First impressions: city magnet or understated workhorse?
At a glance the Volvo XC40 announces itself with a distinctive, modern swagger — sharp angles, Swedish restraint turned stylish — while the Skoda Karoq arrives as a deliberately practical companion, tidy and sensible rather than showy. The XC40 wants to be noticed in the urban jungle; the Karoq prefers to blend in and quietly do its job exceptionally well. That contrast sets the tone for everything that follows: one prioritises personality, the other prioritises purpose.