Volvo XC40 - Boot space, comfort & practicality

The Volvo XC40 has been created for a class where style and image traditionally take priority over outright space. So while the Volvo doesn’t have a vast cabin, it manages to do enough to stand out from the crowd.

The interior is neat, functional, and very Swedish in its design philosophy. If you place value in having soft-touch fabrics and squishy plastic on the dashboard, then it’ll probably be a disappointment, but really the interior is a decent place to spend time. 

The dashboard features only a few switches, so it has a clean and uncluttered look. The capacity of the door bins is huge, which is helped by Volvo’s decision to arrange the speakers on the dashboard instead of the doors.

There are plenty of clever touches, too. There’s a folding hook in the glovebox for hanging bags from, while the flimsy-looking lidded compartment between the front seats is removable and can be washed. There’s also a wireless phone charging pad and USB port at the base of the centre console.

Dimensions and size

The Volvo XC40 is 4,440mm long, 1,938mm wide (excluding side mirrors) and 1,652mm tall. That makes it a little shorter than the latest BMW X1 and Audi Q3, but it’s wider and taller than both of those rivals, which boosts space in the cabin.

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How practical is the Volvo XC40?

Seats & space in the front

You'll be disappointed if you expect the XC40 to provide a cavernous cabin. However, there’s plenty of space for two adults up front, and the tall driving position for a good view of your surroundings, and the relatively high roof adds to the sense of space inside.

You’ll be able to fit a couple of grown-ups in the back seats easily. The XC40 has a pretty long wheelbase, so they should be fine for legroom, and there’s plenty of headroom, even with the optional panoramic sunroof fitted. 

Seats & space in the back

You can fit three across the back at a push, but there’s a transmission tunnel running down the middle of the floor - a remnant of the time when Volvo offered four-wheel drive in the XC40 - so middle-seat occupants might complain about having to place their feet on either side of it. Two Isofix child seat mounting points are provided on the outer positions of the rear seats.

Boot Space

The XC40's 443-litre boot isn't the largest load bay in its class, but it’s easy to use the space available. That’s because the mild-hybrid version's boot has an impressively flat floor, with no lip at the front edge, making it easy to slide heavier items in there. Even more importantly, the rear seats fold down completely flat, so you get a level load bay and 1,319 litres of space at your disposal. This is more space than you’ll get in the electric EX40 that uses the same platform, because of that car’s different packaging to make room for the drive battery.

The Convenience Pack includes a folding boot floor that divides the space, and provides a way to stop items rolling around. The hinges even stand proud of the top edge of the resulting divider, giving you a few extra points from which to hang shopping bags.

Towing

Towing capacities for the XC40 vary depending on which engine you choose. The mild-hybrid B3 has a 1,600kg maximum braked trailer weight, but buyers prioritising towing ability will be better served by the more powerful B4, which is not only torquier but has a 2,000kg braked limit. A retractable towbar is priced at around £1,400.