Volvo’s new XC40 premium compact SUV will cost at least £27,905 when it arrives on UK roads in the opening quarter of 2018.

The first ever XC40 is available to order now across three trim levels: the striking Momentum, sport-tinged R-Design and the luxurious Inscription.

It is the first model to be built on Volvo’s new CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) platform and has been designed to be especially effective in the city with the inclusion of advanced connectivity, entertainment and safety technology from Volvo's newest 60- and 90 series cars.

Engine options from launch will comprise three petrols and two diesels, with power output ranging from 147bhp to 246bhp. Petrol drivers can choose the 153bhp T3, 187bhp T4 and 242bhp T5, while those who prefer diesel can go for the 147bhp D3 and 187bhp D4.

All of these engines will be two-litre, four cylinder units with all-wheel drive, and mated to an automatic gearbox, except for the front-wheel T3, while the D3 is available as either a front- or all-wheel drive.

Equipment levels are generous with entry-level Momentum XC40s featuring a nine-inch sat-nav touchscreen that works in tandem with a voice-activated control system and allows access to a range of web apps including Spotify, TuneIn, Google Local Search and Yelp. This system also includes real-time traffic information and lifetime map updates, as well as three USB sockets.

Other features that come as standard are LED headlights, dual-zone climate control with Volvo's 'CleanZone' air-filtration system, a 12.3-inch active TFT configurable driver's information display and rear parking sensors. Alloy wheels are 18-inch as standard, reaching up to 21-inch as an option.

R-Design (starting from £29,755) models add a touch of sporting prowess with 18-inch diamond-cut matt black alloy wheels as standard and a gloss black front grille, as well as front and rear lower bumper sections, a black roof and door mirrors, and dual integrated exhaust pipes.

Sports suspension is also uprated and on the inside, there's leather/nubuck upholstery, front seat cushion extensions, a perforated leather steering wheel and gear knob, and aluminium dashboard inlays.

Inscription (£30,405) models go all out with a focus on luxury. This means leather-faced upholstery, a power-operated tailgate, front parking sensors, a powered driver's seat, driftwood interior inlays and chrome exterior highlights.

Ben Robb, brand manager at The Fuelcard People, comments: “Volvo’s SUVs have been great since the XC90 started afresh in 2015 and the advancements from that car are slowly but surely filtering down to the rest of the Volvo range. It is all the better for it, in our opinion.”