Used Volvo V40 cars

The style of the car

Its low front but high rear give it a sporty look that blends effortlessly with its all-round elegant feel. Available as either a five-door hatchback or go-anywhere Cross Country, the V40 is a car that’s both classy and practical.

How it drives

The Volvo V40 offers a drive that’s on par with most of its rivals. You can even change the way the steering feels if you want the drive to feel more fun. Both petrol and diesel engines provide a good combination of performance and efficiency, while the suspension copes well with all road surfaces. There’s a choice of smooth automatic or manual gearboxes and all models are compact enough to make them easy to drive and park in town. Larger engine versions make good towing cars and there’s also the option of the sportier Polestar versions.

The interior

The Volvo V40 is similar in size to its competitors with five doors and space for five adults to sit comfortably. It has a wonderful interior with elegant touches like the floating centre console and controls that are all well laid out. The seats are very comfortable, especially on long journeys. There’s also enough space in the boot for a pushchair or a couple of holiday suitcases. All models are well equipped.

Running costs and reliability

It’s cheaper to buy than a Volkswagen Golf, and you’ll pay a similar price for a used Volvo V40 as for a Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra. Diesels are the most economical but the small petrol engines also do well on fuel consumption. Running costs such as insurance, road tax and servicing are all on a par with rivals. 

The V40 has a good reputation for reliability and safety is excellent with features such as City Safety, Volvo’s own autonomous emergency braking system and a full five-star rating from Euro NCAP. 

How it compares with similar cars

The Volvo V40 is a compact hatchback, sitting below the larger S60 saloon and V60 estate in the range. It’s a great alternative to cars like the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. Not only does it provide a high level of Volvo safety, but it also offers a great drive, lovely interior design and plenty of standard equipment. It’s perhaps no surprise that the V40 has been safety organisation Thatcham Research’s Safest Used Car of the Year. It was also voted Best Executive Hatch in the Scottish Car of the Year awards. You could also consider the Volvo V40 Cross Country.