Crossover Utility Vehicles

2020 Volvo XC40 T5 Inscription AWD - Re-Driven Blue Swede Re-Shod

2020 Volvo XC40 T5 Inscription AWD: Meeting of 2 Blue Swedes

SWEET SWEDISH COMPACT CROSSOVER SWIMS UPSTREAM: Gelatinous sugared fished-shaped Swedish confections are tasty morsels. Last year's all new Volvo XC40 was a sweet new Swedish luxury compact crossover vehicle that swam upstream into Roadblazing.com's driveway. More of an acquired taste were its cabin trimmed in brighter than Lingonberry wall-to-wall carpet and a sometimes squall bucking taut R-Design wheel-suspension tune.

REASON FOR RE-DRIVE: a 2020 Volvo XC40 T5 Inscription was lured to Roadblazing.com bait. Inscription is the most luxurious trim which can be had in the brand of steel. This time it would seem the cabin color and suspension tune was more gentle on the mind.

Driving Hits:

Rush of 258 lb-ft of torque from cellarly 1500 rpm
8-speed torque converter automatic transaxle
Multitude of Haldex IV all-wheel drive modes
25 miles per gallon, combined driving
450 miles fuel tank range
Stout SPA architecture and relative lightness
Forgiving on straight pavement, predictably deft into curves
235/50-19 vs. 245/45-20 R-Design tire:wheel aspect ratio = +1 compliance
Firmly weighted helm
Cabin oblivious to external sounds

Driving Misses:

Touchy throttle
Suspension travel suggests impending understeer
Transaxle doesn't hold low gears for long
Steering numbed, squeaking at parking lot speeds
No all-terrain capability with all-season highway rubber

What It Has Got:

From $35,4340 (incl. destination) for a front-drive 8-speed tiptronic automatic 2020 Volvo XC40 T4 Momentum FWD. The tested 2020 XC40 T5 Inscription AWD pumps the bottom line up to $47,395
On the larger end of compact luxury crossover sports activity vehicles
Inscription = top trim = $6750 upcharge
Solid build
Thinner pile contrasted color carpeting upholsters cabin walls & door panels
Tall riding
5 occupant capacity
Supportive front seat bolstering
Boxy shape enhances cargo capacity cargo capacity

2020 Volvo XC40 T5 Inscription AWD

60/40 split nearly flat folding 2nd Row seat backs w/ center pass through
Sub cargo floor storage
Select materials, high resolution displays, and uncluttered controls, switchgear.
Good for segment standard feature set
- Thor's Hammer LED lateral T front directional lamps
- Center console waste bin [and available sub driver seat storage]
- Keyless comfort entry, ignition
- Cruise control
- Power windows full express x 4
- Power liftgate
- 4-Way Power driver's seat w/ memory
- Height adjustable mechanical front passenger seat
- Front seat knee extensions
- Bluetooth wireless communications and voice commands
- 12.3" TFT virtual driver's display gauge cluster
- 9.2"-inch touch Sensus vertical LCD infotainment display

2020 Volvo XC40 T5 Inscription AWD: Sensus 9.2" inch vertical tablet touch LCD infotainment, with voice command controls and Android Auto / Apple Car Play projection

8 speaker 250W HD radio streaming audio
Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink phone projection
Sirius XM, TravelLink and Wi-Fi (by subscription)
Genuine aluminum instrument panel and door trim
Leather steering wheel, gearshift selector knob

Good safety features & grades
- IIHS 2020 Top Safety Pick
- Forward Collision avoidance w/ pedestrian & cyclist detection braking, lane keep assist, rear camera, and auto high beams
- Available Blind Spot, rear cross traffic warning, 360° surround camera, passive and active park pilot assist
4 year / 50,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty includes 3 years scheduled maintenance

What It Has Not (or Not Preferred):

Pricey bundled options packages
No power front passenger seat
Heated front seats optional
LED headlamps optional
Level 2 Driver autonomy Pilot Assist optional even on top Inscription trim
Some sub-knee and upper dash padding lacks refinement of higher Volvo models
No steering wheel shift paddles - only on R-Design

Standout Cool Features on tested T5 Inscription AWD:

Driver's digital display broadcasts map when equipped with native HDD HPS navigation
Pilot Assist 2 autonomous driver assistance
Pilot Park Assist
Panorama tilt and slide power moonroof
Harman Kardon 10-speaker 600 watt premium audio
Leather seats, heated front, driver's 2 position memory
Heated steering and headlamp washers
Power folding side mirrors
Approach activated power liftgate
Open pore wood grain cabin trim
Illuminated Orrefors Crystal gearshift lever

2020 Volvo XC40 T5 Inscription AWD: genuine Orrefors crystal gearshift selector lever

ROADBLAZING.COM's SUMMATION:

2020 Volvo XC40 T5 AWD Inscription = compact Blue Sweet Swede makes case for sensibly splurged sport luxury, while comfortably avoiding the $50,000 mark.