In 2016, Volvo released the upgraded version of the V40 Cross Country.
While the styling was improved to give the car a bolder, rugged look and a 4x4 look, it is disappointing to say that an all-wheel-drive system was available for the top of the range trim level only, the T5.

The exterior updated included a new grille with a more appealing Volvo Iron Mark. The headlights were redesigned and featured the Volvo’s new “Thor’s Hammer” styling.

Five new exterior paint colors were added to the range: Amazon Blue, Denim Blue, Bursting Blue, Mussel Blue and Luminous Sand.

The interior cabin, while crafted with high quality materials and soft-touch finishes, looked a bit date compared to the rival’s Mercedes GLA.

The seats were comfortable using lots of support. Storage spaces were available throughout the cabin.

The V40 came with a good infotainment system, an USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and even a www browser.

An additional sport package was available and added a digital instrument cluster that looked clean and classy, and was, moreover, highly customisable.

The V40 offered great legroom and headroom for both the front and the rear passengers.

The trunk was of a good size, at 335 liters with the rear seats and up to 1032 liters with the rear seats folded.

After opening the segment in 1997 with the Volvo V70 Cross Country, the Swedish car-maker repeated the experience in 2012 with the Volvo V40 Cross Country.
The crossover car-category increased in size and prices. There were cars to fill that category from all the segments, from the small hatchbacks to large station-wagons, all were battling for a place on the table. In the compact class, the V40 Cross Country struggled to find its way in the segment which his bigger and older sibling created 15 years before.

From the outside, the V40 Cross Country was a V40 on stilts, with a 14 mm (0.5”) increase in the ground clearance. Black plastic elements were added to the flared arches, in the redesigned front bumper, and on the side-sills. But some parts were painted in silver so the black, long, surfaces would not look bland. In the rear, a plastic panel under the bumper mimicked an aluminum shield.

Inside, there was the same V40 interior with the same loads of spaces to store various items from a small purse behind the center console to the big glove compartment. Since the car was in the compact-segment, the designers installed a bench in the rear with a two-seats profile that barely left some room for a third passenger.

Unlike the V70 Cross Country, the V40 CC didn’t offer an all-wheel-drive system. It was available only as a front-wheel drive. The higher ground clearance and the longer suspension travel helped the car in coping better with potholes and speedbumps.