Frankly, Volvo never fails to surprise me. This time round, it was the fact that somewhere up front is a pedestrian airbag and no, we took the experience no further than believing the sales staff who so informed us. Co-driver Marcel Loporto suggested I stand in front of the car while he tested the speed with which the airbag would deflect.

I was more interested in the anti-whiplash front seats. If all cars were so fitted, our insurance premiums would drop like stones in a pond, because whiplash claims have risen like rockets over the past decade, simply because it’s extremely difficult to prove situations whereby whiplash actually occurs.

The visual examination of this car is a dynamic experience; and when you consider that various exterior bits and pieces can be added to what appears to be a pretty good-looking and very well put-together family car, one is tempted to think that the buying public is wealthy beyond the dreams of avarice.

I also noted the low-profile tyres sitting on large [17”] wheels. These are, by no means, disproportionate but, with my driving inclinations, I would always prefer a smaller wheel rim without low profiles and hence less damage to the tyres when venturing onto less seemly roads.

The V40 is amazingly comfortable and the cabin is very well set up with all the necessary aids when travelling long distances.

The boot is of a very reasonable size, able to cope with holiday luggage and four or five passengers, and of course the rear seat back folds forward to allow serious shopping trips to be performed.

Passenger cells always fascinate me, and the Scandinavian countries produce some of the safest interiors around. The V4 has ultra strong boron steel in the safety cage and a chassis that was fine tuned over thousands of hours to give an agile, fun driving experience through busy town streets, twisty country roads, and yes the chassis is delightfully tuned for our own specially designed rural roads. Of course it can also provide the élan and enjoyment on motorways at speeds somewhat higher than our own magnificent 80kph.

There are three driving expressions: eco, economy and performance; not surprisingly, the increase in mileage, when driving properly in eco mode, against performance is quite extraordinary.

The V40 is amazingly comfortable and the cabin has all the aids for long distances

Yes, the brakes are large and remarkably efficient; 15” discs are pretty large. The car is, of course, as safe as Volvo can make it. For engineering reasons, the ABS, anti- locking brakes are normal and come with Emergency Brake Assist. There is also an Intelligent Driver Information System 1, Dynamic Stability Traction Control and Advanced Stability Control.

Come to a stop and the Stop/Start function comes into play. Get fed up with playing with the throttle, switch into Cruise Control and there is also an Adjustable Speed Limiter. However, the large, digital read-out with the engine revs displayed in an outer rim really tells the driver – sunk deep in leather upholstery, leather steering wheel, handbrake and gear change coming readily to hand – that speed and speed cameras should hold no fear for the Volvo driver.

Among an onboard plethora of interesting trinkets, the ticket holder is pleasantly useful in the local context, as are the various interior lights and storage areas.

Attention to detail is important and the V40 has a first aid kit, a triangle, a load protection net, a 12 V power outlet, and a Tempa spare tyre.

The inboard electronic media connections are fantastic and, of course, the fully adjustable front seats with blind spot information system and a height/length adjustment on the steering ensured all was as it should be before the test was conducted. Electrics and electronics play an ever more important part in the contemporary motoring scene. Suffice it to say that the V40 comes with all the expected aids, including built-in memory for the expected in-car necessities.

The first impression on moving off is one of comfort in the way the car feels vis-à-vis road conditions. This car is really put together to be as safe as possible before the driver adds the input necessary to keep moving in comfortable [air-conditioned] safety.

This is a grand touring car, neatly sitting in the ‘middle management’ package, where a car needs to be of a certain design to allow visiting dignitaries, as well as family or office colleagues ample comfort and safety when motoring hard and fast.

It is a model easy to like, easy to drive well and, most certainly, easy on the eye. A really great car for our local conditions, be they in summer sun or winter mud.

Verdict

Comfort
Firm suspension and positive steering ensure that the car is comfortable and able to handle poor road conditions well.

Performance
More than adequate, but no way near the fastest in the range.

Cool
This V40 would be insulted if described as cool.

Quality
Impressive is the word.

At a glance

Top speed
190kph.

0-100kph
11.9 seconds with manual 6- speed gear change.

Economy
Mixed cycle, a very frugal 3.4 litres per 100km travelled.

C02
Only 88g/kilometre travelled with this Euro 5 engine.

Engine
1.6-litre common rail diesel, developing 115bhp at 3600rpm and 270Nm of torque [pulling power] from 1,750-2,500rpm.

Dimensions
Where can you park it? Length: 4369mm; width: mirrors folded, 1,783mm; height: 1,420mm.

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