Despite being in an ever-crowded crossover segment, the Volvo XC40 manages to come out on top by being a breath of fresh air.

The XC40 may be Volvo's first take at a premium crossover but it already impresses with its perfect blend of drivability, dynamism and practicality. Where the XC40 stands out from the competition is the way it carries itself, inside and out.

Under its stylish two-tone exterior, the XC40 boasts generous amounts of space and convenience features for passengers and luggage alike. Foldable hooks under the glove box, long door pockets that will accommodate large items like laptops, as well as the 460-litre boot, mean that you will never be short of storage capacity. You get a clean presentation of buttons and controls through a very intuitive 9.0-inch touchscreen, too.

Under the hood, a punchy turbocharged 2.0-litre powerplant delivers 250bhp and 350Nm of torque in a creamy and smooth manner. Coupled with its well-behaved chassis, eager throttle and poised ride, and you have a tidy, all-rounded premium crossover that hits a sweet spot between daily drivability and enthusiastic dynamism. As a first for Volvo, the XC40 not only hits the spot, but also has all the qualities to make it a winner.