I was not sure what to expect when I discovered that I would be testing a Volvo. Although I was able to appreciate the fact that this Swedish manufacturer had a long and successful history, I still thought that there was a stigma attached to the brand that made them quite… old mannish I suppose is the term I am looking for. I discovered that if anything, I was the one stuck in the past. The new S40 has definitely been crafted with a much younger target audience in mind.

The design characteristics of the Volvo S40 are subtle and original but mostly very clean: Scandinavian simplicity at its artistic best. Clearly, Volvo does not do boxes any more with its saloons. From a distance, the S40 looks somewhat like an Audi A4, which is its primary competition, but when you look again you appreciate the unique soft snub nose. Form followed function, as short overall length was a primary engineering objective. Sexiness was a styling objective, and the S40 achieves both.

The interior of the S40 represents a revolutionary and innovative new design for Volvo, that’s a good thing. It looks great and, best of all, it’s all intuitive, unlike the top-of-the-line models from Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

The centre console is only about one inch thick, like a computer monitor with a flat screen. Behind it is a storage bin. Simple, clever, practical, handsome and so typically Swedish. You have to reach around the back of the stack to gain access to that shallow storage space, but it’s better to have it than to waste it. The console begins behind the beautifully minimalist gear lever, and curves gracefully upward to link the console with the instrument panel.

The audio, climate and other buttons are arranged vertically and there are four round knobs at the corners. One of those four knobs is a menu control that easily accesses more in-depth information and controls. Above the buttons is an information screen.

The sumptuous off-black leather seats offer the best possible platform to enjoy the rewarding yet luxurious ride that the Volvo offers. Although it’s not the most powerful engine in the range, the 4-cylinder, 2-litre unit is probably the best for everyday use.

It can propel you to 62mph in 8.9 seconds and will keep going till it reaches 130mph and yet you can achieve a very impressive 38.2mpg (combined) if you tame your driving style a little. The feature I would say sets the S40 apart from others in its category must be the fantastic handling.

The springs and suspension feel quite firm when you put this compact Volvo through its paces on the corners, however if you switch to a rougher, more uneven surface the suspension isn’t jarring and the car doesn’t suffer the jolts you’d expect. It seems like Volvo has found the perfect compromise between luxury and sport in this exciting new package.

The S40 range starts off at a mere £15,730 OTR for the 1.6 S40 S and rises all the way up to the £25,115 D5 Geartronic SE Sport. With five different petrol variants (including the spectacular T5) and two diesel options, Volvo has ensured that there is an option that will suit you whatever your requirements. German manufacturers beware; Sweden’s finest has just upped the ante.