It may not be the most dynamic crossover in its segment, yet the XC40 brings something rather unique to the table, namely flair.

The Volvo XC40 is more than just a shrunken version of its larger siblings, the XC60 and XC90. On top of that, it can also offer customers high levels of customization, which is a key aspect of attracting younger buyers nowadays.

Tested here is the D4 ‘First Edition’, which sports a dark-themed interior that feels spacious and beautifully designed, according to the reviewer.

The First Edition also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, which are a £300 option on other versions. On a practical note, there is plenty of storage room on-board the XC40 as well as generous amounts of headroom and legroom for people sitting in the back – just don’t expect miracles if you’re planning on having three adults in the rear seat because of the transmission tunnel.

On the move, this D4 model pulls well down in the lower part of the rev range, however it can get a bit noisy until you bring it up to speed. Customers looking for a more entertaining drive might want to consider the BMW X1, since the XC40 is focused primarily on comfort and refinement.

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