Glos Guy, we had a second test drive this time of an Inscription and felt the suspension was much smoother than the R-Design, and the handling not compromised. It didn’t feel as though it should corner well when pushed, but it did.
The electric range will be enough for MrsW when she gets back to her short commute in September, so we anticipate weekdays will rarely see the petrol engine used. Also the ability to pre-condition in the winter was quite a plus.
I know you are concerned about engine size, but I found the acceleration and power response of the combined engine and electric motor is equal to the 2 litre X1 . Even with an (in theory) empty battery, the electric motor cuts in when it’s needed without hesitation.
There were two things that tipped the decision in the end. MrsW found getting in and out much easier. The seats come much closer to the doors than our current X1 and the squab bolsters are lower, so she could transfer sideways much more easily. The other thing was we visited a garden centre car park we know well. The X1 would jostle and bounce over the uneven surface but the XC40 did not. The ride is much more composed at low speeds, even if the X1 is more reassuring at speed.
My main negative remains, which is the look of the thing!