2019 Volvo XC40 Review - First Drive in 4K
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Date: 2019-05-30
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Comments and reviews: 10
Daniel Chiang
I have a BMW F10 and I swapped back to the Euro tail lamps set because Ive always preferred amber signals. Putting those US and Euro tail lamps alongside each other, you can tell the Euro ones have sort of dark orange coating or tint on the signal indicator part, definitely cost more and time to produce these over the US light covers. So dont believe the Americans prefer red signals crap from the PR, definitely a cost down for US Spec. As for auto makers like Mercedes and Audi who now use brake lights as signals, its because their newer designs dont meet the DOT requirement of signal surface area being at least 7. 75 square inches. That regulation was made decades ago, and back then it didnt have LEDs so I understand why. Now DOT really needs some updates on their regulations because of the improvements on lighting equipment. Brakes should be red, signals should be amber, and they should come from separate lighting sources, period.
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I have a BMW F10 and I swapped back to the Euro tail lamps set because Ive always preferred amber signals. Putting those US and Euro tail lamps alongside each other, you can tell the Euro ones have sort of dark orange coating or tint on the signal indicator part, definitely cost more and time to produce these over the US light covers. So dont believe the Americans prefer red signals crap from the PR, definitely a cost down for US Spec. As for auto makers like Mercedes and Audi who now use brake lights as signals, its because their newer designs dont meet the DOT requirement of signal surface area being at least 7. 75 square inches. That regulation was made decades ago, and back then it didnt have LEDs so I understand why. Now DOT really needs some updates on their regulations because of the improvements on lighting equipment. Brakes should be red, signals should be amber, and they should come from separate lighting sources, period.
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Kent Murley
Great first look review, Alex. Amber FTW. Why do manufacturers default to OFF upon engine restart for Brake AutoHold? Not safe. The one time I forget to turn it on is when Ill rely on it and nose into something. Which Ive repeatedly nearly done in my Santa Fe. Love portrait mode map, hate any embedded controls - Geely will need to see the light that not having knobs is a safety issue. Uproar from us and a desire to return to Volvo standards will bring them around in two years IMO, but that wont help me since I needed to take the plunge. Lack of headrest adjustment kept me from ordering an XC60 T8 Inscription, literally. Big risk without sitting in one, but I ordered Care-by-Volvo XC40 T5 mid December, just got email to expect delivery mid May. When I heard driver space was even smaller than their XC60, I nearly cancelled. Thank you, Alex, for giving me hope. Ill upgrade to T8 or all electric ASAP.
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Great first look review, Alex. Amber FTW. Why do manufacturers default to OFF upon engine restart for Brake AutoHold? Not safe. The one time I forget to turn it on is when Ill rely on it and nose into something. Which Ive repeatedly nearly done in my Santa Fe. Love portrait mode map, hate any embedded controls - Geely will need to see the light that not having knobs is a safety issue. Uproar from us and a desire to return to Volvo standards will bring them around in two years IMO, but that wont help me since I needed to take the plunge. Lack of headrest adjustment kept me from ordering an XC60 T8 Inscription, literally. Big risk without sitting in one, but I ordered Care-by-Volvo XC40 T5 mid December, just got email to expect delivery mid May. When I heard driver space was even smaller than their XC60, I nearly cancelled. Thank you, Alex, for giving me hope. Ill upgrade to T8 or all electric ASAP.
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NutellaBC
Nice review, thanks for posting it. Looks like a very competitive vehicle. Thumbs up for the amber turn signals. I am a professional driver and there is no doubt that amber turn signals are more noticeable. The red ones Volvo switched to was really a dumb move, especially for a safety oriented brand. I notice that you give a -10 for rear seat comfort, but the bottom seat cushions seem very short and not angled right. Your thighs are not fully supported and that would be an issue on long drives. I also noticed that the front bottom cushions are much shorter than the typical Volvo front seats so unless you get the version with thigh extensions, front seat comfort might not be as good as traditional Volvos.
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Nice review, thanks for posting it. Looks like a very competitive vehicle. Thumbs up for the amber turn signals. I am a professional driver and there is no doubt that amber turn signals are more noticeable. The red ones Volvo switched to was really a dumb move, especially for a safety oriented brand. I notice that you give a -10 for rear seat comfort, but the bottom seat cushions seem very short and not angled right. Your thighs are not fully supported and that would be an issue on long drives. I also noticed that the front bottom cushions are much shorter than the typical Volvo front seats so unless you get the version with thigh extensions, front seat comfort might not be as good as traditional Volvos.
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Dustin Morris
I definitely prefer a red turn signal over an amber turn signal. It just looks nicer. That being said some brands have such tiny turn signals that its hard to see it no matter the colour. Im also not a fan of brake lamps being used as signal lamps. Its too bad volvo didnt use LED for the single, and looks like an incandescent brake as well. Too bad they cut corners on that. One of my biggest pet peeves is how vehicles dont use design when adding reverse or signal, they seem to just toss them in. I think its the V90 and S90 that uses an incandescent red turn signal as well.
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I definitely prefer a red turn signal over an amber turn signal. It just looks nicer. That being said some brands have such tiny turn signals that its hard to see it no matter the colour. Im also not a fan of brake lamps being used as signal lamps. Its too bad volvo didnt use LED for the single, and looks like an incandescent brake as well. Too bad they cut corners on that. One of my biggest pet peeves is how vehicles dont use design when adding reverse or signal, they seem to just toss them in. I think its the V90 and S90 that uses an incandescent red turn signal as well.
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Windy Lee
Americans like red turn signal is just BS. Its just about cost. Those European cars that use amber turn signal lights are all with traditional light bulbs. It costs same for Amber and red. However amber LEDs cost more than red LEDs. So if they use LED rear turn signal lights, they change to red to save cost; in this way, they can also combine brake lights and turn signal lights, even more cost saving.
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Americans like red turn signal is just BS. Its just about cost. Those European cars that use amber turn signal lights are all with traditional light bulbs. It costs same for Amber and red. However amber LEDs cost more than red LEDs. So if they use LED rear turn signal lights, they change to red to save cost; in this way, they can also combine brake lights and turn signal lights, even more cost saving.
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Pete Jr
Yeah, never believed the BS explanation by manufacturers, that Americans prefer red turn signals. Volvo isnt the first to use this line. If it isnt a flat out cost savings concession, its some obscure invalid focus group result from 1996, suggesting the yellow/amber light is perceived as less premium. Volvo needs to stick with making these type decisions from a safety first stance.
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Yeah, never believed the BS explanation by manufacturers, that Americans prefer red turn signals. Volvo isnt the first to use this line. If it isnt a flat out cost savings concession, its some obscure invalid focus group result from 1996, suggesting the yellow/amber light is perceived as less premium. Volvo needs to stick with making these type decisions from a safety first stance.
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SnowBoarder&Skier
Great looking car inside and out. Very premium in my opinion. Im in the market for a small CUV. I dont need a boat of a car since I dont have kids. I do have an active lifestyle, so Im hoping my bike, snowboard, skis, and camping gear can fit in one of these. Im still waiting to see what the next generation Q3 will bring. Im wondering how Volvo reliability is these days?
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Great looking car inside and out. Very premium in my opinion. Im in the market for a small CUV. I dont need a boat of a car since I dont have kids. I do have an active lifestyle, so Im hoping my bike, snowboard, skis, and camping gear can fit in one of these. Im still waiting to see what the next generation Q3 will bring. Im wondering how Volvo reliability is these days?
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patty109109
This, like your other reviews, is top notch. You are very thorough. Never seen a reviewer consistently point out what all the various buttons do, and that gives a really nice idea about what operating the car is like. You also know these cars as if youve committed all the specs to memory, so youre able to compare to other vehicles with far better knowledge than most.
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This, like your other reviews, is top notch. You are very thorough. Never seen a reviewer consistently point out what all the various buttons do, and that gives a really nice idea about what operating the car is like. You also know these cars as if youve committed all the specs to memory, so youre able to compare to other vehicles with far better knowledge than most.
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Gary Johnson
I prefer the amber turn signals. What a great review I love all of the comparisons throughout to the other vehicles in this segment. I appreciate the very comprehensive overview of all features and functions. I will be looking forward to your more comprehensive driving review in the future when you have an opportunity to spend a week with the XC40.
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I prefer the amber turn signals. What a great review I love all of the comparisons throughout to the other vehicles in this segment. I appreciate the very comprehensive overview of all features and functions. I will be looking forward to your more comprehensive driving review in the future when you have an opportunity to spend a week with the XC40.
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BigHeadClan
Amber turn-signal all the way, if your passing on the left in congested highway its way to hard to tell if someone is quickly getting on/off the breaksor trying to signal to turn in. Also much easier to make out in a snow-storm, Red can be seen farther in optimal conditions but Amber has a better intensity for reduce viability.
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Amber turn-signal all the way, if your passing on the left in congested highway its way to hard to tell if someone is quickly getting on/off the breaksor trying to signal to turn in. Also much easier to make out in a snow-storm, Red can be seen farther in optimal conditions but Amber has a better intensity for reduce viability.
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