• Brilliant front seats
• Well-damped comfortable ride
• Lots of equipment for the money

Inside, the car has the same central console as previous models, but the plastics are much softer and are of a better standard. It’s now starting to look very old hat inside, with a lot of small buttons, especially compared with rivals like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Audi A3. 

Like the majority of other models in the Volvo range, it feels robust and is finished to a high standard. Once you get your head around the array of buttons it’s pretty easy to get the hang of what everything does. It’s a nice cabin to sit in, but if you want niceties such as satellite-navigation or leather trim, we’d recommend trading up to the more luxury-focused Inscription or R-Design models. A variety of winter, safety and sporty options bundles are also available.

Of the equipment packs you can add to your V40, we’d recommend the Xenium Pack which costs £2,000 and includes a large panoramic sunroof, reversing camera, electronically adjustable seats and a parking assistance system which will steer the car into parallel parking spaces. The Winter Pack will be ideal for the colder months of the year and includes heated front seats and a heated front windscreen for £375, and is good value.

Is it comfortable?

Volvo V40 comfort levels are excellent. It really is one of the most pleasant cabins in which to spend time. Road, tyre and wind noise are minimal while the engines – especially the diesel units – are all very refined.

The seats, both front and rear, are some of the most comfortable you’ll ever sit on. The coupe shape has made the rear screen a little like a pillar-box opening so your view can be restricted.

The enhanced radar-based Blind Spot Information System comes in handy when on motorways and when you are about to overtake. Not only does it inform the driver about vehicles in the blind spots on both sides of the car it also monitors and alerts the driver to rapidly approaching vehicles up to 70 metres behind the car. Warnings are displayed in LED indicators located in each A-pillar.