Mild Manners

Volvo's baby XC40 is now equipped with mild-hybrid tech, but is it enough to make it relevant in a segment that's now crowded with newer and more modern rivals?

- SHIVANK BHATT

The petrol derivative of the Volvo XC40 is a classic case of being caught between a rock and a hard place. On one side, it has the German trio of Audi Q3, BMW X1, and Mercedes-Benz GLA to tackle with.

And, on the other, its very own green-andmean sibling - the XC40 Recharge - has conveniently taken the limelight away from it, thanks to the latter's electrifying performance and tempting price tag.

Now, to get it out of the tough spot, Volvo spruced things up a little for the gasoline-powered XC40 late last year by stuffing it with more features, along with mild-hybrid tech. So, can the petrol-powered XC40 still make a case for itself?

NIP-AND-TUCK

For a design that has been around for nearly seven years, the XC40 has aged rather gracefully. With its compact shape, taut lines, and chic design, the XC40 draws attention without trying too hard. That said, the 2023 update has, quite surprisingly, taken some of its sheens away instead of adding more. You no longer get the R-Design trim, meaning no dual-tone paint scheme or diamond-cut gloss black alloy wheels.

Instead, you get plain (read 'boring') looking 5-spoke silver-finish alloy wheels, which seem to belong in 2013 rather than 2023.

There are, however, new design elements, which include reprofiled LED headlamps, a more angular bumper, and a slightly different fog-lamp design. Around the sides and back, not much has changed, except for a new B4 badge in place of the T4 of the old model. So, there's no mistaking this little Volvo for anything else.

Inside, the updates are slightly more prominent. While the dash design and overall layout are more or less unchanged, it now gets an Orrefors crystal gear lever, like bigger and more expensive Volvos.