Family car review: Volvo V40 1.6 diesel

Whisper it...but many mums out there shudder at the thought of buying a people carrier or run-of-the-mill family car. Just because you have a couple of kids now, why should you compromise on style and luxury? Surely family needs and a snazzy car cannot coexist. Well Volvo thinks they can – and they sent us this rather fetching V40 1.6 diesel SE to check out.

Everyone remembers someone in their neighbourhood who owned a big frightening barge-like Volvo during the 1990s and early 2000s. The brand built its name on pioneering car safety, but for years their cars looked like they had been designed by a Junior Cert tech drawing class. How things have changed though and Volvos these days are tres belle. Isn't this V40 drop dead gorgeous? We are officially smitten!

Inside, the V40 is every bit an executive car, featuring sumptuous leather seats and lots of technology. Our test car, an SE model with a few extras, featured a digital instrument cluster that allowed you to adjust the colour and information displayed while driving. The air conditioning, radio, and a full media centre featuring Bluetooth device connectivity are controlled via a 5-inch display screen on the dash top. This also doubles up as a reverse parking camera if you pay the extra €625 for the ‘style pack’ which also includes parking sensors and the digital instrument cluster. This car feels special - spending time in it will make you feel good. And that's important.

The 1.6 diesel has more than enough power for most families’ needs, although we did find the ‘stop start’ function (engine cuts out at traffic lights to save fuel) a little jerky. You can deactivate that though - problem solved. There is a 1.6 petrol engine available, which we have not tested; however, some of our motor industry peers have been impressed with it. Cost wise the petrol model is €1,700 cheaper than the diesel model, but road tax is €90 a year more expensive.

The rear seats will work for two teenagers, but not three. They are designed to give the two rear passengers executive level comforts, and are set further away from the doors than in most family cars to improve shoulder room. Rear leg and head room are fine for six foot passengers. We loved the cup holders which sit in the middle of the rear bench - great for the kids so you don’t have to continually turn around when someone is thirsty.

€26,295 will buy you the base ‘ES’ petrol model, and you will need €27,295 for a diesel SE version, which Volvo say will do up to 78 miles per gallon of fuel. Our week with the car would suggest you could travel about 450 miles on €50 diesel (€1.42 per litre) based on a mix of town and country driving. Our €29,610 test car was fitted with cruise control, leather, the two digital screens, upgraded alloy wheels, and automatic headlights and wipers. The V40 is a refreshing alternative to the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series, and competitively priced versus both.

Is there loads of storage space?

Average. Some hatchbacks have bigger and better shaped boots, and the centre storage box is not amongst the biggest on the market. The glovebox is large though, and there are lots of usable cup holders including in the doors. For a family of four going on holidays though it is more than adequate.

Is it baby friendly?

There are two ISOFIX mounts in the rear, and the front passenger airbag can be disabled, so carrying three small children is completely possible. The rear doors do not open particularly wide, and the sloping roofline, which creates that gorgeous exterior profile, means care is needed loading a child into a baby seat.

Is parking easy?

The rear window slopes and the corner pillars are thick, so some hatchbacks are better than the Volvo to park. However visibility is perfectly acceptable for most drivers. We recommend fitting the optional parking camera and sensors - they will make school and car park manoeuvres easier and safer. Once you become familiar with the dimensions of the V40 you should not find it hard to park - it is not a long car and there's lots of drivers seat height adjustment to allow you find the perfect view point.

What about safety?

We salute you Volvo! Always a leader in automotive safety innovation, Volvo has done it again with the V40. Alongside all of the usual front, side and curtain (roof) airbags you expect these days, this car has a bonnet mounted airbag, unique to Volvo, which inflates if the car detects that a pedestrian has been hit. Unsurprisingly, the car has a 5 star Euro NCAP safety rating, including a score of 88% for pedestrian protection. The safety testers were also impressed with the ‘anti-whiplash protection’ system on the V40, rating it highly for neck protection in an accident.

Verdict:

Thumbs Up:

Serious kerb appeal

Incredibly safe

Cheap to run

Luxurious cabin

Thumbs down:

Its a wee bit tight for three in the back

Stop-start system a bit jerky.

Mummypages Ratings:

Baby friendliness: 3/5

Safety: 5/5