The V40 falls into the bracket of luxury hatchback – going head-to-head with the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series.

As well as being renowned for its luxury, Volvo is, of course, known for its safety – and the V40 doesn’t disappoint with a five star EuroNCAP safety rating. But the V40s got a few other things in its locker too, including ample practicality and impressive efficiency.

The R-Design Nav Plus model we tested sits near the top of the range with some added luxuries that help it compete against its German competition. But how does Volvo’s smallest model measure up to said competition?

Performance

If you are after a good balance of power and efficiency, the 2.0-litre D2 diesel is the sweet spot in the V40 range. Offering 118bhp, the D2 isn’t rapid, but it certainly offers enough power for both town and motorway driving. Its 280Nm of torque ensures it still has a pokey diesel feel though.

Unfortunately, the six-speed manual that comes coupled to the D2 diesel is a little underwhelming. The gear changes are notchy and slotting the gearstick into third can sometimes feel like it’s going into first.

If you are after a smoother drive, then there is an automatic available – ideal if you want an effortless motorway cruiser.

Ride and Handling

The V40 doesn’t offer the same levels of fun as the 1 Series, with its main pitfall being the lack of feedback in the steering.

Although overall the V40 offers a pleasant drive, it takes a while to get used to its robust feel – which includes a slightly firm suspension set-up and rather heavy steering. Drive something like a BMW 1 Series and the tightly wound nature of its controls pays off, as it is brilliant to drive. The V40 however doesn’t offer the same levels of fun as the 1 Series though, with its main pitfall being the lack of feedback in the steering. As this is the case, the heavy duty nature of the V40’s steering and suspension feel superfluous. The V40 is by no means uncomfortable to drive though, it just struggles to offer class-leading qualities, be it the uber comfortable character of the Golf or the engaging, sporty appeal of the 1 Series.

Interior and Equipment

Swedish footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović is an ambassador for the Volvo brand, starring in their TV adverts for the V90 and XC70 models.

Volvos have a reputation for being plush and even though the V40 is the smallest model in the Swedish brand’s range, it effortlessly flies the flag for this. Sitting in the cabin you will find it hard to spot any cheap materials, with lovely leather plastered all over the dashboard and even on the doors. Features of the R-Design Nav Plus trim include a sports steering wheel and remarkably comfortable leather and fabric upholstery. Tech-additions include sat-nav and a brilliant eight-inch driver information screen which sits behind the steering wheel. The dashboard layout is typically Volvo, with a swooping centre console that houses a remote control-esque layout of media buttons, which includes a classic telephone number layout. The layout can take a bit of getting used to, due to the numerous toggles, but on the whole it is intuitive and easy to use. Although the cabin is luxurious, it doesn’t skimp on practicality. There is a sliding arm rest on the centre console which combines nicely with a door-mounted arm rest to make getting comfortable on long journeys very easy. There’s also a few conveniently placed cubby holes and cup holders. In terms of rear space, the V40 offers tons of head and leg room along with some sophisticated cup holders which pop open from inside the seat. Boot space is plentiful too, with 335 litres with the seats up and 1,032 litres with the seats down. We also had an optional £100 folding floor, which has a rather ingenious mechanism and is great for hiding valuables. Alongside its interior kit there are also some key safety features, including emergency city braking, driver’s side knee airbag and steel framework built into the doors to reduce side impacts. The V40 also has Volvo's now famous bonnet airbag for added pedestrian safety.

Cost

The D2 also claims to return an average of up to 84mpg – which is a little unrealistic – expect around 60-70mpg.

The D2 is by far the most efficient in the V40 range, with CO2 of just 89g/km. The D2 also claims to return an average of up to 84mpg – which is a little unrealistic – expect around 60-70mpg. With these low CO2 emissions, those looking for a business car can benefit from free Vehicle Excise Duty. When it comes to pricing, the standard V40 sits smack bang in the middle of the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series at £20,255. The lavish V40 D2 R-Design on the other hand costs around £25,000.

Our Verdict

The V40 has luxury, practicality and efficiency in spades. Where it fails to woo is in the driving dynamics department, something of which BMW has nailed with its 1 Series. If luxury is what you are after though – and you want a prestigious badge and good practicality to go with it – then the V40 R-Design is brilliant.