Car of the Year Awards 2026: Best family SUV interior

For longer than most of us can probably remember, Volvo has been making legendarily comfortable, practical and robust interiors that impart a strong sense of security for occupants. That’s still the case today, but current models such as the XC40 also have an understated coolness to the design of their interiors that contrasts vividly with the often ostentatious offerings from the premium German brands.

Of course, you have to spend quite a bit more for an XC40 than a Kia Sportage, but the pay-off is top-notch quality; the XC40 feels more luxurious inside than any other family SUV.

Our recommended Plus Pro trim – one down from the top tier – comes with soft leather seat upholstery, an attractive natural driftwood inlay across the dashboard and a crystal gear selector. This is on top of the XC40’s usual soft-touch materials and elegant trim finishers; you’ll find much less evidence of hard plastics here than you would in an Audi Q3, and it’s all put together with unerring precision.

True, the infotainment system isn’t as slick or easy to use as some rivals’, but a superb driving position and high levels of comfort and refinement more than compensate.

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