By Somnath Chatterjee
The Volvo XC40 that you see here is one compact luxury SUV that is filled to brim with technology not seen on luxury cars costing thrice as much. It very well drives home the point that a modern day luxury car need not be vast in size but can also be an intelligent motor car that presents a fusion of tech and luxury. The XC40 is a semi-autonomous car that has radar assist feature that actually means that the car can drive itself in shorts bursts. Plus it actually works as we found out with the numerous radar based features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, city based safety features and an oncoming mitigation system coping well with our Indian road system.
The other feature is also an important one where the car’s radar senses for any car or any other object coming towards you or coming in the way suddenly as it will brake itself. Needless to say this is very useful when driving on our roads!
The 2.0 petrol packs in enough punch to satiate any enthusiast while it cruises very well with a relaxed demeanor that we warm up-to. Making a healthy 190 bhp and 300Nm, the XC40 petrol is quick and light on its feet plus you can even alter its performance based on the three driving modes on offer. What also helps is the compact dimensions of the car which means you have more confidence in placing it on our roads.
Overall, priced at Rs 39.9 lakh ex-showroom, the Volvo XC40 is an alluring concoction that is the perfect luxury car for our ever congested urban jungle and it is something that is delightfully different from the German luxury cars out there. The XC40’s party piece has to be its technology as that is also something which actually helps you in the real world rather than being a marketing gimmick. Luxury cars are getting smarter day by day and the XC40 is right at the top of that pile at the moment.