Category Archives: Manufacturer

Executive, SUV, Volvo

XC40 a premium, safe, sensible petrol powered SUV

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Volvo XC40 B3 Plus

By Bill McCarthy

There was a time when a Volvo meant vast estates with the aerodynamic grace of a garden shed. They were revered for safety: rolling fortresses and pioneers of the three-point seatbelt and side-impact protection. That reputation endures in the latest models. Volvo has softened its 2030 electric-only goal and now aims for 90–100% electrified sales by 2030. Plug-in hybrids and mild hybrids remain, with no fixed end date for combustion. This mild-hybrid petrol sits in that pragmatic bridge.

Despite Volvo calling the XC40 a cousin to its larger SUVs, it is a chip off the same block: premium, tech-rich and, higher up, available with all-wheel drive.

Exterior: boxy but premium

Style-wise, it features the now-signature “Thor’s Hammer” LED lights, stylish clusters and striking alloys. The exterior is boxy yet modern, with clean lines, a high beltline and a neatly sculpted rear, giving it a smart, compact premium presence.

Interior: minimalist, comfortable and tech-rich

Step inside and the XC40  and the suede and Microtech upholstery feels posh yet tough and a smashing leather alternative. The cabin’s clean, calm and uncluttered, classic Swedish through and through. 

You sit up high with big windows all round, so visibility good, and the neat little gear selector keeps the centre console tidy. A nine-inch touchscreen runs Google Automotive Services, with Google Maps and live traffic – though for connectivity, your phone still needs a USB lead. The 12.3-inch driver’s display is sharp, but I’d happily swap a few menus for some proper buttons. Two-zone climate control, heated front seats, a power tailgate and a rear parking camera with sensors all come as standard.

Comfort is where it really scores. The front seats are supportive and pleasantly firm – just the right side of cosy – with plenty of adjustment . You perch up high with a commanding view, and long journeys slip by easy. The cabin feels light and airy, though room is at a premium in the back seats  – fine for kids and shorter trips, but not the last word in legroom.

Powertrain and performance

Under the bonnet sits a 1,969cc turbocharged four-pot mild-hybrid petrol powerplant. It’s a smooth unit deliver 163hp and 265Nm – and it sends power to the front wheels through an automatic that shifts without fuss. 

It’s no speedster. Volvo quotes 0–62mph in 8.6 seconds and a 112mph top end, which is plenty for merging, overtaking and getting away from an emergency, but it won’t pin you to your seat. Claimed economy is 39.2–42.7mpg, but my test run came in nearer 37mpg. 

For company car drivers CO₂ of 149–164g/km lands it in the 35% BIK bracket. 

On the road

Out on the road, the first thing that strikes you is just how refined it feels. The engine goes about its business quietly and smoothly, all polished manners, and it’d really rather you didn’t thrash it. Ask for a burst of speed and it’ll oblige – quick enough to nip into a gap or overtake without a sweat – but it never feels properly fast. 

Through a Peak District journey, it was composed rather than racy, with responsive steering and tidy body control. It’s set up for comfort, not for carving throught corners. Where it really earns its keep is on the motorway where a long journey it settles into a relaxed, easy gait. Road noise is kept well in check, and the ride stays comfortable at motorway speeds. Not a hot hatch, then – more a comfy armchair on wheels.

Practicality and ownership

The XC40 is genuinely practical. The 443-litre boot swallows a weekly shop, weekend-away bags or decent-sized loads for the local tip. Cost-wise it is competitive but not class-leading: £40,260 for Plus trim is fair, yet it faces many talented premium rivals.

Safety

Safety is the standout. City Safety with Steering Support watches for pedestrians, cyclists and cars, even at junctions. Oncoming Lane Mitigation steers you back if you drift over the centre line, while Run-off Road Protection tightens the seatbelts if you leave the road.

The verdict

The XC40 B3 Plus isn’t the fastest or flashiest compact SUV, but it doubles down on Volvo’s strengths: safety, style and sensible luxury. It’s willing rather than quick, and the 35% BIK rating will rule it out for some company drivers. Still, it charms with a premium cabin and excellent infotainment. For families prioritising calm and safety over pace, it’s one of the most reassuring compact SUVs on sale – and proof that safety and style can go hand in hand.

Factfile

Model: Volvo XC40 B3 Plus
Price: £40,260
Mechanical: 163hp (165 PS), 265Nm, 1,969cc turbocharged four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol, driving the front wheels via an automatic transmission
Max speed: 112 mph
0 to 62mph: 8.6 sec
Combined mpg: 39.2–42.7 mpg claimed; approx. 37 mpg on test
Insurance group: Not quoted
CO₂ emissions: 149–164 g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

Family hatchback, Hyundai, Motoring, Supermini

Hyundai’s spacious and well equipped supermini

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Hyundai i20 1.0 T-GDi 90 PS Tech Line

By Bill McCarthy

I have driven a few i20s over the years, from the entry-level cars to the firecracker i20 N. Time and again, they’ve proved worthy. It’s one of the most rounded superminis on sale.

With the 1.0-litre turbocharged 90 PS petrol engine, it promises low running costs without stripping out equipment. It isn’t a hot hatch – except maybe for the now-departed N – but it’s a genuinely likeable, practical, economical everyday car.

It’s been a familiar sight on the roads for a few years now. There’s a new model on the way but in the meantime, the current car is still worth a look.

Performance and driving

Under the bonnet is a 998cc three-cylinder turbo petrol producing 90 PS.. It drives the front wheels through a six-speed intelligent manual gearbox, which can decouple the engine when coasting to save fuel. 

The numbers are modest: 0-62mph in about 11.5 seconds and a 112mph top speed. Yet it feels quicker than that. The rasp of the three-pot engine gives a sporty feel when you floor it, even if the figures don’t bear it out. It’s eager enough around town, the gearbox shifts cleanly, and the light steering makes city driving effortless.

On smooth roads, the i20 feels composed, with a tight turning circle and good visibility. The trade-off is a firm ride, especially over potholes, but it rewards with decent body control. Drive modes adjust throttle response and steering weight, while cruise control makes longer journeys relaxed.

It also proved surprisingly able around the twisting lanes and steep ascents of the Lake District.

The little three-cylinder turbo had enough low-down torque to pull cleanly out of tight bends and up the climbs, while the compact dimensions and light steering made narrow, hedged roads feel easy to place rather than intimidating.

That kind of driving – constant gradients, slow corners and repeated gear changes – made the official economy figure of 47.9mpg was slightlyoptimistic. In my real world this was nearer 45mpg. Still respectable for a petrol supermini.

Interior and equipment

The Tech Line cabin offers plenty, with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and multi-colour ambient lighting make cold mornings far more bearable. The driver’s seat is height-adjustable, and the rear bench splits 60:40. Electric front and rear windows, luggage hooks and a front cup holder add everyday usability.

TThe dual-screen setup is the highlight: a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Climate control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, cruise control and drive modes are all standard. Parking is easy thanks to front sensors and a rear-view camera, while automatic wipers, wireless charging and USB ports front and rear keep life simple. 

There’s also a smart key with engine start button, immobiliser and steering wheel remote controls. A temporary mobility kit, privacy glass and aero wiper blades complete the package. Some plastics are hard to the touch, but the layout is logical and the kit count embarrasses pricier rivals.

Practicality and safety

Boot space is 352 litres, expanding to 1,165 litres with the rear seats folded – among the best in class and enough for a weekly tip run or a weekend away with plenty of baggage. The 60:40 split makes carrying longer items easy and they benefit from a USB-C charging port,

The i20 is well protected, too. Standard safety kit includes lane keep assist, lane follow assist, intelligent speed limit assist, forward collision avoidance, driver and front passenger airbags, side and curtain airbags, ABS, ISOFIX and childproof rear door locks. An eCall system adds peace of mind in an emergency.

Verdict

The i20 isn’t the fastest or most exciting supermini. But it is efficient, practical and well equipped. The firm ride and some cheap interior materials are minor flaws in an otherwise sensible package. With a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, it still makes the current model worth a look offers an impressive package without the premium price tag.

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Factfile

  • Hyundai i20 1.0 T-GDi 90 PS Tech Line
  • Price: from £24,245
  • Mechanical: 90ps, 998cc, 3-cyl turbo petrol, front-wheel drive, 6-speed intelligent manual
  • Max speed: 112mph
  • 0-62mph: 11.5 seconds
  • Combined mpg: 47.9
  • Insurance group: 13E
  • CO2 emissions: 134g/km
  • BiK rating: 32%
  • Warranty: 5yrs/unlimited miles