Volvo isn’t resting on its laurels.
The XC40 Recharge Pure Electrical is barely three years outdated, but it surely’s already been overhauled; together with the same old mid-life inside tweaks and styling modifications, front-wheel drive fashions have made the leap to rear-wheel drive.
The range-topping dual-motor mannequin on take a look at right here remains to be all-wheel drive… but it surely’s picked up extra vary, and in world dominated by electrical automobile worth cuts has really change into dearer.
Our range-topping Recharge Twin Pure Electrical is now near $90,000 while you account for on-road prices, making it pricier than a plethora of larger rivals.
How does the up to date XC40 form up after its nip-and-tuck?
How does the Volvo XC40 examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Volvo XC40 in opposition to equally sized autos.
Volvo
XC40
How a lot does the Volvo XC40 value?
Value hikes have been utilized to the electrical XC40 Recharge for 2024; within the case of the range-topping tester right here you’ll pay near $5000 greater than for the pre-update mannequin.
| Mannequin Variant | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2024 Volvo XC40 Plus B4 | $54,990 |
| 2024 Volvo XC40 Final B4 Vibrant | $61,990 |
| 2024 Volvo XC40 Final B4 Darkish | $62,990 |
| 2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electrical | $76,990 |
| 2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Pure Electrical | $85,990 |
To see how the Volvo XC40 Recharge stacks up in opposition to its electrical rivals, use our comparability instrument.
What’s the Volvo XC40 like on the within?
For all of the modifications beneath the pores and skin, the brand new XC40 Recharge is acquainted behind the wheel.
It’s nonetheless somewhat SUV that punches above its weight for practicality, and feels grown up behind the wheel. Because of a current replace, its know-how has additionally taken a step ahead since its debut.
The entrance seats supply a commanding view over the sq. bonnet, and strike a neat steadiness between padding and the type of help you want on lengthy drives. Volvo does a number of the finest pews within the enterprise, and the XC40 continues the custom.
With an upright dashboard and minimalist, crisp traces, you received’t be mistaking the XC40 for something however a Volvo at first look. The dashboard options an fascinating backlit trim designed to imitate a topographical map that appears nice at evening, however a bit bland in daylight.
The vegan materials on the seats is form to cows, but it surely’s not almost as good to the touch as leather-based. Given the value of this automobile, we’d fairly one thing fascinating like wool – or correct leather-based.
Dominating the sprint is a vertically-oriented 9.0-inch touchscreen, which sits in the identical housing because the show within the petrol mannequin however options some EV-specific options like a variety assistant.
The bones of the software program had been developed by Google, which suggests you get Hey Google voice and Google Maps commonplace, however the system is ready as much as look acquainted to anybody who’s used the Sensus tech in older fashions.
It’s snappy to make use of, and the power to obtain apps like Spotify from the Google Play retailer opens the door for a stage of customisation not presently doable in most infotainment programs.
Having the identical individuals who do the software program for cell phones design your Bluetooth interface, for instance, means this is likely one of the best vehicles by which to discover a contact and make a name on the transfer.
It’s additionally improved considerably. At launch, you didn’t get CarPlay – and the community connection was a bit ropey. Now, you get wired CarPlay and we didn’t undergo any dropouts or main points with the community. The perks of software program updates, proper?
The motive force is confronted with a clear, easy digital instrument binnacle with inbuilt Google Maps. It’s glorious, though you’re gentle on for configuration choices in comparison with what’s on supply in some rival luxurious marques.
This stays a extremely wise, sensible cabin. The deep door pockets, spacious transmission tunnel (that is based mostly on a petroleum automobile in spite of everything), and under-dash area are all cleverly designed, though you don’t get the identical sense of open-plan lightness on supply in some devoted EV rivals.
Rear seat passengers are higher catered for than you may anticipate of a automobile that’s comparatively compact on paper. For one, they get their very own vents, together with a fold-down central armrest and spacious door pockets.
The tall roofline means headroom is sweet sufficient for adults to get comfy again there, even with the panoramic sunroof, and the quantity of legroom will accomodate tall youngsters.
Some compact-ish crossovers are a kid-only proposition within the rear, however the XC40 punches above its weight. It’s a great place to spend time, and calls for few compromises in comparison with a similarly-priced petrol automobile.
There are two ISOFIX factors and three top-tether anchors again there for youngster seats. The massive rear door opening makes this a better automobile to load youngster seats into as properly… but it surely’s nonetheless not on fairly the identical stage as a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Tesla Mannequin Y.
There’s a small space for storing beneath the bonnet, but it surely’s not what you’d name capacious. It’s finest reserved for the cost cables, however not far more.
| Dimensions | Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin |
|---|---|
| Size | 4440mm |
| Width | 1938mm |
| Top | 1651mm |
| Wheelbase | 2702mm |
| Boot capability | 410L-1295L |
To see how the Volvo XC40 Recharge stacks up in opposition to its electrical rivals, use our comparability instrument.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
Though the bottom XC40 Recharge has switched from front- to rear-wheel drive, the Twin stays all-wheel drive.
| Mannequin | XC40 Recharge Twin |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Twin-motor electrical |
| Battery | 82kWh lithium-ion |
| Energy | 300kW |
| Torque | 670Nm |
| 0-100km/h | 4.8 seconds |
| Pushed Wheels | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 2170kg |
| Vitality effectivity (claimed) | 15kWh/100km (NEDC) |
| Vitality effectivity (as examined) | 26kWh/100km |
| Claimed vary | 485km |
| Max DC cost price | 180kW |
To see how the Volvo XC40 Recharge stacks up in opposition to its electrical rivals, use our comparability instrument.
How does the Volvo XC40 drive?
It is a quick automobile.
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2025 EX40 proven
Put your foot down and, regardless of its chunky Scandinavian exterior and hefty kerb weight, it lunges off the mark with the type of vigour you’d anticipate of a Volkswagen Golf R.
You’re additionally capable of get out of parking spots or your storage in a rush; there’s no begin button to mess about with right here, you simply stand on the brake and slot the automobile into drive. That’s not often the case in vehicles based mostly on legacy inner combustion platforms.
There’s an actual sense of solidity to all of the controls. The accelerator requires a agency push, and the steering is direct. It’s not a tough automobile to drive, although.
As soon as dialled into the heavy-handed regenerative braking you seldom have to take your foot off the accelerator within the metropolis, and it’s completely {smooth} and quiet at metropolis speeds.
The XC40 Recharge is a cheerful camper within the metropolis, the place its upright physique and compact proportions make it a pure match.
It squeezes simply into tight parking bays, and is simple to string via my tight underground storage. The grainy surround-view digicam isn’t precisely best for small areas although, and undermines the high-tech feeling you’d anticipate of an electrical automobile.
It’s lengthy been a problem with Volvo vehicles, and one which lastly seems to have been addressed within the even newer EX30.
With a comparatively springy, taut suspension tune, the XC40 by no means feels outright plush.
You’re conscious of its weight, and the very fact holding all 2100kg of it in verify is hard while you’re caught with a passive metal suspension setup as a substitute of dearer air or adaptive dampers.
With that stated, the Recharge nonetheless does a great job holding metropolis bumps and potholes out of the cabin, and it feels tied-down over huge crests and dips on the freeway. It looks like a shrunken XC60 or XC90 at pace.
Street noise is sort of noticeable right here – as has all the time been the case throughout the XC40 – on nation roads. That isn’t unusual in luxurious European vehicles, designed to work on billiard-table-smooth tarmac fairly than coarse-chip roads.
The tyre roar and wind rustle from the mirrors could have you turning up the stereo a few clicks, though it’s nonetheless quieter than, say, a Mercedes-Benz EQA on related roads.
The place the Volvo actually shines on the open street is relating to its driver assists. It’ll maintain its distance to a automobile in entrance, and actively steer to remain in its lane.
In contrast to some vehicles, the place you’re feeling such as you’re combating the pc mind, the Pilot Help within the XC40 feels nearly proper.
What do you get?
On take a look at right here is the flagship XC40 Recharge Twin Pure Electrical.
XC40 Recharge Pure Electrical highlights:
- 19-inch wheels
- 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Google built-in working system
- Google Automotive Companies
- Volvo Vehicles app
- DAB+ digital radio
- 8-speaker sound system
- 12-inch digital instrument show
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- LED headlights and tail lights
- Keyless entry and begin
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Heated entrance and rear seats
- Energy-folding rear headrests
- Fingers-free energy tailgate
- Auto-dimming inside, exterior mirrors
Recharge Twin Pure Electrical provides:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Harman Kardon premium sound system
- Vegan textile inside trim
- Encompass-view digicam
Is the Volvo XC40 protected?
The Volvo XC40 has a five-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on testing performed by Euro NCAP in 2018.
This 2018 Euro NCAP testing was initially performed on the petrol-powered XC40, however the ranking was prolonged to incorporate the pure-electric and plug-in hybrid Recharge fashions.
| Class | Volvo XC40 |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 97 per cent |
| Youngster occupant safety | 84 per cent |
| Weak street person safety | 71 per cent |
| Security help | 78 per cent |
Customary security options embrace:
- Entrance, facet, curtain and driver’s knee airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Weak street person detection
- Lane departure warning
- Lane maintain help
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise management
- Encompass-view digicam
- Entrance, rear parking sensors
How a lot does the Volvo XC40 value to run?
The XC40 Recharge is backed by the identical guarantee because the broader Volvo vary, however comes with the added perk of free servicing.
| Operating prices | Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5r years, limitless kilometres |
| Battery guarantee | 8 years or 160,000 kilometres |
| Service intervals | 2 years or 30,000km |
| 5-year service plan | Free |
CarExpert’s Tackle the Volvo XC40
The Recharge Twin is a sensible, comfy SUV, but it surely’s not the electrical XC40 we’d advocate.
It’s near $10,000 dearer than the equally beautiful Single Motor – and though it packs a severe punch in a straight line, that comes at the price of vary.
Volvo has made some modifications to try to enhance its effectivity, but it surely’s nonetheless miles in need of the Tesla Mannequin Y.
If you happen to’re into street tripping, it limits the automobile’s usefulness. Even in the event you’re a metropolis slicker, it prices more cash to go the identical distance as in its rivals.
Sure, the Recharge Twin is quick. However the base XC40 Recharge is a extra gifted all-rounder, and a extra wise decide for anybody seeking to make the leap to electrical energy.
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