2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge (Incl. 2024 updates) – Road Test

Last year we drove the amazing Volvo V90 station wagon and loved it so – much it’s one of our favourite cars, albeit a station wagon! This time out we get the opportunity to drive an all-electric small SUV from Volvo. The V60 had a couple of un-Volvo quirks – what will this electric one throw up? Well some things are typical Volvo, but there’s a couple of things that we weren’t expecting…

Related: 2022 Volvo V90 Cross Country

What Is It?

Fully electric compact SUV (also available as a mild hybrid)
3 Models: Core, Plus & Ultimate
We’re driving the Ultimate Recharge Twin and as-such many features are only available on this trim level
AWD, Single speed transmission
Range: up to 409 km
0-100kph: 4.8 Seconds
The 20” Black Diamond Cut rims are unique to the Ultimate
Shift-by-wire technology allows you to easily flick between the three gear shifter positions Reverse, Neutral and Drive with one single movement
Key FOB – You can close the windows and the panorama roof and also stores your driver settings. With keyless locking you just have to carry the key to unlock the doors
Plus adds a Panorama Sunroof and Air purifier
Ultimate throws in the terrific Harman Kardon Premium Sound, Adaptive cruise control and Pilot Assist (a very cool safety feature – more below)

How Does It Look?

I love the look of it – a very futuristic Volvo
Great looking rims
The colour is Sage Green – it almost looks like it’s a flat finish from a distance, but it’s very metallic up close. Sure beats the usual silver, white and black vehicles that blot the highway

What’s It Like Inside?

Driver’s position and visibility is perfect
The driver gets a nice 12” digital display that is surprisingly limited in the options you can choose to view – Calm and Navi, that’s it
Adaptive power steering – in the car’s center display, you can also choose if you want a more firm steering feel through the entire speed range
Adjust the mirrors, check. Pair the phone, check. Press the start button… there isn’t one! Oh oh – I hate it when a manufacturer throws me a wobbly right out the gate. I look everywhere but there is no button. The column has a space where one should go, but it’s just one of those dummy spots where it screams out you don’t have something and we just stuck this here so you know. The driver’s display says put foot on brake, shift into Drive. OK, aahh that it – just like the Tesla, there’s no button and you just put it into park and get out and it switches off. A bit disconcerting, but that’s these newfangled cars for you…
You pull the shifter back to get D. To reverse you push the shifter forward and to park you press the button
The seats are very firm, but in typical Volvo fashion, they are extremely comfortable
Manual cushion extensions, driver and passenger – perfect for taller occupants
The multi-way powered front seats are heated (not cooled), including a power 4-way lumbar adjustment
The driver gets a 2-person memory (also the key FOB sets your preferences as you get in – nice)
The Interior – Charcoal Connect Suede textile on the seats is nice and grippy
Charcoal Microtech interior matches the SUV well. The material inside the door well is a felt-like product. I liked it a lot
Air purifier – prevents up to 80% of hazardous PM 2.5 particles entering the cabin – enjoy better and healthier air quality, no matter the conditions outside. You can even monitor particle and pollen levels outside the car
The centre armrest is combination of a fold up arm rest with storage beneath it (a full-size tissue box can fit in it according to Volvo) but it also has this odd flipping lid to give you access a small removable waste bin
In front of the gear shifter there’s also a weird little storage compartment to “keep your small everyday items such as lip balm and coins”
Thanks to the open-and-tilt panorama moon roof there’s plenty of light in the cabin. Opening the cover allows plenty of light inside. Swipe the button backwards and the sunshade opens and then the roof. To close it you swipe it forward. It’s a bit odd, but once you know what to do it works a treat. Nice and simple –this is what makes Volvo’s so appealing… simplicity and attention to details
Rear passengers have plenty of knee, foot and elbow room
The cargo floor is quite high and much smaller than anticipated
Under the floor is a reasonable sized storage area for the plug-in cable
Cargo Volume: 16 cu-ft (452 Litres)

Infotainment System etc.

The 9-inch centre display gives you instant access to navigation, media, phone and app controls. You can easily rearrange most of the touch screen buttons to suit your own preferences – I found it very easy to use – something I wasn’t expecting because all cars are now getting too smart for their own good they are way overly complicated
Connecting my phone was easy and within seconds I was listening to music via Bluetooth
There’s 2 USB-C inputs under the HVAC and also 2 in the rear
Harman Kardon Premium Sound – 600-watt digital amplifier and 13 hi-fi speakers, including an air-ventilated subwoofer. All tailored to the Volvo’s interior acoustics
The Infotainment interface is Google-based and incorporating a Digital Services Package is included for four years (all data included) that includes: fully integrated Google Maps and hands-free voice control with Google Assistant offers real-time traffic info and automatic rerouting *
You also get Google Play and wireless phone charging
The Volvo Cars app

* Google services are enabled through the Digital Services Package. After this period ends, new terms and fees will apply if you choose to renew

XC40 EV Features:

Twin-Electric Motors All-Wheel Drive
Battery Capacity: 78 kWh / Output: 300 kWh
Fast charge 10-80% – 28 minutes
Setting the schedule was super easy – the easiest I’ve ever encountered to date. Just press the EV section, select schedule. Swipe the dial to the start time and the end time. Confirm. Done.

2024 Upgrades:
– New 19-inch alloy wheels
– Two new powertrains on XC40 Recharge & addition of rear-wheel drive variants
– Second-generation permanent magnet electric motor driving the rear axles for the fully electric XC40 models
– New Single Motor XC40 Recharge feature a 185 kW (248 hp) permanent magnet e-motor on the rear axle and an 82kWh battery pack
– Allows up to 471 kms of range
– The uprated 82 kWh battery pack (from 78) allows for charging at a top rate of 200 kW DC – Fast charge time is unchanged
– AWD: previous set-up of two 150 kW electric motors (front & back), now 255 hp electric motor on the rear and a new 147 hp asynchronous electric motor on the front axle
– Twin Motor variants retain the 78kWh battery pack with a top charging rate of 150 kW DC. Range increases to 408 kms (+49km)
– The Twin Motor conserves energy by engaging the front-axle drive only when it’s needed, improving range

EV and Safety Features are described in detail after What’s The Verdict? At the end of this review

So How Quick Is It & How Does It Handle?

Initial throttle input is instantaneous… see that spot over there? I want to get there. Gas, steer…. Brake! oh that was much quicker than I anticipated!!
The steering is nicely weighted and very sporty with a nice chunky feel to it
The brakes are perfect for modulating and stopping is superb
Unlike most (ALL) EV’s, the XC40 has NO adjustable modes. That’s right, no Sport Mode (gasp!) – what in the world are Volvo thinking?
Towing Capacity: 900 kg (only with Twin Motor)

Battery: 78 kWh Lithium-ion (300 kW)
Horsepower: 402 @ 4,350 – 13,900 rpm
Torque: 486 lb-ft. @ 0 – 4,350 rpm
Top Speed (limited): 180 km/h
0 – 100 km/h (secs): 4.8

What Does It Cost?
For up-to-date pricing and options in your region visit: Volvo Canada
NOTE – Volvo uses All-In Pricing: The price/payment listed is inclusive of the base price of the vehicle plus applicable fees including transport costs and fees, air conditioning charge, and administration fees. Sales Taxes are extra

To Buy…
Base Price: $59, 950 (Core)
As Tested: $74,350
Options:
Ultimate Package
Colour: Sage Green $900
Pixel LED Headlights: $450

To Operate…

Rated at (L/100 km): City – 2.6 / Highway – 3.0 / Combined – 2.8
21 Kwh/100 km (the lower this number, the more “fuel efficient” the vehicle is)
The Volvo XC40 Recharge qualities for the full $5,000 Canadian rebate
EV Incentives in Quebec are (up to $8,000) and B.C gets $3,000, on top of the $5,000 Federal Grants
For vehicles that do qualify click HERE

The Competition
Audi Q4, BMW i4, BMW iX, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Genesis GV60, Hyundai IONIQ5, Kia EV6, Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4MATIC, Nissan Ariya, Volvo C40 Recharge, Volvo EX30, Tesla Model Y

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good: It’s a Volvo – safe as a bank vault
More Good: Man, this thing is quick!!
The Bad: No Sport mode (I’m REALLY trying hard to find something bad to say, because it doesn’t matter with this pocket rocket)
The Ugly: No HUD

What’s The Verdict?
The XC40 Recharge is a fantastic little SUV that goes like stink and is easy to toss around and have a lot of fun. It’s anything but boring to drive, it’s extremely comfortable and Volvo safe. Nobody does luxury interiors better than Volvo and nobody does simplicity better either – the charging set up was incredibly easy – the easiest of any EV so far. I can’t find any fault with this wonderful electric SUV

XC40 Recharge Safety Features
Cross traffic alert with autobrake supports the driver when reversing with limited view
360° camera – With four cameras providing a 360° view and flank sensors
Stay in lane – a subtle vibration through the steering wheel and help steer you back to the centre if you unintentionally start to drift out of your lane
Avoid collisions – Day or night, Volvo’s intelligent safety assistance technology can help you detect and avoid other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and large animals. It does this by first warning the driver then auto-braking if the driver fails to react
Pilot Assist – It helps you maintain a safe distance from the car in front by adapting your speed while helping to keep you centred in the lane by making small steering adjustments. In stop-and-go traffic, your car can follow the car ahead and brake automatically to a standstill when needed. If the car in front only stops briefly, your car can start following it as it takes off again. And should you be distracted and unaware that the traffic ahead of you is moving, the car can alert you so you can resume driving
Road Sign Information (RSI) – displays the speed limit on the digital dash