Volvo XC40

Volvo XC40

Yesterday I attended the launch of the much avaited Volvo XC40. Volvo Kerala invited us to be part of this three hour event which consisted of a music concert, a sumptious dinner...and the XC40. Well let me get straight to the point. 

Gorgeous from every angle! Even the Front Headlamp is a piece of art...

Sec-C 40

The XC40 is drop-dead gorgeous. Its lines are restrained but powerful, dynamic but understated. The Typical Scandinavian design principles shine through to make the XC40 nothing short of the most beautiful car under 50 lakhs (the expected on road price in Kochi is 47 lakhs).

YES! The XC40 looks cooler than a Land Rover Velar but costs only half as much. And it offers outstanding Value for money as the features it offers are unheard of in the industry, let alone the segment. Adaptive Cruise Control (means that the car will keep a fixed distance from the car in front of it when in a highway), Lane keeping assist, 360 Degree Camera, Harman Kardon Speaker system, Auto Parking (the car will park itself... Enough Said),  9 inch toucscreen, and the most comfortable seats I have ever sat on. Seems like the perfect car, doesn't it? It probably is. This is why it has won the award for global car of the year 2018!

Here is the video of the launch:

The Engine

The Volvo XC40 comes to India in two guises, the base momentum and the top-end R-design Variant. Both of them have 190 bhp 2.0 liter diesel engine that offers effortless performance from the get-go. The engine has no flat spots, with the power coming in nice and early and revving till a modest 4600 rpm. The car's transmission is quick to repond to throttle inputs and the paddle-shift (yes this Volvo does try to be fun). But what the engine likes to do best is CRUISE..... it can maintain insane amounts of speed while keeping your heart rate as it would be in a sauna. In fact Sauna is the perfect word to describe the Volvo XC 40. Cool, calm, composed and rejuvinating.

The Sauna

Referring to the Interiors as a sauna is no understatement. You don't sit on the seats, you immerse yourself. You don't poke the touchscreen, you caress it. The Harmon Kardon sound system doesn't scream, it whispers. The suspension doesn't avoid bumps, it simply floats over it. You see why its called a sauna. Because it is designed to lower your pulse. 

Who would buy it?

Anybody with 50 lakh rupees to spend. If you are not spending it on this car, you have to be out of your mind.

I got a question in my quora page about the same topic, read through it if you have any doubts:

Which of these cars are value for money, Mercedes GLA, BMW X1, or Audi Q3?

My Answer:

The three cars you have chosen belong to the entry-level luxury SUV segment which is rather popular in India. These cars are a premium offering that introduce the buyer to the brand. Most companies will try to make these level of cars as attractive as possible(visually and technically).

Of the three cars you have chosen the BMW is the last word in driving enjoyment. The 190 BHP 2.0L diesel is as good as any. It is also packed to the gill with features. The Mercedes GLA, although very attractive, is lacking in many areas such as performance and Value for money. The efficient (but very old) Q3 used to be the best in the business. But now it has lost its edge in the face of new competition. Of the 3 you have shortlisted I would suggest you go with the BMW X1. All three cars will cost you quite a lot of money to maintain.

I would also like to suggest another option in the same segment as yours. The soon-to-be-launched Volvo XC40 is undoubtedly a much superior car in terms of performance, features, looks and safety is expected to undercut its rivals in terms of price. It has many features which are unheard of in the Indian market, let alone this segment. Features such as Semi autonomous driving aids, auto parking, radar based city safety, etc. make the XC40 an amazing package you do not want to miss out on. Also this car will only cost you as much as a VW to maintain!

The last part (about the low maintainence cost) is something that makes a lot of people choose Volvo. I have owned a Volvo V40 for the last two years and the service costs have been surprisingly low. And the service is exeptionally good. Just one of the reasons why you should consider buying a volvo.