Volvo V40 CrossCountry: Up the Garden Route
As a motoring journalist I have had the pleasure (and pain sometimes) of driving an array of cars. I have driven well over 600 cars in the almost seven years I have been doing this incredible “job”. So I like to think I know a good thing when I see it. And the first time I laid eyes on the Volvo V40, it was true love.
It was at the international launch in Verona in 2012 that I got to experience this beautiful machine. I had never really been a Volvo fan, not for any reason but that I hadn’t really driven many and had always thought of them as “old people’s cars. I wasn’t far off; Volvo was known for its boxy and somewhat boring cars. Even today, after asking a few people via social media what their thoughts on Volvo were there was one word that kept coming up, “boring”. Volvo has been synonymous with safety and for some reason; this can be seen as boring.
Well not any more! Enter the V40! And not just the V40, the V40 Cross Country. This is my longterm test car and I could not be more ecstatic. I know I am going on and on about how awesome this car is, but I have good reason. Like I mentioned, I have driven a LOT of cars over the years and this was one of the few that I would actually own. And I don’t say that lightly. Yes I drive nice cars and yes I drive brand new cars all the time, but I have to remain objective and to be honest, there are many luxury cars that I would hate to drive every day.
Ok so now for the reasons I LOVE this car. Not only is it HOT! HOT! HOT! (Ok so that is not objective, but still, you can’t deny its sexiness!), but it’s easy to drive and so comfortable. The model I am testing, which is the D3 Geartronic Elite with an extra Techno Pack (I will explain what that consists of later), comes with everything you need; Bluetooth, voice control, cruise control, multifunction steering wheel, electric windows, dual climate control, leather seats, Sat Nav…I can go on!
The only negative thing that I can say is that the boot is a bit too small, but then again it depends on if you need space or not. On the average day I have no problem with the boot space, but then again, I don’t have kids or dogs, however, it was on this trip up the Garden Route where I realised that space could be a real issue. We were four people. Two girls and two guys. So you can just imagine the luggage! We managed to get everyone and everything in, but, the one couple shared a bag and the other guy brought a small backpack. I on the other hand used up most of the space with my bulky wheelie bag (a girl needs options you know!). Unfortunately the rear passengers had to endure laptop bags, a cooler box and packets of food at their feet and in between them, but both commented on how comfortable they still were. Which says a lot about the level of comfort on this car.
It was an early start; 7am on a Monday morning. What should have taken us about six hours took us about five and every single one of us arrived feeling as if the journey went by in a flash. Again, speaking to the comfort levels of this car. I have been in other cars for just an hour and a half and felt as if I had driven from Cape Town to Namibia!
The 2,0-litre turbodiesel engine’s power delivery is smooth and after only a slight lag when pulling away the gear shifts are effortless and the low down torque makes overtaking, even on an incline, painless. All passengers commented on the smooth ride and comfort numerous times.
Something else to brag about? Fuel consumption! We averaged about 7,8L/100 km, which if you consider we had four passengers as well as luggage is pretty darn impressive.
The Techno Pack I was talking about earlier adds LED daytime running lights, headlight washers, rear park assist, active bi-xenon lights, driver information module with an 8-inch display and a sound system with a 7-inch colour screen and eight speakers to the already high standard spec level. This car would usually cost you R391 000 but with the added Techno Pack (R16 000) you can expect to pay R407 100.
The Cross Country, with its raised ground clearance, made traversing the gravel road to a certain wine farm as easy and effortless as one can expect from such an all rounder. Plus the body kit makes it look super stylish!
Overall, this car has everything you need. And if you are a single, relatively young gal, like myself, then you will be sure to turn heads in this beauty. Driving back from Plettenberg Bay I was reminded just how fortunate I am to live in the Western Cape with its beautiful roads such as the Garden Route offers. And driving in the V40 Cross Country just made the trip that much sweeter. I am so looking forward to many more adventures in this beautiful car.
* Just an added footnote is that from about the third quarter, the V40 engines will be replaced by Volvo’s new Drive-E engines which are light weight, ultra modern, ultra efficient engines with low emissions and fuel efficiency.