Category Archives: Executive

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

electric, Executive, Mazda, Motoring, Saloon

Mazda6e a stylish electric return of a saloon favourite

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Mazda 6e first drive

By Bill McCarthy

Mazda has never been afraid to buck the trend. The brand has continued to produce large diesel SUVs and high-capacity petrol engines, and now it makes a bold return to the D-segment with the rebirth of the Mazda6 – this time as a full-electric model.

The original Mazda6 was a stylish alternative to rivals like the Ford Mondeo and VW Passat. Produced across three generations from 2002 to 2023, it built a loyal following among both retail and fleet customers. This new EV reinvents the formula with a sleek five-door hatchback-style saloon that aims to blend tradition with future-focused design.

Pricing and Positioning

With both UK models priced under £40,000 – £38,995 for the Takumi and £39,995 for the Takumi Plus – the Mazda6e is not a budget offering. However, it comes generously equipped and delivers a premium feel that helps justify the cost. And then there’s the six-year or 100,000-mile new vehicle warranty, an 8-year or 100,000-mile battery warranty, and 3-year or 60,000-mile European roadside assistance 

Unlike the European market, which receives two battery options, the UK gets a single, larger 78kWh LFP battery. The electric motor produces 258ps and 290Nm of torque, delivering a combined WLTP range of 348 miles. The Mazda6e joins the smaller CX-30 EV in the line-up, but it is a very different proposition – bigger, sleeker, and more refined.

Performance and charging

Driving the rear wheels, the Mazda6e reaches 62mph in 7.3 seconds, while a 10 to 80 per cent charge on a 200kW DC charger takes 24 minutes. During a 150-mile test drive through the Welsh countryside of Snowdonia, the UK-spec version delivered better performance than the left-hand-drive model I sampled last year on Shropshire’s challenging country lanes. The car felt composed, responsive, and impressively refined throughout.

Design and styling

Developed under what Mazda describes as ‘Electrifying Design Crafted to Perfection’, the Mazda6e introduces the next evolution of the brand’s Kodo – Soul of Motion design philosophy.

Translated, it might read as: the marriage of futuristic electric performance with the brand’s signature, human-centric artistry. All a bit ethereal and highbrow sounding, but it has a striking presence.

The exterior is sleek and aerodynamic, with signature wing lights around the grille that glow to indicate charging status. The vehicle sits on 19-inch aerodynamic wheels featuring a sporty five-spoke design with flat black surfaces.

At the rear, a distinctive light signature with a horizontal tail light bar is complemented by Mazda lettering replacing the rear logo badge for the first time. Another Mazda first is the electronically extendable rear spoiler, designed to enhance stability at speed.

Interior and practicality

The cabin is spacious and airy, featuring a panoramic roof, a floating centre console, and soft-touch materials across both trim levels. The Takumi features black or stone Maztex, Mazda’s durable and easy-to-clean vegan leather alternative.

The Takumi Plus upgrades to premium tan Nappa leather with artificial suede cloth woven fabric seat trim. Both front seats are powered and heated.The cockpit includes a 14.6-inch touchscreen, a 10.2-inch instrument cluster, and an augmented reality head-up display. However, like many modern cars with large screens, there is a range of sometimes confusing menus and sub-menus which can be distracting for the driver.

On the practicality front, the hatchback offers a 337-litre boot, expandable via 60-40 split-folding rear seats, plus a 72-litre front ‘frunk’ – generous storage for the segment.

Driving dynamics

On the road, the Mazda6e feels reminiscent of its predecessor, with sharp handling and good stability through corners – likely aided by the new rear spoiler. The steering is nicely weighted and responsive, while the suspension strikes a firm yet comfortable balance.Refinement is a strong point.

On smoother roads, tyre noise was virtually absent, and even on poorer surfaces, noise was kept to a minimum. The car rarely felt unsettled by ruts or smaller potholes, contributing to a composed and engaging drive. Early doubts about the brakes were dispelled during a couple of sharp stops to avoid oncoming tractors on narrow Welsh country lanes – the system proved responsive and reassuring.

Verdict

The Mazda6e is a stylish and driver-focused with competitive range and charging speeds at a sub-£40k price point. It should also carry Mazda’s famed realiability.

However, the infotainment system can be distracting, the acceleration is decent if unremarkable, and the lack of a smaller battery option limits choice in a crowded segment. For those who prioritise design and driving engagement, it remains an appealing option.