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Estate
Think Volvo and you probably think big, all-accommodating estate cars, but this one is a bit different. The V40 is more of a 'lifestyle' estate than a hardcore load carrier.
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True, the rear seats fold quickly and easily to extend the load area - which will cope with most family clutter - just don't try taking up antiques dealing. On older cars built before mid-2000, the ride and handling have a particularly ancient feel. However, steering feel, body-control and comfort did improve when Volvo revised the chassis. There is a wide range of engines to choose from, but although the diesels are economical, sadly they're not particularly refined. Equipment is good across the whole range, as is safety, with the V40 scoring a - then - maximum four-star Euro NCAP rating. The cabin looks good in the usual Volvo big-button tradition, but build quality could be better on early versions.
Running Costs
The petrol engines can run to 12,000 miles or a year - whichever comes first - before needing attention. The diesels operate to a slightly shorter time span, requiring a service every 10,000 miles. That's not too bad and, if you take your V40 to an official Volvo dealer, the hourly rates shouldn't work out more expensive than having, say, a Focus worked on by a Ford dealer. Independent Volvo specialists tend to be pricier than the class average, though. For sheer fuel economy, the diesel engines can't be beaten, returning 50 to 52mpg. However, the 1.8 GDI petrol engine's economy is attractive, with an official 41mpg, but it needs dearer super unleaded fuel to get the best from it. The T4 is easily the most thirsty and will return a real-world mid-20s mpg if used hard. It also suffers from Group 15 insurance and even the cheapest V40 to insure is rated at highish group 8.