Volvo V40 D4 Inscription 2016 review

Alistair Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2016 Volvo V40 D4 Inscription with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

The V40 is the smallest vehicle in Volvo's Australian range. A five-door hatchback it competes in the premium small-medium category facing up against prestige German models such as the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A- and B-Class. 

Although the current V4 has been around in its current guise since 2013 it is one of the most stylish cars on the road as well as being one of the most intelligent and safest. The latter no surprise given the Swedish company's long-established emphasis on safety.

Styling

The sleek, almost coupe-like, roofline doesn't make it easy to get in and out of the V40 and taller drivers may need to set the seat height to its lower limit. Legroom in the rear is adequate and shoulder space is not overly cramped for three people of average build.

The current (MY2017) V40 Australian range was released in September 2016 with a minor facelift. The undoubted highlight is the new headlights that feature daytime running lights that run across the centre. Because of their shape they have been given the delightfully Scandinavian name of the 'Hammer of Thor'. The headlight beams swivel into corners.

Ergonomic design and simplicity abound inside the Volvo V40's cabin.

The only other changes are a new grille mesh design and the latest Volvo 'Iron Mark' logo in the centre of the grille. 

Ergonomic design and simplicity abound inside the Volvo V40's cabin. There are quality materials throughout. Below the armrest is a storage compartment suitable for small items, while the glove compartment includes space for two cans or bottles. The latter are cooled by air from the climate control system.

There's plenty of choice in the 2017 Volvo V40 range with a total of six variants including petrol and diesel engines; front- and all-wheel drive and three specification levels.

 Prices range from $36,500 for the front-wheel-drive T3 Momentum through to $50,990 for the Cross Country (all-wheel drive R-Design).

Engines and transmissions

There are five different power and torque outputs across the six models, two petrol and three diesel. All are turbocharged and with torque levels between 250Nm and 400Nm depending on the model.

The V40 D2 gets a 1.5-litre diesel with outputs of 88kW and 280Nm. All others have 2.0-litre engines with different levels of tune. The lower-specced of the petrol engines in the T3 has more power (112kW) but less torque (250Nm); the D4 diesel has 140kW of power and, with 400Nm (from 1750rpm), has the most torque of any model. The T4 sits mid-range with 140kW and 300Nm.

The most powerful engine, used in the T5 R-Design and Cross Country models, peaks at 180kW with torque of 350Nm. 

The D2, T3 and T4 have six-speed adaptive automatic transmission, the D4 and T5 get eight-speed autos. All models have Sport mode, paddle shifters and emission-reducing stop/start technology.

Multimedia

The Volvo Sensus multimedia system uses either a 5.0 or 7.0-inch colour screen, depending on the model, in the upper instrument panel. All functions can be operated from the steering wheel or via controls located directly below the screen.

With the optional multimedia audio system, Volvo Sensus steps up to a 7.0-inch screen that also displays information and images from the navigation system, phone, reversing camera, DVD player and more.

A new digital instrument cluster directly in front of the driver uses a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) crystal display to present the most important information in any situation.

The Volvo has smooth acceleration thanks not only to the design of the engine, but also because of impressively fast gear shifts.

The driver can choose between three graphic themes: Elegance, a traditional amber illumination; Eco, a green background illumination, designed to create an environmentally-inspired look; and Performance, with a sporting red lighting.

Vehicle speed is shown digitally in the centre of the display. The right display includes a power meter – a gauge that informs the driver how much power is available and how much power is being used at any time.

Safety

Standard across the V40 range are seven airbags; ABS brakes with emergency braking, hydraulic brake assist and electronic brake distribution; advanced stability control with corner traction control; roll-over protection; front seat whiplash protection. 

Additional safety features include lane departure warning; lane keeping aid; forward collision warning; active high beam control; adaptive cruise control; blind spot warning; and cross traffic alert. 

A couple of stand-out features are Volvo City Safety and Pedestrian Airbag Technology. The former, which was pioneered by Volvo, is now being taken up by many other car makers. Using sensors and cameras the car 'looks' down for pedestrians and other risks and if need be applies full auto braking. It can avoid, or at least minimise, collisions at speeds up to 50 km/h.

Pedestrian Airbag Technology is another breakthrough safety development. Seven sensors in the front of the car transmit signals to a control unit. When the car hits an object, the signals change, and if the car 'thinks' the object is a human leg the pedestrian protection system reacts. The bonnet rear hinges are released and the bonnet lifts to get it away from the hard surfaces under it. The pedestrian airbag is activated. The airbag covers the entire windscreen-wiper recess, about a third of the windscreen and the lower part of the A-pillars.

Other safety features include reversing camera; front and rear parking sensors; park assist pilot. Convenience items include height and reach adjustable steering wheel; adjustable speed limiter; and hill start assist.

Driving

Our test car was the diesel-powered D4 Inscription with the optional Polestar Performance Parts pack. For around $10,000 it adds both extra performance and sportier styling. Included in the pack are engine software optimisation that increases power from 140 to 147kW and torque from 400 to 440Nm; stainless steel exhaust; rear diffuser; sports air filter; coil springs; 19-inch lightweight rims; rear spoiler; black door mirrors; and sports pedals. 

The low driving position, large C-pillar and small rear window combine to make reversing awkward - we feel the reversing camera and all-round sensors are a must in the V40.

Steering is direct and produces positive feedback of the type that's enjoyed by enthusiastic drivers.

The Volvo has smooth acceleration thanks not only to the design of the engine, but also because of impressively fast gear shifts.

The stiffer suspension worked well on bitumen surfaces, although the ride was a tad harsh on some of our local rural roads.

Steering is direct and produces positive feedback of the type that's enjoyed by enthusiastic drivers. Electrical power assistance can be optioned in three ways: City, with a high degree of power support for easy manoeuvring; Normal offers more road response at higher speeds; and Sport, adds a dynamic character. 

Fuel consumption is listed at 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the standard D4. The combination of some occasional vigorous and the inclusion of the Polestar pack saw us averaging 7.8L/100km during our week-long test.