Volvo XC40 review – surprisingly capable compact SUV - Interior and tech
The XC40 is actually a decent steer, chassis delivers good blend of agility and comfort, while petrol engines are punchy if characterless
This is the area where Volvo has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years – and the XC40 is the latest example of its design confidence. Taking a typically Swedish minimalist approach, the cabin of the Volvo is refreshingly clean and modern in its design, with plenty of light wood and leather finishes helping to give a bright and airy feel. This is backed up by the actual space available, with decent legroom for those in the back and a useful 460-litre boot, which places it somewhere between mainstream family hatches such as the Golf and more spacious models like the Skoda Superb.
The dashboard is logically laid out and is dominated by the 9-inch tablet-style infotainment screen housed in the centre console. Featuring intuitive swipe and pinch functionality it controls all of the car’s major systems, from hi-fi and satnav to the numerous electronic safety aids. Speaking of which…
As you’d expect from Volvo, the XC40 is crammed full of the latest cutting-edge kit, such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane keep assist. There’s also the run-off-road systems that sense you’re about to leave the road and prime the car by pulling the seatbelts tight and closing any windows and the sunroof. On top of this little lot is the Pilot assist (£1625 or £1500 depending on model), which can brake, accelerate and steer the car at speeds of up to 80mph – although you still have to keep your hands on the wheel at all times.
