Safely driving in the new normal

It was an exciting weekend drive I had planned. I was going to take the Volvo XC40 T5 in R-Design trim for a spin, which is a wonder with all the good bits from the standard XC40 — smart looks, comfortable drive, performance, and a sporty driving experience — alongside super-low running costs.

I was excited and my road trip would take me to faraway Los Baños so that I could see what the petrol usage would be and how fuel-efficient this versatile compact SUV is.

For starters, let me just say that I have always been a fan of Volvo because it comes with a reputation of producing the safest vehicles in the world. And a Volvo never fails to make me feel safe because of its body build and the ways its interiors are so well constructed.

The XC40 brings a new standard of safety to the small SUV premium segment, as the car has the award-winning safety technologies known from Volvo’s 90 and 60 Series cars.

The safety and driver-assistance features offered in the XC40 include Volvo’s Pilot Assist system, the latest generation of City Safety, Run-off Road protection and mitigation, Cross Traffic Alert with auto brake, and a 360-degree camera that helps drivers maneuver their car into tight parking spaces. These and other technologies make the XC40 one of the best-equipped compact premium SUVs.

Volvo’s City Safety technology, standard on all Volvo models, combines automatic braking functionality and collision-avoidance systems to cover a range of potential accident scenarios and help keep you safe.

City Safety is the only system on the market that detects pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals such as moose and deer. Not much danger of the latter on Philippine roads, but essential with pedestrians and cyclists.

Let the drive begin

The Volvo XC40 is Volvo’s compact premium SUV and the first-ever Volvo model to win the prestigious European Car of the Year award. Together with the larger XC60 and XC90, it completes Volvo’s global lineup of premium SUVs.

The XC40 is based on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), an advanced vehicle platform. CMA provides Volvo with the necessary economies of scale for this segment.

An innovative approach to all-around functionality provides drivers with plenty of storage space in the cabin. The XC40 offers several large and smartly designed storage compartments in the doors, under the seats, and in the trunk. Other highlights include a removable bin in the middle console, a small, foldaway hook as part of the glove compartment, and special slots for credit and service cards.

In addition, the car’s interior design was upgraded for the 2022 model year with new leather-free tailored steering wheels, among other details.

I took the time to make stops along the way accompanied by many starts to be able to rate the Volvo XC40. Read on and let me share five reasons to fall love in love with this Volvo.

1. I love the way the car drives and the comfort one experiences in the cockpit. There was never a time that the XC-40 made me feel that I was not in control of the drive. This was from the get-go at my home in the south to the overtaking I did on SLEX on a traffic-laden Saturday. Driving and feeling safe came at any speed the Volvo went.

Among the already fashionable lineup of Volvo SUVs, the even more chic 2022 XC40 is a hip and youthful one. The entry-level model is powered by a 184-hp turbocharged four-cylinder that wears the spunkiest version T5 badge, which offers 248 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive. The XC40 brings with it plenty of tech, too, including available driver assists that are borrowed from higher-end Volvo models, including the Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving mode.

I loved that it is a classy looker — not a flashy one. And, for a small driver like me, the Volvo’s higher seating position is definitely a plus.

2. It’s got the look. The Volvo XC40 is quite a looker, and the T5 R-Design models have the eco-conscience to back up the looks. The tough, chunky styling blends typically Scandinavian minimalism with eye-catching cues, like a four-wheeled version of five-star hotels. It’s a real cool looker, considering the stares I got on the drive as I passed by the other vehicles on the road.

The XC40 also blends typical Volvo virtues like comfort and space with the high driving position and in-town maneuverability of a small SUV.

3. It’s comfy for all. The XC40’s interior still delivers on the minimalist cool you’ve come to expect from modern Volvos, but in this case, there’s a more contemporary tone. Examples of this include the door trims, armrest and handles, which are made out of a single piece of plastic and have color-coded felt-lined inlays. This design not only adds a dash of vibrancy to the cabin but also frees up space for larger-capacity door bins.

4. More space to love. Cleverly thought-out storage solutions are a bit of a theme in the XC40: the central armrest features a removable section that can work as a small wastepaper bin, while the large, well-shaped boot offers a pop-up divider to help hold shopping bags in place. Both front-seat and rear-seat occupants will have plenty of space, too, and as a driver, you’ll find it easy to find an ideal driving position, whether you’re small or tall.

5. The Volvo XC40 is one of the safest new cars on the road, but it is available with an extra kit such as blind-spot monitoring. You can also get an advanced cruise-control system, which will keep you a safe distance from the car in front, will steer to keep you in lane and even work in stop-start motorway traffic.

There’s space for five adults and they’ll be able to bring along lots of their stuff, too.

I arrived in Los Baños and decided to get a buko pie from Letty’s. I was happy because it was early and the pies were warm and yummy.

I took one more look at the Volvo as I chewed on the yummy pie. I thought about the drive home, happy that I was in the cockpit of this lovely XC40.

Engine started and revved, I started to drive on.