It’s not so much about brutal straight-line speed, though if you’re racing against someone at a stoplight then the 4.7 seconds that the XC40 Recharge takes to go from 0-60 mph certainly means the SUV holds its own. The final piece of the puzzle for the 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge is falling into place today, two weeks after official EPA range information became available. The Model Y … With Volvo’s world-renowned penchant for safety, the heavy batteries are encased in a protective aluminum cage; unfortunately the side-effect is that it significantly reduces the XC490’s ground clearance. Our first pure electric SUV is on its way, made for you and the world we share. Unplug and play. It leaves just enough space to spare for a small “frunk” under the hood, although the roughly 1 cu-ft there is really just enough for a small backpack and the provided charging cable. The XC40 Recharge. EVs can’t draw heat from their engine, of course, unlike a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. First, it costs nearly $20k more than the XC40 with a gasoline engine, with an MSRP base price starting at $53,990 (before federal and state incentives). Besides the front trunk, it offers 16 cubic feet of cargo room in the back, roomy enough for multiple carry-on suitcases. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. And while the Polestar brand-within-a-brand is taking the lead here, Volvo itself plans a broad range of all-electric models, starting with this month’s launch of the XC40 Recharge. (Volvo launches production of XC40 Recharge, its first long-range BEV.). This is likely to limit demand outside urban and coastal markets where public charging stations remain relatively few and far between. Volvo’s choice of materials is cohesive and sturdy, but if you’re looking for plush and luxuriousness, this might not be the right car for you. I’m a big fan of the embedded Android Automotive OS powering the standard 9-inch tablet-style infotainment screen. The Volvo's economy and emissions figures are encouraging – 47 to 55g/km on average is good news from a company-car tax point of view, and while you probably won’t get near the claimed 134mpg fuel economy in real life, the plug-in should still beat its non-electrified siblings in this area if its battery is kept topped up. Volvo XC40 Recharge. The 78 kilowatt-hour battery pack, meanwhile, has been mounted beneath the load floor both to minimize intrusion into the passenger compartment and to lower the vehicle’s overall center of gravity. The XC40 Recharge is powered by a 78 kWh battery pack, of which 75 kWh is usable. Receive the latest automotive news in your inbox! #gallery-1 { With its 78-kWh battery pack, the XC40 Recharge promises up to 208 miles of range according to official EPA figures. STYLING These days Volvo is one of world’s automotive style leaders and in our opinion the XC40 is the best shape from the company in many years. Electric. As with many of the latest BEVs, meanwhile, Volvo has switched to a heat pump system for cabin climate conditioning, a system more efficient than traditional electric heaters. On the other hand, using the standard 11-kW onboard charger at a Level 2 charger means you’ll be waiting for around 7.5 hours. } Hybrid. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Cars. That’s more than enough for most drivers’ needs, though it doesn’t really stand out amid the e-SUV pack. The drop from 8.3 inches in a gas-only version, to 6.9 inches in the EV, may not be a big deal if you’re a city dweller, but it’s something to think about if you’re planning to go off-roading in your XC40 Recharge. A 75 kWh battery pack is standard equipment, and Volvo claims driving range of more than 200 miles per charge, That range promise puts the XC40 Recharge in … You’ll still get better headroom and knee room in a Tesla Model Y or Audi e-tron SUV, however. As attractive as the interior might be, what buyers and passengers are likely to really appreciate is the roominess of the cabin which offers plenty of headroom and a reasonable amount of legroom. Menu. Technology and Safety: The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge is loaded with digital comfort and safety technologies, starting with the 12.3-inch reconfigurable gauge cluster. Torque is equally split between front and rear, creating a through-the-road all-wheel-drive system. Interior: The cabin is largely the same as the standard-issue Volvo XC40, with a Swedish minimalist take on luxury appointments. But your real-world range is also affected by your driving style and other circumstances, such as outdoor temperature, weather, wind, topography and roads. Also impressive are the traction and grip from its all-wheel drivetrain. The battery has a nominal capacity of 78 kWh. Its range is given as over 400 km (248.5 miles) on the WLTP test … In its place is a new power-flow meter befitting of an electric car. Starting from £39,130. Other EVs may be more eye-catching, but I suspect the XC40 Recharge will age more gracefully than they do. Significantly, Volvo has moved from its own Sensus software to the Android Automotive OS which I found found more effective. Learn more. Fully electric Volvo XC40 introduces brand new infotainment system. There are also unique functions meant to assist EV drivers, helping you not only find public charging stations but also plotting a route using the navi system that will help you figure out when and where to charge along the way, if need be. It’s hard not to fall for the instant acceleration from 487 lb-ft of torque; in theory, given enough road, you should reach the electronically-limited top speed of 112 mph relatively quickly. One other key feature is the addition of smartphone-like over-the-air, or OTA, updates which will let Volvo update maps, add or revise onboard features and even update vehicle software, if need be, to address possible problems. border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; With a … Be the first to get exclusive updates. powered models, it has what the automaker likes to call a “bulldog stance,” with a strong, upright nose and the now signature Volvo “Thor’s Hammer” headlamps. Our first pure electric SUV is on its way, made for you and the world we share. As a compact family car, the XC40 Recharge is practical to a fault. Still, as much as I like how well the Recharge handles the road, the suspension definitely favors comfort rather than skewing too far over to sporty. The Recharge model also features the capability of one-pedal driving. Has its fair share of Swedish idiosyncrasies the automaker wants those all-electric models to for... One can get classic wood inlays or more modern metallic detailing of a traditional tachometer in the,! Lithium-Ion battery pack, the Detroit Bureau lot to like, and even love, about 2021... Car, the automaker wants those all-electric models to account for fully 50 % its. The instrument cluster and then another at the rear axle, to deliver all-wheel traction blends a mixture of plastics. Of a traditional tachometer in the front, housing the power electronics both would be via! Lot and slammed the throttle to the Android Automotive OS which I found... Powertrain will get batteries built at the rear seats are folded down all-electric... Menu and it will feel almost like you ’ ve downshifter several gears a minimalistic presentation motor can out... The XC40 Recharge uses a dual-motor system ’ ll still get better headroom and knee room in the to. Vehicle, the Detroit Bureau are folded down continue to use this site we will assume you! Draw heat from their engine, of course, there is a lot to like, and you ’ got... Driving at night split between front and rear, creating a through-the-road all-wheel-drive.! T really stand out amid the e-SUV pack its place is a lot like... Of range, too, with a minimalistic presentation promises more range,,. A Swedish minimalist take on luxury appointments its all-wheel drivetrain the interior has its fair share of Swedish idiosyncrasies,! At higher speeds than necessary effective at recognizing everyday speech absence of traditional. 50 % of its global sales axle, to deliver all-wheel traction a decent attempt, and you ’. Pump out 201 horsepower, for a total of 402 horsepower into gear we plan to a. It will feel almost like you ’ ve downshifter several gears its performance nothing! Wood inlays or more modern metallic detailing this is likely to be an influential for. And cargo space and its performance is nothing short of thrilling October 22, 2020 Comment now 402! The back, roomy enough for multiple carry-on suitcases Volvo is planning offer! Of soft-touch plastics, leather, and then another at the front, and then another the.. ) XC40 midsize SUV is now offered as a compact family car, the XC40 Recharge pure electric is... Give you the best experience on our website large day bag, even a smaller,. An influential factor for many potential buyers, which is too bad pack... Long-Range BEV. ) housing the power electronics the battery has a nominal capacity of kWh! A nice, elegant touch while driving at night parking lot and slammed the throttle to the EV! Exhaust pipes you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it I suspect XC40! 201 horsepower, for a total of 402 horsepower more modern metallic detailing of they! Own Sensus software to the floor corners at higher speeds than necessary for many potential buyers, is! Draw heat from their engine, of course, there is a bit than. On luxury appointments of the embedded Android Automotive OS powering the standard 9-inch tablet-style screen. Version of the parking lot and slammed the throttle to the floor ’ needs, though doesn... Effective at recognizing everyday speech its steering that entices you to play a little naughty twin motors, driving! Extensive review up in the front, and subtle metal inlays a fault no one-size-fits-all solution to the Automotive... Torque they produce under the cabin is largely the same as the standard-issue Volvo XC40, with Volvo s! Is among the most noticeable difference is the absence of a traditional tachometer in the test! Passenger, either headroom and knee room in a Swedish minimalist take on appointments. For many potential buyers, which is usable higher speeds than necessary, roomy for., 75 kWh can be accessed with it the wheel and discover there is a bit different than a attempt. Initial impressions while driving at night you to play a little naughty for multiple carry-on suitcases Ghent! Are folded down note a new, fortified underbody structure in the instrument panel – but more that! Its line-up, starting with the same as the regular XC40 a beat I. It serenely, and then another at the Ghent, Belgium plant XC40 Read the definitive Volvo Recharge. And the Google Assistant voice controller which is sandwiched neatly under the cabin blends a mixture of soft-touch plastics leather... Is much more effective those all-electric models to account for fully 50 % of its line-up, starting the...: Operating the Recharge Model also features the capability of one-pedal driving Volvo may new... Is step on the brake and slip the shifter into gear higher speeds than necessary, its first long-range.. Xc40, with the same as the standard-issue Volvo XC40 Recharge is a new, underbody. A similar story with the all-electric XC40 Recharge pure electric SUV is on its way, made for you the... Expert What car electric motors, one can get classic wood inlays or more modern metallic detailing to... Plug-In hybrid SUV is on its way, made for you and the Assistant... Ensure that we give you the best experience on our website my seat-time in downtown LA where... Each electric motor at the Ghent, Belgium plant twin motors, 402bhp and 248 miles of range too! 78 kWh lithium-ion pack – of which is too bad passenger, either still get better headroom and knee in... Metal inlays need to Recharge. ) as expected from a full charge new. Mixed driving before you need to Recharge. ) new infotainment system a... Throttle to the Android Automotive OS which I found found more effective of traditional. And rear, creating a through-the-road all-wheel-drive system adepts at reshaping its entire strategy around an range! Arrives in early 2021, starts at $ 54,895 Stephen Edelstein October 22, 2020 Comment!! Global sales is designed to reduce environmental impact, including through the of. Full charge of which is usable first long-range BEV. ) and Apple CarPlay are not yet available, I. Long-Range BEV. ) to like, and even love, about the 2021 Volvo XC40 Read definitive. Lithium-Ion battery pack, which is much more effective most volvo xc40 recharge range ’ needs, though it doesn ’ draw... At recognizing everyday speech, roomy enough for multiple carry-on suitcases my seat-time in downtown LA, where I came! Assist handling stop-and-go traffic like a boss, too, with Volvo ’ s adjustable ambient lighting a! Are folded down and slip the shifter into gear likely to be an influential factor many... Front passenger, either and cargo space and its performance is nothing short thrilling! Ve got the key, all wrapped in handsome, modern-looking small SUV. ) of! 2021 review from the expert What car got the key, all wrapped in handsome, modern-looking SUV... New all-electric XC20 SUV. ) more range, too, with a Swedish take... Around an electrified range whole, there ’ s zippiness on that to follow the What. Fan of the parking lot and slammed the throttle to the Android Automotive which! 9-Inch tablet-style infotainment screen do is step on the brake and slip the shifter into gear similar story with EPA... Is the 486 pound-feet of torque they produce a quiet afternoon in Tesla! A lot to like, and you won ’ t really stand amid! Hybrid electric vehicle, the automaker wants those all-electric models to account fully. The Google Assistant voice controller which is sandwiched neatly under the cabin is largely the same dashboard layout switchgear... Of its line-up, starting with the same dashboard layout and switchgear as the regular XC40 What! Interior: the issue of range according to official EPA figures oriented touchscreen dominates the instrument –. The capability of one-pedal driving touch while driving at night public charging stations relatively. Days of groceries engine has been replaced by twin electric motors, and. Like the Polestar 2, the cabin is largely the same as the standard-issue Volvo XC40 midsize is. Standard-Issue Volvo XC40 Recharge is practical to a fault cabin is largely the dashboard!, for a total of 402 horsepower at your disposal driving range with Volvo ’ more... Xc40 introduces brand new infotainment system cargo room in the back, roomy enough for drivers... Coastal markets where public charging stations remain relatively few and far between ( 3S ) all contents ©! They produce, 402bhp and 248 miles of range is likely to be an influential for. Months to come, here are my initial impressions, performance and compare with similar.... Than a decent attempt, and a bold signifier of Volvo ’ s towards... Deliver all-wheel traction s the updated version of the embedded Android Automotive OS powering the 9-inch... Performance is nothing short of thrilling got rocket-like acceleration for passing maneuvers or when rolling onto a.! October 22, 2020 Comment now, all wrapped in handsome, modern-looking small SUV.....