AS with all of Volvo’s cars at the moment, this XC40 oozes quality at every turn.

The newest edition to the Swedish firm’s growing SUV family, it’s the baby of the bunch.

Think XC90 as a toddler, that sort of thing.

And it really is a great option for those that perhaps want all of the quality and style of the big one, but don’t need the size or, indeed, the price tag.

What we have here, therefore, is an excellent luxury small SUV.

It is a milestone car for Volvo, its first compact SUV and the first to be built on its new Compact Modular Architecture platform.

The aim is here is ‘youthful cousin’, as Volvo puts it, and it certainly is that.

It’s so well put together inside and out and it looks cracking.

Trims come in the usual Momentum, R-Design and Inscription, with ‘Pro’ add-ons for each.

Standard kit includes nine-inch touch screen, voice-activation, sat nav, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, alloys and Volvo’s On Call connected services setup.

R-Design, which we drove, adds sporty touches inside and out, as well as sports suspension.

Pro adds active bending headlights, bigger wheels, a powered driver’s seat, heated front seats and a heated windscreen.

Inscription is the luxury one and adds leather, power tailgate, front parking sensors and more.

There’s lots of tech for what adds up to semi-autonomous driving, including radar-controlled cruise and lane keep assistance, to name a couple.

Available in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, it’s an accomplished drive and an infinitely comfortable ride, but it’s an engaged experience too, with responsive handling.

The diesel we drove ¬ the D3 150hp unit – was lively out of eco mode, which does dull performance a bit (you can also have comfort, dynamic and off-road), but is good for everyday driving and efficient cruising.

The auto gearbox is smooth, if a little revvy.

This engine is good for 56mpg on paper and we managed 40+ in pretty much every scenario, from around town to the motorway.

There’s a more powerful diesel – the D4 – which has 190hp and similar economy figures.

There are three petrols. The T3 has 156hp and mid-40s MPG, while the T4 has 190hp and high 30s.

The top-end petrolhead one is the T5, with 247hp good for 62mph in 6.5 seconds. MPG is again in the high 30s.

The inside is superb – purely and simply a lesson in quality materials, great design and craftsmanship.

Rear legroom is decent and the boot is deep and tall.

The XC40 is just confirmation that Volvo has a top quality model for every buyer these days.

Prices range from £29,010 to £37,320, before options.