TEST DRIVE: VOLVO V40 T4 1.6 - Tested the high specification V40 T5 Cross Country, so how does this entry level V40 fare?

I was handed the keys to a Volvo V40 T4 1.6 automatic recently. The V40 T4 is a C segment sized hatchback that sits on the premium end of what you'd pay for a small family hatchback. It costs from around RM175,888 and actually sits in a spot which could get you a Honda Accord 2.4, an Audi A3, a Hyundai Santa Fe and a lot of cars that come from various categories within this technically higher priced vehicle segment. It however is Volvo's entry level product here in Malaysia and as it is a Volvo, it is premium automotive brand. Hence the entry price.

Anyway, I recently tried the V40 T5 Cross Country and it was an absolute blast. So much character and refinement from that package. That car could actually be the most refined premium hatchback sold in Malaysia to date so I was quite curious to find out how the entry level V40 would perform.

It is cheaper than the RM200k V40 T5 Cross Country. It comes without all the extra addenda that comes with the Cross Country. On the outside, you get normal car ride height, very much less plastic cladding, no roof rails and smaller 205 series tyres on 16 inch wheels. It still has the sporty looking twin exhaust at each side of the bumper though. A good thing in terms of street cred. But in the black colour shown and tested here, I hardly noticed the difference between the T4 and T5 due to the colour. Or lack of colour actually. So this simple fact benefits the more affordable T4 over the T5. 

I feel the V40 is that it is a well styled hatchback with lots of character lines that does not shine if thecar is black. It needs brighter colours that contrast with the lines and paneling. It may be based on the Ford/ Volvo Global C platform but it has so many design touches that it is a more intriguing looking design than the similar sized and shaped Ford Focus. It should, as it is most expensive than the Ford. One of the nicer looking hatchbacks out there too actually.

Inside you do not get the funky driver selectable LCD display for the meter cluster like in the T5. Everything is analouge instead of digital. The infotainment system also gets a smaller screen with less gadgetry. You also get a very monotonous interior with a lot of black. No two toned leather like the higher specced cars of course. There are bits of aluminium or painted aluminium trim to brighten things up slightly. Very slightly. The usual Volvo traits are here like the floating centre console and the very comfy and grippy seats. Very stylish in terms of design, but not as 'blingy' as the higher specced T5 cars of some other of the premium brand hatchbacks. Still very well screwed together nonetheless. Of course, it IS cheaper so it has less toys.

The slim looking front seats are fabulously comfortable items that are firm enough to support you yet comfortable enough. The V40 seats are some of the best in the business and add to the driving pleasure. Ergonomics are excellent with a nice feel on all of the switchgear and buttons. The almost monotone black interior is actually soothing as nothing jumps out at you. I am divided. At the same time I'd like more colour and vice versa. Maybe the seats need more colour so that it looks good just when I see it just as I am about to get in but once seated, I don't see the colours. Or maybe a bit more aluminium trim here and there. 

Whilst it may be the smallest Volvo you can buy it isn't powered by a puny engine. You still get a proper engine. The 1.6liter Ecoboost engine is the same one Ford puts inside some of its cars. Volvo was owned by Ford up till 2012 when the V40 was first launched. So this is the reason why the V40 uses a lot of Ford bits. You can even see some of the similar Ford based switchgear in Volvo interiors that are also used in Jaguar which Ford sold off sometime in 2008. Nothing wrong with having the heart and skeleton of a Ford as they actually make good engines and platforms.

The 1.6liter turbocharged petrol engine is a double overhead camshaft 16 valve direct injection variable valve timing engine. In other words it has everything good to make decent power from a small 4 cylinder engine. The Malaysian specced cars make 180hp and 240Nm. Power is then transmitted to the front wheels via a dual clutch automatic gearbox. Overall refinement levels are good. It is quiet with the 1.6liter engine vocal only when you want it to be (but a little coarse right at the redline). I tested it and it would do the 0-100kmh dash in around 8.7seconds and would easily hit 210kmh if you had enough road ahead of you. It has more than enough performance for a family of four to head anywhere quickly. Not really rapid, but adequately brisk for most of us on a daily basis.

 It also has the eco-friendly start-stop function which I will always try and remember to turn off everytime I start up the car. This is usual in cars these days. I do wish they had a permanent override switch built into the system.

THE DRIVE EXPERIENCE

I however have to say that this car begs for larger tyres than the 205 series tyres this car has. It may not be a 0-100kmh scorcher, but it really like doing wheel spins when the road conditions are less than dry. It will spin an inside wheel when accelerating hard out of a corner with the traction control light blinking away. Somehow not all of the power is transmitted to the road. A lack of grip at the front end under heavy acceleration.

And then there's the handling. The car actually works so well on the twisty bits that I find myself wanting more grip to really hurl the V40 T4 into the turns and bends. No high riding , high center of gravity Cross Country setting or a heavier 5 cylinder stuffed up front to push the nose wide. This actually makes the V40 T4 a sweet handling car. The V40 T4 tucks in neatly into a corner under braking and the front end does not wash out under power. It tucks in and then It pivots nicely mid corner like its on a central axis point. Front turn in is good with the rear actually coming round a bit faster through the corner. Very, very balanced with good steering weighting and some feel too. But if you're seeking for that last extra bit, you will find that it is limited by the 205/55/16 tyre width obviously. A narrow tyre in this day and age. Especially for the amount of torque at play these days. Even a high speed dash is good until around 190kmh where you can feel the slightly higher profile tyres wobbling slightly under you. It needs the fatter and lower profile tyres if you want to go crazy in one.

Of course don't mind me. It is just the enthusiast in me that want all of these little bits. The car is actually pretty good fun as it is. It will still make a nice sunday morning drive very rewarding. Tyre costs are lower due to its common size and the ride is actually good too. In and around the Klang Valley it is cosy and comfy. No issues from potholes, bumps and humps. Even the people in the rear seats will find it a comfortable place to be.

 It is a refined ride worthy of its premium tag. Even the dual clutch is surprisingly smooth. You would need to modulate the throttle pedal a bit more gently in the wet as initial power delivery is a wee bit enthusiastic. It the dry everything works fine and the shifts are smooth. You'd think that this was a traditional automatic transmission instead of a dual clutch. Only up a very steep slope (think a near 45degree angle) that you'd notice a slight judder on the initial start. The gears change smoothly and it is rapid if you want it to be. No pedal shifters here though. If you want to use the manual mode you have to use the gear shifter.

I also have to say that I particularly like the BLIS or Volvo blind spot indicator that is installed in all of their cars. It actually works well and it has a bright orange light set into the inside of the side mirrors (see the photo above). Clearly visible and warns the driver of a vehicle approaching from the sides. Makes changing lanes and the overall safety of the car so much more than most cars on sale here in Malaysia today.

The Volvo V40 T4 1.6 is a well thought out vehicle. Worthy of its premium badging and worthy of being purchased by anyone out there. I am actually surprised that more aren't taken up by this car if they wanted a compact family hatchback with some premium branding in it. It may not be as smooth as the larger T5 2.0. But it is as smooth as any of the German competitors out there or even better. Of course we Malaysians are a traditional lot. Resale value and somehow the notion that European cars are expensive to maintain always comes into play. But right now the Warranty and free service packages for Volvo cars are quite good. These cars shouldn't be an issue for at least 5 or 6 years of ownership. And going by the way it drives and performs, it could be a very enjoyable length of ownership. 

In short, the entry level V40 is something pleasantly nice to have that has the brand, prestige, luxury features, good ride and more....But the performance driver in me wants larger wheels for more grip and handling. I suppose that sums it up for me

Pros: Refinement, fantastic seats, good equipment levels for an entry level premium car, handling is good even on the family oriented tyre size, Blind spot indicator (BLIS) is a fabulous safety feature, looks, good ergonomics, smooth gearbox for a dual clutch, lots of useful space for passengers, plush interior, exterior styling....

Cons: ...but don't buy it in black, handling begs for wider tyres and wheels, wheelspin when its less than dry (again, larger tyres?), interior a little too mundane compared to the T5 model, the facelift is just out in Europe - this gets new front lights and a larger Volvo logo on the grille but not much else outside 

Conclusion

After trying out this V40 T4 and the T5 Cross Country, I have to believe that the best would be the normal T5 2.0. The middle child of this V40 Malaysian lineup. It would get the larger tyres and wheels lacking here and the normal ride height that the Cross Country does not have (for it to properly handle well). It would also get that larger 2.0liter super smooth 5 cylinder that would make it the most refined hatchback on sale here (until Volvo Car Malaysia runs out of stock and the T5 Drive-E with a new Volvo 2.0liter 4 cylinder takes over).

This T4 is actually good enough but the enthusiast in me would certainly want the more powerful 2.0liter version. And so....the T4 is good for the commute to and from the office due to its size and ample performance. But it would be a good second car for the family or for the wife to use as it is actually a premium car yet it looks understated enough to avoid unnecessary attention from bad elements. Recommended for those who want something different, with adequate performance (not outright performance).

NOTE: Those that want a factory upgrade that could go with the warranty is Volvo Car Malaysia's VOLVO V40 R-DESIGN SPORT Package at RM17,887 (while stocks last obviously). The only issue is that the RM175k V40 T4 comes close to the RM190k T5 once you add that in. So ust buy the T5 which comes with 17inch wheels and tyres. Or don't bother and you have a more affordable Volvo that is still a competent car out of the box.

It comes with:

Ailos complete wheels with 225/45 R18 Tyres - Diamond cut / dark grey matt, lime

Mirror Door Covers

Rear Diffuser (cars with rear Park Assist)

End Pipes chrome finish

VOLVO V40 T4 1.6 Automatic

Price as tested: RM175,888++ (there should be ready offers and rebates right now. Ask the nearest dealer for details)

Specification

Engine: 1.6liter 4-cylinder direct injection turbo petrol engine with start/stop technology

Transmission: Front Wheel Drive, 6 speed dual clutch automatic transmission with tiptronic sport mode (no paddle shifters)

Power: 180hp / 240Nm torque

Weight 1521kg

Performance

0-100kmh: 8.7seconds (tested)

Max Speed: slightly over 210kmh .

Equipment:

push start

automatic climate control,

auto wipers,

auto lights

sound/infotainment system with a 5-inch colour screen – USB, Bluetooth, wifi connectivity

false boot floor,

fold-flat rear seats

Reverse sensor

Cruise Control

BLIS – blind spot warning (very useful)

Cross Traffic Alert

City Safety which works up to 50 kmh

Dynamic Stability and Traction Control

Torque Vectoring

Active Bending Lights

airbags – lots of them. It's a Volvo.

complete safety kit.

Warranty and Service packages:

Five-year free servicing, inclusive of parts

five-year factory warranty plus Volvo On-Call service for the same period