After a series of previews, Volvo’s first-ever small premium SUV, the XC40, has arrived in the Philippines. Recipient of the 2018 European Car of the Year and 2018-2019 Japan Car of the Year, the XC40 is an SUV that’s “designed around you.”

Underpinned by Volvo’s new Compact Modular Architecture or CMA platform, the XC40 is touted more as a cousin than a sibling to the larger 90 and 60 Series cars because of its own personality, expression, and character.

The 2019 XC40 is defined by a strong graphical design, a real feeling of strength and quality, and a more playful nature in terms of colors and materials. Inside, it offers an innovative approach to all-round functionality providing drivers with plenty of storage space. The XC40 offers several large and smartly designed storage compartments in the doors, under the seats, and in the trunk. Other highlights include a removable bin in the mid console, a small fold-away hook as part of the glove compartment and special slots for credit and service cards.

For the Philippine-spec model, the XC40 is available (for now) with the R-Design package. Thus, it comes equipped with a sportier grille with high-gloss black inserts and a silk metal frame, a contrasting roof color, generous 245/45R20 wheels and tires, and R-Design badging. Inside, it has the R-Design Nubuck textile/Nappa leather combination seats, R-Design perforated shift knob, and R-Design scuff plates.

The XC40 also features Volvo’s advanced infotainment system called Sensus. It delivers an intuitive touch screen interface that combines car functions, navigation, connected services, and in-car entertainment applications such as Spotify, Pandora, Baidu or TuneIn. The portrait-oriented touch screen enables easy and fast access to a host of functions and features. Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also available.

Currently, Volvo Philippines is offering the XC40 with just engine variant: a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine making 252 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed automatic with all-wheel drive, it’s good for a 0-100 km/h time of just 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 225 km/h (limited).

And true to its nature as a Volvo, the XC40 brings a new standard of safety to its segment with award-winning safety technologies also found in the Volvo 90 and 60 Series cars.

Safety and driver assistance features offered on the XC40 include the latest generation of City Safety—a combination of automatic braking technology and collision avoidance systems to help keep drivers safe. In addition, it comes with Run-off Road mitigation and a 360-degree camera that helps drivers maneuver into tight parking spaces.

The 2019 Volvo XC40 T5 R-Design AWD is priced at P 3,795,000. Volvo Philippines has plans to introduce a more affordable variant of the XC40 sometime in 2019.