Love our Volvo V40, but it's relatively small, so depending what you need a V60 sounds good.
Though, that said, an A3 was (for a short while) a similarly-sized contender for us. Lost out on lack of tech, which tells you a lot!
Plus points of V40 - really safe, top quality, lots of tech options. 5-door hatchback ONLY (no estate or saloon options).
Possible downsides - realistically 4 good seats; fitting 5 adults for a long trip is not a good idea (local trips are fine). Boot is quite small.
And for your budget you may be looking at an older one; the newer models with the VEA engine range are IMHO better.
Only the top-of-range T5 Cross-country (which we have) is 4-wheel drive and faster than my S8 (up to about 100mph). No longer available new, not that you would care.
Most autos have a 6-speed Aisin (Borg-Warner as was?) box, the T5 has a superb 8-speed one. The extra speeds are really "overdrive" ratios for relaxed cruising.
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2003 D2 FL S8. Irish Green Pearl/Beige. Solar sunroof, auto-dim mirrors, electric rear seat functions and extended leather. Ski hatch retrofit. Aftermarket reversing camera. DVB-T and XCarlink now removed as redundant.
2016 Volvo V40 T5 Cross Country (4WD) with ALL the toys including adaptive cruise etc. etc. Osmium Grey with Blonde/Charcoal leather interior. Polestar performance "optimisation".  (Even rarer than a D2 S8!) Oh, and a brand new engine at just under 30,000 miles on the factory one! 
Finally: gone, but not forgotten.....
1998 D2 PF S8. Agate Grey/Platinum. Every option (I think) except electric rear seats, Tiptronic steering wheel, ski hatch, towbar & dimming door mirrors.
e.g. Cruise control, NavPlus/TV, Bose, GSM, Xenons, Solar roof, Parking sensors, Alcantara/leather everywhere of course.  (internal dimming mirror added later)
1998 (very early) Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec; ABS/TCS, Heated screen/mirrors, Aircon. Added Auto-dim mirror, Leather seats, Trip computer, Cruise control, OEM Ford SatNav with CD changer.
And before that a lot of Rover 800s, a few oddities, a lovely Triumph Dolomite 1850HL with Overdrive and way back in my schooldays an Austin Seven aka Mini 850!
Last edited by HPsauce; 11th June 2018 at 08:40 PM.
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