Dear Volvo, you’re great. I like the second-generation XC90, I like the S90, and I love the family-oriented V90. But the V40 facelift lets me down. Other than the Thor’s Hammer LED headlights, the 2017 Volvo V40 facelift doesn’t have much else to brag about and that’s a letdown from the Swedish company that has risen from the ashes like a Phoenix bird since Geely acquired it in 2010 from Ford.
For the 2017 model year, the V40 compact hatchback and the V40 Cross Country have been beautified with the confident-looking Thor’s Hammer LED headlights. These will be offered as standard equipment in the United Kingdom. The mesh grille and Volvo Iron Mark badge are fine and all, but the redesigned front bumper is gawkier than the mouth of a clownfish. The V40 Cross Country is a prettier affair, though, thanks to the addition of black plastic inserts.
There’s nothing much to talk about regarding the rear, which appears to be identical to the pre-facelift. Lazy redesign? You bet. But then again, why change the appearance of the second-most popular Volvo nameplate when it still looks as fresh as it did when Volvo launched it? The 2017 model year is slated to make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Five new exterior paints are on the menu: four shades of blue (Bursting Blue, Amazon Blue, Denim Blue, Mussel Blue) and a trendy hue called Luminous Sand.
As far as the inside is concerned, I don’t want to bore you to death with the updated upholstery, tread plates, and contrasting stitching. That’s what online configurators are made for. Instead of gratuitous mumbo jumbo, prospective buyers could be interested in CleanZone technology, which removes the pollutants in the air before the air enters the cabin of the V40. An upgraded Volvo On Call smartphone app should keep the tech-savvy customers happy.
Not much has changed under the hood except for the entry-level turbo diesel engine. The 2017 Volvo V40 D2 turbo diesel is friendlier to the environment as emissions dropped to 89 grams of C02 per kilometer. More info on the 2017 Volvo V40 facelift and its brother is available in the release and PDF below.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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