2019 Volvo XC40 is a damn good compact luxury SUV
Most small fancy SUVs tend to feel like penalty boxes unless you spend north of $40,000. Not the Volvo XC40, though -- this one's great right out of the box.
Andrew Krok
The XC40 packs a solid amount of standard equipment at an equally solid base price, and it's quite nice to drive.
You can even buy one like you would a Netflix account.
When it goes on sale in March, it will compete against other compact luxe-SUVs like the Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and BMW X1.
At launch in early 2018, the XC40 will be offered with just one engine -- the T5, a 248-horsepower turbocharged I4, mated to standard all-wheel drive.
A cheaper, 185-hp I4 will arrive later on with front-wheel drive.
Cars take a long time to develop, and despite the XC40 starting its life back in 2013, the design looks fresh.
One of the first things you'll notice is that the XC40 comes standard with leather seats -- not some mediocre vinyl, but actual leather.
It feels nicer than anything the competition offers at a starting price in the low $30,000 range, and it looks nicer, too.
The 9-inch Sensus Connect infotainment system is standard on all trims, and although navigation isn't standard, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are.
Keep on scrolling to check out even more pictures of what I hope will become one of the hottest SUVs in its segment.