Volvo V40 Cross Country Review

Written by Andrew Brady

7/10
heycar ratingFamily hatch gets off-road treatment
  • 2013
  • Family hatch
  • Petrol, Diesel

Quick overview

Pros

  • Crossover version of the Volvo V40
  • Efficient diesel engines
  • Superb cabin with some rugged flourishes

Cons

  • Not going to get you far off-road
  • Fairly rare on the used market
  • You could say it’s a little pointless...

Overall verdict

"It’d be all too easy to criticise the V40 Cross Country. On paper you’d think paying extra and getting nothing but new bumpers is a waste of money, but the smoother ride and attractive styling only add to the appeal of an already accomplished car. If you’re tempted by the looks, don’t let the lack of all-wheel drive put you off."

Volvo V40 Cross Country Front

These days, Volvo’s tougher, off-road all-wheel-drive models are badged 'XC', with the desirable XC90 topping the range. So why is the V40 version called Cross Country rather than XC40? Because despite chunky styling and increased ride height, it’s really a regular Volvo V40 hatchback in rough-and-tumble clothes.


So is it a fraud? Well that depends what you compare it with. Cars like the Nissan Qashqai, Volkswagen Tiguan and similar ‘crossovers’ are just as deceptive – they look like 4x4s but often are actually front-wheel drive


The reality is that most people will rarely need all-wheel drive, even if they tow caravans or cross fields. There are benefits to sticking with front-wheel drive too – like cheaper running costs and better fuel consumption.


The V40 Cross Country costs more than the equivalent standard V40 and while that doesn’t get you four-wheel drive, it does get you a rugged looking machine. The ride height has been increased by 40mm, while the bumpers and sills sport silver brush guards and black details. It’s all finished off with repositioned LED running lights and is arguably the snappiest looker in the already handsome V40 range.


That extra ride height is supposed to be cosmetic, but it actually has the knock-on effect of improving ride – there’s a little more suspension travel and so the V40 Cross Country irons out creases and potholes in the road more smoothly than its regular counterpart, although the steering response is a little duller.


Not so dull as to ruin it, though – it handles corners and tight roundabouts well, rolling just the tiniest amount. It’s a confident car, and while keener drivers might not find it particularly rewarding most will enjoy how easy it is to drive – all of the controls are seamlessly smooth.


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Not many is the answer. Small hatchbacks with off-road pretensions are few and far between, although who can forget the Rover Streetwise. If you want something four-wheel drive, the Subaru Impreza offers strong capability while for off road looks, the Ford Focus Active is natural, albeit newer, alternative. Alternatively you could look at something like the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack.

Comfort and design

"Aside from chunky details the Cross Country is the same as a normal V40 hatch. The cabin is spacious and neatly laid out plus there’s plenty of safety gear – the V40 scored the highest rating ever in Euro NCAP crash tests. There are also some really neat touches like an extra washer nozzle, which comes in handy for clearing stubborn residue off the screen."

Volvo V40 Cross Country interior

Light and airy though the cabin is, it’s not that roomy in the back. The door apertures aren’t huge and taller passengers will struggle for head and legroom. There are some problems with the boot too – it’s pretty high up, which will make lifting heavy items in and out fairly tricky.


Those criticisms are easy to forgive though, because the cabin is so neatly put together and pleasingly trimmed, with an array of material options including something that looks and feels like a wet-suit. The majority of materials are up there with BMW or Audi, but everything is refreshingly different, thanks to flourishes like a frameless rear view mirror and a transparent gear knob.

Handling and engines

"The entry-level 115PS D2 diesel engine manages a respectable 74.3mpg according to the official figures. Emissions are 99g/km, which means zero VED and congestion charge exemption, yet unlike most entry-level engines it’s perfectly likeable. It’s smooth, quiet and refined, plus if you keep it between 1750rpm and 2500rpm it offers decent performance."

Volvo V40 Cross Country driving

There are also D3 and D4 models, but for most the D2 should prove more than adequate. Volvo also offers a 180PS T4 petrol and a 254PS T5 petrol – the latter does actually come with all-wheel drive, although it’s designed for keeping the car on the road, not for climbing mountains. 

MPG and fuel costs

"The Volvo V40 Cross Country will be fairly cheap to run no matter which diesel engine you choose."

Volvo V40 Cross Country rear

All models should be capable of returning close to 50mpg in the real world.

Trim levels and standard equipment

"SE has City safety pack, climate control, leather steering wheel, handbrake and gear lever, 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth, MP3 compatible audio, cruise control, automatic wipers and push button start."

Volvo V40 Cross Country side profile

SE Lux adds leather upholstery, xenon lights, 17-inch alloy wheels and ambient lighting.