However the designers have gone for form over practicality.
The low roofline (a common design trend) has some serious drawbacks.
It's a tight squeeze even getting in to the rear pews, and once inside, with the front seats adjusted for a normal sized person, there's scant legroom and even less headroom.
My head was literally jammed into the roof; so in reality the V40 is a shapely "two plus two."
Nothing wrong with that, and children or small adults won't find the rear seat space an issue at all.
The rear windows only travel half way down into the doors, but that's also the case with many others in the segment.
Up front it's a different story. The driver's seat has electric adjustment, with three seat position memories for different drivers, and is heated, as is the passenger seat. And as usual with Volvo, the seats are among the best shaped and comfortable you'll find in any vehicle.
The cargo area is a good size, and thankfully there is a spare wheel, albeit a space saver.
An array of options appear on the instrument panel, with adjustable multi coloured ambient lighting adding to the overall classy feel of the cabin. On this Kinetic model even the gearshift knob is illuminated.
There's a reversing camera, (which you will make good use of as the rear window is tiny,)and all the information you could possibly want.
This is the basic V40 D4, and as such doesn't have the electronic handbrake found on high end variants, just a sturdy lever.
Nor does the V4 Kinetic have keyless entry and start.
The key fob needs to be in its dashboard slot, before pressing the go button.
I have always liked Volvo's five cylinder petrol engines, but this 2 litre five pot diesel is I believe, a far better option than those; quiet with a distinctive thrumming note all its own.
It really is a cracking powerplant, with a giant 400 nm of torque that will chirp the front tyres, even on modest take offs.
Engage sport mode, and the V40 is a rocketship, flying down the road, albeit with some initial torque steer through the wheel. The six speed auto gearbox, a treat to use.
Combined city/ highway fuel cycle is just over 5 litres per 100 kilometres.
I have found in other Volvos over the years, the standard sound system is to my critical ear, probably the best fitted to any car regardless of price. There are 8 speakers in this D4 model.
As you'd expect with Volvo being a trailblazer in occupant safety, the V40 wants for nothing in this regard.
Multiple airbags, including one for the driver's knees, and a pedestrian airbag that activates at the base of the windscreen, and City Safety technology that brakes the car automatically up to 50kph if the system detects an object or person suddenly appearing in front of the car, just part of a comprehensive suite of safety items, that also include emergency brake assist and advanced stability control.
A minor niggle is the large turning circle of just under 12 metres, requiring a bit of backing and filling in tight situations.
Ride around town is about average for the class, but better than previous Volvos of my experience, some of which tended to be a little harsh.
On the open road the suspension is in control, smoothing out undulations and rough spots with reassuring aplomb. When pressing on in tighter corners, there's a hint of understeer but it's always manageable. 17 inch wheels and tyres provide plenty of grip, but also some road noise on varying surfaces.
Priced from 34 to around 50K, the V40 is competing with a host of newcomers in the segment, including hatches from VW,Opel, and Mercedes.
It has many desirable traits, not the least the way the thing looks.
The small Swede has a lot going for it, and should at least be given a lengthy test drive.
Many potential buyers will be won over, convinced it's the car they must have.
Peter Sellen
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