Touring Oslo in the Volvo XC40
The excitement of discovering a new city is hard to beat. Unfamiliar sights and sounds assault the senses, and the potential for adventure is always just around the next corner.
Having the right companion along for the ride can make all the difference, of course – and so can the right car. And the Volvo XC40 is an SUV that makes exploring any city fun, as we found out on a trip to Norway’s capital, Oslo.
From the first glance, it’s apparent that the XC40 is built for city adventures, with a high ride height and large wheels to soak up urban lumps and bumps, and an authentic SUV stance that promises go-anywhere agility.
Inside, the XC40 delivers on this promise. Visibility is excellent thanks to the high driving position, while the contemporary, uncluttered interior puts you at ease.
We’re in Oslo to spend a day exploring and enjoying the drive. There’s no agenda, and no timetable, because that’s often the best way to discover somewhere new. And the XC40 makes things easy because its commanding view, smooth controls and responsive steering inspire such confidence behind the wheel.
A morning passes happily as we move from the historic centre of Oslo to the Barcode Project – a recent development of high-rise buildings that encapsulates the progressive nature of this city.
In the afternoon we focus on the streets around Karl Johans gate – the main shopping district – where cars not only jostle for space with buses, cyclists and pedestrians, but also Oslo’s blue-and-white trams.
As we look out to the street daylight starts to fade, but the day’s not over yet. There’s plenty of time left to discover the city. There can’t be any better car to do it in than the Volvo XC40.
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