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Volvo XC40 Recharge hybrid boot space & seating

It's one of the smaller plug-in hybrid SUVs around, but the XC40 is still a practical car for small families

Overall rating

4.0 out of 5

Boot space, seating & practicality rating

4.0 out of 5

Fuel Type:
Hybrid Petrol
LengthWidthHeightBoot volume (seats up/down)
4,425mm1,836mm1,658mm460/1,336 litres

Before its stylish makeover in recent years, Volvo was known for producing some of the most spacious and practical cars on sale. A shift to target the German mainstream has altered that slightly, however, with showroom appeal overtaking outright boot space on the priority list.

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The good news is that while the XC40 isn't the biggest plug-in hybrid SUV around, it does a great job of combining its sharp, fashionable looks with decent interior packaging. There's a good balance between passenger and boot space, while those up front get plenty of space to relax on longer trips. Excellent seats are a Volvo calling card and feature here to great effect, with plenty of adjustment for front-seat occupants.

Volvo XC40 Recharge interior space, storage & comfort

The XC40's squared-off styling pays dividends inside, where rear-seat passengers get plenty of headroom, even if you specify a panoramic sunroof. Legroom is good, too – more than adequate for adults to get comfortable – and while the centre seat is a little narrow and hampered by the 'transmission' tunnel (it actually houses the batteries), it's comfortable enough for short journeys.

Interior storage includes generously sized door bins, seat-back netting, two front cupholders, some handy centre-console trays for phones and smaller items, plus a storage bin under the centre armrest. Elasticated side straps in the boot are also a handy touch.

Boot space

The XC40 was always intended to get hybrid power so there’s no reduction in boot space to accommodate the batteries; the same 460-litre load space remains – 10 litres up on the BMW X3 hybrid. The rear seats fold down to increase this to 1,336 litres. Neither measurement is class-leading, but the boot is a useful shape, while an optional package adds a folding boot floor that can be arranged to stop items sliding around on the move.

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