Volvo XC40 interior
The Volvo XC40’s interior has a classy minimalist design and an eye-catching infotainment screen. Sadly, it’s not the easiest system to use and the XC40 also suffers from patchy build quality.
Style
The Volvo XC40’s interior has a premium look and feel that marks it out from well-built but dowdy mainstream alternatives such as the Volkswagen Tiguan. In fact, it’s classy enough to be considered an alternative to posh SUVs such as the Mercedes GLA, Audi Q3 and BMW X1.
That said, none of them have the Volvo XC40’s portrait style, 9-inch infotainment screen. It means that conventional buttons are kept to a neat single row in the centre of the dash, including a large volume knob in the centre that is easy to reach for when you’re on the move.
The XC40 features soft-to-the-touch plastics and expensive-looking trims. The only problem is the construction, which has inconsistent gaps between panels that you wouldn’t find in an Audi Q3.
On the upside, even entry-level Volvo XC40 Momentum models get textile-vinyl (friends will assume they’re half-leather) seats and Urban Grid Aluminium trim pieces that look very nice.
Sportier-looking R-Design models get leather/nubuck upholstery, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob and aluminium inlays.
Inscription models are the poshest, and come with a full leather interior and unvarnished wooden trim pieces that look as good as anything Mercedes has to offer.
- Cash
- £25,982
- Monthly
- £320*
- Used
- £22,690
Infotainment
Watch our Volvo XC40 interior and infotainment video review
If you’ve ever used an Apple iPad then you’ll have no problem operating the Volvo XC40’s 9-inch infotainment display. It lets you swipe between menus and pinch to zoom in on maps, and has a conventional ‘home’ button at the bottom of the screen so you can skip quickly to the main menu.
Entering a postcode is easily done while you’re parked – either by writing in the letters with your finger or by typing them in via the onscreen keyboard – but it’s more fiddly to do when you’re driving than it is in the BMW X1 or Audi Q3. Sadly wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are optional extras only.
In fairness, the Volvo XC40 wins some points back by offering an app for your smartphone, so you can programme the sat-nav without even having to leave the house. You can also use it to preset the cabin temperature or open the car remotely.
On top of the central infotainment screen, you get another 12.3-inch digital driver’s display that’s an option on the BMW and Audi. It’s customisable, so you can flick between conventional dials or having a large map display for the sat-nav right in front of your eyes.
Completing the Volvo XC40’s audio-visual package is a standard stereo that has a very healthy 250W output and eight speakers. That should be enough for casual music fans, but if you’re a full-blown enthusiast you’ll want to tick the box for the 13-speaker, 650W Harman Kardon system that can envelop you in a wave of sound.
- Cash
- £25,982
- Monthly
- £320*
- Used
- £22,690
Build your own XC40 on carwow
Save on average £2,360 off RRP
*Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term and 8000 miles annually, VAT included.