SWEET SPOT

Since its debut back in 2018, the Volvo XC40 has impressed us with its combination of style, comfort and practicality, and the argument in its favour grew even stronger this year with the introduction of the T4 variant

- Jason Woosey

SLOTTING BETWEEN THE THREE-CYLINDER T3 entry model and the sportier all-wheel-drive T5, the Volvo XC40 T4 strikes a really compelling balance between price, performance and refinement.

Priced from R675 500 (or R728 300 in fancier Inscription guise, as per our test car), the T4 costs just R40 000 more than the T3, but R68 000 less than the T5. Like the former, it remains front-wheel driven through an eightspeed automatic gearbox.

Well-balanced is how we’d describe the drivetrain package on offer here. With 140kW on tap, versus the T3’s 110kW output and T5’s 185kW, it offers truly effortless performance, but it’s not trying to be a traffic-light racer or a hot hatch on stilts. With 350Nm available from 1 800rpm, there’s no shortage of lowdown torque.

There are four driving modes to choose from – Comfort, Eco, Off-Road and Dynamic – but unlike many other performance cars, it doesn’t get all revvy and overbearing in the sportiest configuration, just a little sharper.