Volvo XC40 Recharge Review

Electrifying.com score

7/10

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Price: £49,950 - £56,700

The XC40 Recharge is a high quality, all-electric SUV that has a good driving range. It's a shame that the first edition versions so uncomfortable on rough roads.

Watch Ginny's video review here.

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  • Battery size: 78kWh
  • Miles per kWh: 3.32
  • E-Rating™: B

    Click here to find out more about our electric car Efficiency Rating.​

  • Max charge rate: 125 kW
  • Range: 259 miles
Play

  • Battery size: 78kWh
  • Miles per kWh: 3.32
  • E-Rating™: B

    Click here to find out more about our electric car Efficiency Rating.​

  • Max charge rate: 125 kW
  • Range: 259 miles
  • Volvo XC40 Recharge front action
  • Volvo XC40 Recharge rear action shot in countryside
  • Volvo XC40 Recharge static side on with interesting building in background
  • Volvo XC40 Recharge static front three quarters with office building in background
  • Volvo XC40 Recharge charge port and socket with cable
  • Volvo XC40 Recharge interior dashboard facia
  • Volvo XC40 Recharge luggage space
  • Volvo XC40 Recharge interior infotainment screen
  • Electrifying.com E-Rating B

Ginny Says

“I'm a big fan of Volvo, who I think have been through a design revolution. But I just couldn't get on with the all-electric version. I think the lower power models will make a little more sense than the top-spec models, as there's not really any need for it to be this fast and it's uncomfortable on rough roads.”

Nicki Says

“This seems to be a 'right-sized' SUV for me. There's plenty of space, technology and performance but it isn't as unnecessarily large as some of the bigger, more expensive electric SUVs. If you don't want to go full electric it also comes in plug-in and hybrid versions.”

We love fast cars here at Electrifying, but can't help feel that the XC40 is almost unnecessarily fast for a family SUV. The comfort suffers on rough roads too.

  • 0-62mph:4.9 secs
  • Top speed: 112mph
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Performance

The XC40 is a seriously quick car, with acceleration performance which is only be bettered by some pretty heavyweight petrol-powered SUVs. The claimed acceleration time of 4.9 seconds to 62mph is the same as a Ferrari 355 was managing 20 years ago.  

In fact, the 402bhp produced by its two electric motors is twice that of a conventionally-engined XC40. That is great if you want to show off or bait Standard Range Tesla Model 3 owners. It might also come in useful for overtaking or getting up to speed on a motorway slip road, but it just seems a little excessive to us. Different selectable driving modes will help tame the power, but we hope that Volvo will make cheaper versions with more ‘normal’ performance soon.

Drive

Generally, the XC40 is much more involving to drive than the bigger XC60 and XC90 SUVs, with less roll when you are cornering and more feel through the steering wheel. But the XC40 will never feel sporty in the same way as a BMW or Audi rival, but that doesn't mean it has a cosseting ride. The XC40 crashes through potholes and over poorly-surfaced roads and only really feels comfortable on smooth roads or at speeds over 50mph.

The Recharge version of the XC40 is carrying an extra 500kg compared to the petrol version, as battery packs are heavy. This affects how the car corners and brakes, but the weight is kept low down in the car so it does at least feel stable. Regenerative braking means the stopping power is strong too, and that the energy isn’t wasted. 

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