Volvo XC40 - Driving the Tough Little Robot

Volvo is entering the C-segment SUV race with the XC40, a compact but tough little robot. Can it take on its premium competitors? I take a drive to render my verdict.
DESIGN STORY: www.formtrends...
SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL - bit.ly/2jBydam
BECOME A MEMBER - www.formtrends....
SUPPORT - / formtrends
FOLLOW:
Facebook - / formtrends
Instagram - / formtrends
Twitter - / formtrends
LinkedIn - / formtrends
Google+ - plus.google.co...
Pinterest - / formtrends
Tumblr - / formtrends

[@FormTrends]

So, what do you think of the Volvo XC40?

[@nou4774]

Great design. Distinct.

[@Mr_Seppo]

There are a basic model also, in sweden anyway, with the T3 engine and manual gearbox with 156 hp.

[@volvocub2629]

XC60 - GONE - XC40 we welcome you!

[@timstepp5512]

I love the exterior but disappointed in interior a bit, not that clean look I expected from the brand, too blackish, and finally went with the Honda CR-V Touring, for some of the features like Adaptive Cruise Control which resumes after a complete stop and the less intrusive head unit later to realize that the Honda too has its bugs like well, it attracts bugs and thus causes the Sensing to fail sometimes. I understand that the Volvo is considered to be a Luxury brand over the Honda but I travel alot and need reliability so had to skip over the XC40 for now.

[@nikzg16]

Interior is top,exterior is good...

[@inakiz9019]

Great review, I like how you explained the design! They barely mention it in all the car reviews

[@DisjointedR]

I'm a little late in finding this review, however it still appears totally relevant to the current iterations of the XC40. Having ordered an XC40 in July 2022 and expecting to collect it very soon, I've watched virtually every related video and read all of the reviews I could find during the past five months. This stands out because it concentrates on design, form and functionality in a way that so many of the 'KZbinr car experts' fail to address. Thanks for this uniquely fresh take on a car review. If I had one disagreement, it would be that I don't think a vehicle like the XC40 is targeted specifically at a particular age range. You mentioned the mid 30s. My experience is that it is ideally suited to a far wider spread of ages. In particular, people in early to mid stages of retirement, where it ticks all of the boxes for practicality, safety, luxury and technology.

[@FormTrends]

Thanks for your comment and feedback. I only mentioned the age group that the manufacturer targeted. There’s always a target demographic specified in the design brief but it’s not always accurate or achieved. Sometimes it appeals to an entirely different type of individual. I’m glad you found the review useful in any case. Hope you enjoy your new car!

[@andreab1604]

Nice car, but regretfully they installed the steering wheel on the wrong side, just a minor early production flaw, I think.

[@andrecarpy6890]

Andrea 1604 what do you mean wrong side, there is no wrong side when it comes to steering wheel placement

[@andreab1604]

it was supposed to be a joke, mate.

[@coletonandmaria]

Made me laugh

[@luisortizgarcia9020]

Youre right. The steering wheel is on top of the roof!

[@phu185]

Great review. Thanks!

[@illeodavinci]

Nice in depth review, subbed

[@FormTrends]

Thanks!

[@Colin623]

Great little car and made in BELGIUM !

[@indykalia8224]

Very comprehensive review! Excellent presenter!

[@zeroman614]

Finally, a real review of this cool car

[@FormTrends]

Thanks Steve Wohlford!

[@hammondthink7947]

Great review! Thorough design review, its a first on youtube.

[@FormTrends]

Thanks man! I do what I can ;)

[@gazhall6233]

im going to look at this car in the next few months i have a shortlist of the outlander the tiguan r line the gla and the x1, this is the most money out of the bunch hopefully its more car for that money, great review

[@olifen86]

gaz hall I drive the new Trigun r line for over a year now. It's a great car, but I'm drooling over this one..

[@andrecarpy6890]

gaz hall its bigger than its competitors

[@volvocub2629]

If it helps try to find out if the outlander STILL only enforces the drivers side for good crash results. But leaves the passenger side to serious injury to save $500 in production costs.

[@stevestojan]

I test drove the X1 and Tiguan before purchasing this. Fully loaded, this is not more than the X1. I was close to buying the X1 just for the BMW badge, then realized how stupid that would be. I absolutely love this vehicle.

[@josingh20]

I test drove Mercedes-Benz GLC, R-line Tiguan, RR Evoque and Audi Q3. This has got the space of the GLC, the premium quality feel of the Q3, killer looks to rival the Evoque and the price of the Tiguan. My downpayment has gone on the D4 R-Design Pro.!!!

[@andyvdw5839]

will do record sales. def in europe and asia. compact suv with style

[@newmotoring]

Top work Eric!

[@ldodom]

I like your style and attention to detail. You've just earned a new subscriber.

[@FormTrends]

Thanks man!! Much appreciated!

[@archiebunker3654]

Very well done.

[@GenericSlick]

Please do more of this!!!

[@FormTrends]

Would love to man! Just need to find the time! :)

[@artagain8977]

Nice but the tablet control set up is unsafe (using it while driving) and frankly a pita to use.

[@Trystan46]

I really like this !

[@FormTrends]

Trystan Williams Thanks Trystan!

[@blakedailey9548]

Each time he said “Lynk & Co” I wondered how many people watching were thinking “When did Volvo merge with Lincoln??” I get why FoMoCo isn’t happy about L&C...

[@zukahud1337]

Target 35??? I'm 24 and want this car .. lmao

[@SpitSomeThinGood]

tiago Miller 28 and I'm saving for it BEAST

[@MarkNeustadt]

I'm 48 and just ordered mine!

[@ryanahearn738]

My moms 52 and is looking to get one haha

[@josingh20]

I'm 35 and I've got the down payment... Already ordered for a build slot in January! 2019!

[@baleyfa]

21 and I’m getting one in January!!

[@isaacautos3147]

Excellent handling very sexy looking. Good job Volvo

[@okankahriman4716]

Which one better XC40 Or DS7

[@FormTrends]

okan kahriman Personally I prefer the XC40. The DS7 is bigger but doesn’t drive as well. Depends on what you’re looking for.

[@johnc007]

Too many jump cuts before you turned the ignition on.

[@markgeller5900]

Unless I missed something, in 23 minutes you didn't sit once in the rear to show us if the packaging is actually sufficient for humans back there?

[@markgeller5900]

Dear Seppo Nurmi: You say "it's bigger than all the others he talked about". I say, show me the packaging, not tell me. I want to see a human back in that seat. No review complete without that.

[@FormTrends]

Sorry Mark Geller, my focus is on design. As I mentioned, the designers and engineers emphasized the comfort of front seat occupants. If you want to know about back seat knee room or 0-60 times there are other reviews that may more readily satisfy your needs. Thanks

[@markgeller5900]

C'mon Eric, I like your reviews. However, you talked about the platform and since when is spacing and packaging not part of a form/design review? That's a pissed off response and uncalled for by a pro like you. I'm told this has the best back seat packaging in this segment, due to the new platform you mentioned. Just would have liked to see you sit back there and see that design, form, function, packaging of the rear also. NO review is complete without that IMO. Just sayin' my man.

[@markgeller5900]

In other words, screw the waste basket and the shopping hooks, lol. Show me the whole package and that really includes the rear seats...if that ain't design, I don't know what is.

[@FormTrends]

Thanks for your feedback. In my years of writing about car design I've never once sat in the back seat with a tape measure. I'll certainly consider adding that in the mix for the next one ;) Cheers!

[@jamestomkinson8474]

It looks so good in all black. Some of the multi colour variants are ugly as sin.

[@samuelgordon6906]

Indeed face volume consideration smart ear stuff illegal grain.

[@Matt561]

Maybe I'm 38 and 6'3

[@rayco353]

I love the look of the car except that it looks like a Nissan Juke from the back.

[@josingh20]

The juke is ugly. This is prism and sleek

[@virgin26]

Looks nothing like it

[@hungryboy424]

Got on nerves before he got the car !

[@jeremy9256824]

This car is going to kill range rover

[@markgeller5900]

Never, there will always be poseurs that need the RR label...and some will not like the ugly little robot, especially since the small RR will now look more like the Velar.

[@johnbower]

Blaa Blaa Blaa

[@cmacd8879]

Reasonably interesting review from the design perspective. But - IMO - reviewing wearing sunglasses is not cool, it is rude. A presenter loses a huge amount of his or her expression when we cannot see the eyes. Would you show up for a job interview wearing sunglasses?

[@FormTrends]

Sorry man. It was sunny. I wear sunglasses when it's sunny ;)

[@Painfulwhale360]

C Macd Rude? Dude, just shut up.

[@fredyyfredfreddy]

That sounds like crap, oh wait that was my sound system.

[@autolitics]

love the design discussion. but this video is way... too... long.

[@FormTrends]

Thanks for the feedback man. I'll work on making future videos shorter. Cheers!

[@משהמזור-ק3ח]

גם פה מספרים לנו ספורים על המכונית רק לא את כל האמת וחבל ישראל היא המדינה היחידה בעולם שהמכוניות בה לא מתורגמות לשפה העברית אין עוד מדינה בעולם שהמכוניות בה לא מתורגמות לשפתם של אותה מדינה וחבל שהיבואן בישראל לא דואג לקונים בישראל

[@4christiankyle]

יום אחד כל העולם יכיר ויכבד את ישראל.

[@alancarter8396]

Likes the sound of his own voice. Boring

[@myslecinaczej8674]

The design is ugly to some and nice to the others - it is subjective but definitely this car is not elegant like his bigger brothers. What is really important besides design? Practicality and safety, comfort and ergonomy. You admire the C-pillar design? Welll...actually it is one of the worst design features on this vehicle! It does compromise the visibilty so much! Look at a Subaru and see how it shall be done for practicality and safety! Interior practicality features are barely acceptable: the door pockets are not that big as presented (try to put a big bottle into it!), BMW does it better, at least on some SUVs. Rear seats are not adjustable, inclination adjustment not possible. Rear door sun shades are not avilable! We are in 2018 so premium cars shall be better equippped than mass production ones! It is not the case. Thre is actually nothing exceptional on premium cars to really differentiate them from non-premium products. Well, possibly pericived material quality it is an exception.

[@garyjohnson8120]

I love the C-pillar on this!

[@myslecinaczej8674]

well...it is about visibility/safety vs. personal opinion about design (it is difficult to argue about the latter- you just like it!)

[@garyjohnson8120]

Honestly, with the blind spot monitoring system, parking sensors and the surround/backup camera, it's really no big deal at all. That's the whole point of these systems anyway. Once you get used to relying on them, you are not aware of any lack of visibility associated with design.

[@volvocub2629]

Gurl did you see Subaru’s passenger side crash test? Look it up, Subaru values their passengers lives at less than $500 (the savings they had not enforcing the passenger side to achieve the same good results of the drivers side)

[@myslecinaczej8674]

I have not seen that. Could you pint me to a link? I have only seen great results for recent Subaru's from both EU and US safety agencies. BTW...I drive both a Volvo and a Subaru! So I am not promoting one against the other - I just like both brands.

[@KK-do4lh]

XC40 is made in China lol

[@Colin623]

K. Koba no, it’s made in Belgium !

[@DenyBlackburn]

Porsche is made in Romania!

[@sweetfreedomGB]

Flimsy girls car