The new Volvo XC40, which is the smallest of their SUVs, was named the 2018 European Car of the year.

It was among the first major awards for Volvo and there are certain to be more in the future.

Other awards include the Car of the Year award from the prestigious UK automotive publication What Car?

The Volvo range is quite magnificent and such was the demand for the new XC40 more than 13,000 customers put their names down to have one before it came out.

Volvo now has three SUVs in its range and the XC40 enters the new and fast-growing small SUV segment and will probably be the championship contender. The only problem Volvo will have, is keeping up with demand.

Built in Belgium the XC40 sets a new standard in terms of design, connectivity and safety technology and the XC40 roll-out will soon extend to China – the world’s biggest car market – where Volvo is expecting similar strong interest.

Volvo continues to develop new technologies keeping the company at the forefront of design, safety and brilliant new ideas.

The XC40 is also the first Volvo to come with a car-sharing feature, enabled via Volvo’s digital key technology and its connected services platform, Volvo On Call.

XC40 owners can simply share their car with family and friends without having to hand over a physical key.

In another first, the XC40 launched Volvo Cars’ new subscription service, Care by Volvo, which offers car access via a monthly flat-fee subscription rather than ownership. Care by Volvo makes having a car as transparent, easy and hassle free as having a mobile phone.

Long ago was the day when you went into a showroom and did a deal with the sales person. It’s all done for you now if you want.

But what is it like behind the wheel? Much the same as all the other Volvos. Pretty damn good, and one of the best family cars around.

The suspension has been set up to provide comfort and deals with our potholes roads with ease. The controls are good and all the engines are more than competent and are both smooth and quiet.

There is an all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard with both diesel and petrol engines available.

And if you remember the company last year the company announced its commitment to electrify all Volvo Cars launched from 2019. In line with this leadership position in electrification, a hybrid as well as a pure electric powertrain option for the XC40 will be added later.

Even with the large 20-inch alloy wheels the ride quality is excellent and grip levels are superb. With all Volvos the ride always feels safe and secure.

The XC40 has Pilot Assist which is a semi-autonomous system that takes care of steering, accelerating and braking when driving on the motorway and which will even bring the car to a stop in traffic.

There is a 360-degree parking camera plus blind spot warning and auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

The XC40 also offers ingenious interior design and storage ideas, with more functional storage space in the doors and under the seats, a special space for phones (including inductive charging), a foldout hook for small bags, plus a removable waste bin in the tunnel console. Also the door pockets are enormous due to the music speakers being relocated to the dashboard There is a touchscreen system which is responsive, and while it might take you a while to get used to all the kit, it is worth it.

The boot floor has a three-way folding feature making easy access to the under the floor storage area.

If you choose a Volvo then you are going to have pay for a premium car so the XC40 doesn’t come cheap. Price start around £28,000 and should you wish you can spend thousands more on extra toys.

But remember Volvos are equally as good as the German marques and more and more people are preferring them and it’s easy why to see. The XC40 is a welcome addition to the Volvo garage.