DRIVERS who can't be bothered to indicate when changing lanes have always irritated me - but against my better judgment I'm going to save them £1,900.

That's the cost should they add the Driver Support Pack to the Volvo V40 T5 R-Design Lux Nav model.

This safety conscious bundle features things like collision warning with full auto brake and a blind spot information system.

Crucially though, for our indicator stalk challenged friends, it also has something called a Lane Keeping Aid. Try to change lanes without telling anyone about it and the compact executive hatchback assumes you have fallen asleep and sends a shudder through the steering wheel to wake you up.

A brilliant innovation from a manufacturer renowned for them - but an impossible to live with menace for inconsiderate oafs everywhere.

The safety theme is a major one for the V40 - as it is for all Volvo models - and a raft of equipment is included as standard.

The car achieved the maximum five stars on the Euro NCAP crash testing thanks to features such as traction and stability control plus a plethora of airbags. It can be a touch overbearing though - exceed the speed limit at any time and a sign on the digital dashboard will start blinking to remind you to slow down.

That said, with a 2.0-litre four cylinder brute of a petrol engine propelling the car from 0-62mph in a shade over six seconds on its way to a top speed of 149mph it is perhaps a case of the more safety features the merrier as you zoom along.

Power is nothing without control though and the V40's suspension does a nice job ensuring the balance between comfort and cornering ability is just right. The steering is sharp and the handling assured.

And even though the T5 - linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission - boasts 245bhp and hot hatch performance levels, it will achieve more than 40 miles per gallon with emissions that stack up when measured against competitors.

Step inside and you'll discover a smart and stylish cabin with comfortable leather seats and soft-touch materials offering a premium feel. Driver and front-seat passenger have plenty of room but things in the rear are a little tighter.

I found there to be just enough leg and head room, although anyone six-foot or taller is going to find things a bit of a squeeze.

Three can be accommodated in the back but not for long. It is clearly designed for two passengers with a natty hidden cup holder for both popping out when a tab is pulled. The rear door bins are quite small but there are seat pockets for your bits and bobs.

Choose the optional panoramic sunroof and a light and airy atmosphere is assured at the press of a button as a mesh covering slides back to reveal the sky.

The 335-litre boot has a false floor with a tiered storage system where there is space for a variety of odds and sods. It can cope with the weekly family supermarket shop but not a set of golf clubs. However, the rear seats split and fold easily via a simple mechanism which also sports a warning light if the seat isn't put back in place properly.

Volvo ensure everything is logically placed for the driver starting with the covered storage bin, leading to two cup holders followed by the smart gear lever and a centre console featuring a blizzard of controls and buttons - a few too many actually. Two vents are then topped by a colour digital screen. A natty dashboard display contains the speedo, rev counter, fuel level indicator and gear selected.

The leather-covered steering wheel helpfully provides controls for the majority of the car's systems you'll use most regularly bar the dual-zone climate control which is situated at the heart of the centre console.

The R-Design's exterior is pleasing on the eye with sweeping lines, a wide stance and a snub nose as well as styling that is more aggressive and sporty than the standard car. There's a natty part-glass hatchback door which adds to the modern feel.