Verdict
The new Volvo V40 is good enough to take on rivals such as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, the BMW 1-Series and the new Audi A3.
It’s worth remembering that while the German brands now dominate the compact premium car segment, Volvo more or less created this market with its long-running 300 series models which were extremely popular in the UK between the 1970s and 1990s. With the V40, the company has a convincing product that should allow it to reclaim much of that lost ground.
And with tax-efficient models such as this D2, there’s a good deal in choosing this car for both the company car driver and for the business car manager of an SME firm.
Volvo V40 D2 ES – the low down
| P11D Value: | £19,690 |
| Monthly business rental (ex VAT): | From £513 (3yrs/30,000 miles) |
| Tax Bands 2011/12 to 2013/14: | 13%, 5%, 5% |
| Benefit in kind 2011/12 to 2013/14: | £2,560, £2,560, £2,560 |
| Engine: | 1.6 litre 4 cyl turbocharged diesel |
| CO2 Emissions: | 94g/km |
| Power/torque: | 115PS/270Nm |
| 0-62mph/top speed: | 12.3secs/118mph |
| Economy (official): | 78.5mpg |
Editor’s note: the CO2 emissions and fuel economy are based on the Volvo V40 D2 fitted with 205 tyres. If you are a company car driver, then higher values apply if you choose the wider 225 tyres – which will impact on company car tax. Use our company car tax calculator to work out the benefit in kind impact on your company car tax allowance.
