Volvo has made a name for itself as the safe and secure choice for your family motor. The V40 hatchback is the brand’s entry-level car and, as such, it’s unsurprisingly the best-selling car in its stable.
It’s recently undergone a mid-life refresh, so it now has the ‘Thor’s hammer’ headlights first seen on the XC90, as well as minor aesthetic tweaks such as a new grille mesh design and updated Volvo logo.
Elsewhere, buyers have the option of five new exterior paint colours and eight new alloy wheel designs. Engines remain largely the same as before, but the economy-focused D2 diesel has been reworked to improve efficiency.
Have these styling tweaks piqued your V40 interest? To save you the hassle of cross-checking trim levels, we’ve done the leg work for you to make choosing the right hatchback Volvo even easier.
The smart choice for saving money – Momentum D2
The Momentum trim is your entry to the V40 range. The T2 petrol engine is actually the least expensive model, but the D2 diesel will save you in the long run. It has been refined to offer CO2 emissions of just 89g/km on top of the impressive fuel economy figure of 78mpg.
Because Volvo’s big on safety – it aims to have no one die or even get seriously injured in one of its cars by 2020 – even the lower specification models come with some impressive technology.
Key among the myriad safety features is the manufacturer’s ‘City Safety’ package, which comes as standard. It constantly analyses the car’s surroundings to help avoid crashes and can sense if you’re going to hit an object, activating the brakes to avoid this happening if necessary. Volvo claims that insurance companies offer low premiums for its cars because of this tech.
Other standard features include LED headlights with daytime running lights, climate control with pollen filters and heated door mirrors. The Volvo V40 D2 Momentum starts at £22,005 OTR.
The smart choice for value – Inscription D2
If you don’t mind spending a bit extra to get more for your money, the next trim level up is your best bet. Each engine option comes in at less than £3,000 over the equivalent Momentum version, but the extra kit is impressive and if you’re buying on finance the added monthly payments should be minimal.
If performance isn’t an issue, go for the D2 diesel engine again to save on road tax and long-term fuel costs.
Building on the Momentum’s specification, Inscription V40s come with leather upholstery and aluminium trim pieces, a TFT crystal driver’s screen and Volvo’s Sensus Connect infotainment and navigation system.
Exterior upgrades include 17-inch alloy wheels, a slightly redesigned front grille with chrome inserts and chrome window surrounds. There are also rear parking assist, cruise control and automatic windscreen wipers to make driving less taxing.
The Volvo V40 D2 Inscription starts at £24,885 OTR.
The smart choice for technophiles – R-Design Pro T5
For those seeking technology and innovation, look no further than the R-Design Pro models. Sitting at the top of the range, they come with an impressive specification.
On the outside, R-Design splitters are fitted to the front and rear, a redesigned grille adorns the front of the car and 18-inch alloy wheels differentiate it from less sporty variants.
Inside, there are sports seats upholstered in leather, sports-inspired pedals and tinted windows.
For an engine that matches the sporty appearance of the car, it has to be the T5 petrol. Making 241bhp, it’s essentially a quasi-hot hatch that still manages nearly 50mpg, so running costs won’t break the bank.
It’s the most expensive car in the range at £32,015 OTR, but that’s the price you pay for demanding cool technology!