Volvo XC40 review

Even with the optional space-sapping panoramic roof fitted there’s plenty of head room, along with lots of leg room and enough space to prevent you from banging elbows with your front passenger. Volvo has even moved the lower audio speakers from the doors to the dashboard to free up extra space.

The XC40 is full of thoughtful details, such as a pop-out rubbish bin between the front seats, sliding drawers beneath them and door pockets that are big enough to take a laptop or two large bottles of water.

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You also get a couple of big cupholders behind the gearlever and a sizeable cubby in front of it. This can be fitted with wireless charging for compatible smartphones.

Rear head and leg room aren’t quite as plentiful as they are in rivals such as the BMW X1 and Volkswagen Tiguan. Still, the XC40 has more leg room than the Evoque and certainly proves roomy enough that tall adults can sit comfortably without their heads brushing the rooflining or knees hitting the back of the front seats.

Thanks to the relatively wide rear bench, three adults sitting side by side is perfectly doable and there's lots of foot space under the front seats. The high central tunnel along the floor does give the middle passenger something to straddle, though.

Those in the rear benefit from cup holders in the centre armrest and reasonably big door bins.

Split-folding rear seats are standard and, if you add the optional Convenience Pack, can be lowered electrically with the flick of a switch by the boot's entrance. However, the seats are split 60/40, rather than in the more versatile 40/20/40 arrangement that the Evoque, X1 and Tiguan offer.

It's also a pity that, unlike the X1 or Tiguan, the XC40's rear seats don't slide to let you change the balance between rear leg room and luggage space, or recline for extra rear-seat comfort.

The XC40’s boot has a capacity of 460 litres, which appears underwhelming compared with the Tiguan’s and X1’s. However, it’s bigger than the Evoque's and its commendably square proportions make packing easy. If you don't opt for a spare wheel there's a large under-floor storage area added into the mix, and combined that means we managed to fit seven carry-on suitcases inside – the same number as we managed in a Tiguan. The Evoque will only take five. If you do have the spare wheel there's still storage beneath the boot floor, it's just not as voluminous. 

What’s more, there’s no load lip to heave luggage over, and if you opt for the Convenience Pack, the hinged boot floor can be folded up vertically, creating a divider to stop smaller items from sliding around. This also provides handy hooks for hanging shopping bags from. Another feature you get with this pack is a powered, hands-free tailgate and keyless entry.