Recharge the 2021 Volvo XC40 in Glacier Silver Metallic ($645)
2021 Volvo XC40 Rechargeable P8
Class: Tram
Driving miles: 400
Battery capacity: 78 kWh
| Corporate governance report card | |
|---|---|
| Rooms and Facilities | B + |
| Power and performance | ONE |
| Fit and perfect | ONE |
| Energy saving | ONE |
| Value | B- |
| The score of the report card is obtained from the consensus of the test driver assessments. All classes are compared with other vehicles in the same class. The value tier is for the specific level being evaluated and may not reflect the Consumer Guide’s impression of the entire product line. | |
| Comfortable big & tall | |
| Big boy | REMOVE |
| Tall guy | B + |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for the front seats only. The “Large” rating is based on a male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, the “High” rating is based on a 6’6″ tall male tester. | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine Specifications | 402 hp |
| Engine type | Electric motorbikes |
| Transmission process | Automatic |
| Drive | Four-wheel drive |
EPA-estimated MPGe: 85 cities / 72 hwy / 79 combinations
EPA Estimated Driving Range: 208 miles
Estimated scope of the Consumer Guide (ideal conditions): 208+ miles
Base price: $53,990 (excluding $995 destination fee)
Options on test car: Climate pack ($750), Advanced Package ($1300), metallic paint ($645), Harman Kardon premium sound system ($800), heat pump ($350), 20-inch wheels ( $800)
Wish I had checked: $59,630
Quick hits
Wonderful thing: Better-than-expected cargo and passenger room with neater exterior dimensions; fast acceleration; convincingly upscale interior and feel
Good: Comfortable yet agile driving personality; youthful but delicate design
Not so good: Expensive; complex infotainment system; not so much range as some EV . rivals
More information on XC40’s price and availability
John Biel
If you are a car with a good enough engine to be a Consumer Guide”Best buy“Your producers may not have to work too hard to get to the top, at least in the short term. How could they make such a car better if they wanted to? Well, in the case of the Volvo XC40, they can upgrade the standard equipment — or, if they’re feeling really ambitious, add an EV.
Volvo’s smallest SUV is now offered as a pure electric model, with a capacity of 402 hp.
Both of those things happen with the 2021 Volvo XC40 premium compact crossover SUV, but it’s the all-new Charger version that interests us here. Unlike its gas-powered companions, it only comes with all-wheel drive — thanks front and rear engines for that — and in a single trim level. The starting price, upon delivery, is $54,985, which is a significant $12,540 more than an AWD petrol XC40 in its top-end Inscription form. With options, our Glacier Silver Metallic tester peaked at $59,630.
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Luxurious cabin design and high-class decoration are the strong points of XC40 on Recharge version. The stout gear lever has a unique “dual push/dual pull” action to which we have adapted very quickly.
The basic package from which Recharge is familiar but still somewhat new, made its debut in the 2019 model year, so it’s the power supply that really sets this XC40 apart from the others CG has made. experiment.
Powered by a 78 kWh lithium-ion battery, the combined engines produce 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque managed by a single-speed gearshift transmission. With this much power at the ready, there’s great instant acceleration from the start. Airspeed on the highway is also easily maintained.
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The seats of our test car were very comfortable and nicely upholstered. Rear-seat room is better than you might expect.
The 2021 XC40 Recharge’s estimated EPA driving range is 208 miles, and that seems to be shaped in this driver’s experience with the car. After 118.9 miles, 70% of which was done while driving in the city, the truck reported that there was still 37% charge remaining – enough to break the roof for 200 miles. (Note that for 2022, the EPA’s estimated driving range has increased to 223 miles.)
When it was time to plug in the CG’s 240-volt charging station, the initial dashboard display indicated it would take nine hours and 45 minutes to fully recharge the vehicle, achieving a range of 13 miles per hour of charge. When we checked back later, after the ambient temperature rose to a more favorable level in the mid-50s, we were told that we were getting 14 miles per hour of charge and total charging time. 45 minutes has passed.
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The cargo volume of the XC40 Recharge is quite good, considering its compact exterior dimensions. There’s 16.0 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, which increases to 46.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
As Volvo’s smallest SUV – it’s about 10 inches shorter than the compact XC60 – the XC40’s styling is a bit bolder than you’ll find in the rest of the Volvo lineup. Inside is a cabin that doesn’t look bad. Seats are upholstered in Nappa leather with suede-like Nubuck inserts and heated up front, with heated rear seats and a steering wheel available as an optional Climate Package. All doors have soft, padded surfaces on their tops; door centers have repackaged Nubuck material into the bins. Nice chrome accents and patterned metal trim on the dashboard brighten the interior.
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There’s also a bit of “small” space under the hood – not much, but enough to accommodate the car’s charging cable.
Other standard equipment is a combination of comfort, technology and safety features. The panoramic sunroof sits on top and a hands-free tailgate covers the rear. Keyless door handle lighting. The electric front seats include memory settings for the driver. The climate system is two zones. The driver is informed via a 12.3-inch digital display with three projection modes. The nine-inch touchscreen is the entry point to the Sensus infotainment system. Apple CarPlay / Android Auto smartphone functionality is included. The test car’s audio system is a Harman Kardon premium unit for an extra fee, but the only radio option remains FM. Standard safety extras include forward collision warning and mitigation with pedestrian/bicycle/large animal detection, lane departure warning and mitigation, and lane keep assist. with oncoming traffic avoidance, rear obstacle detection, blind spot and rear cross traffic alert, forward and rear obstacle detection, and Volvo On Call remote services. Low-level autonomous operation is possible with Pilot Assist (including adaptive cruise control) as part of the Advanced Package option on CG’s test machine.
In addition to the “blank” grille that opens up to the front, the XC40 Recharge can be identified by the charging port on the driver’s rear panel and the subtle embossed text on the rear roof pillars.
Driving controls are well displayed. Virtual gauges with speedometer on the left and the energy usage dial (it shows how much electricity or regenerative charging is taking place) on the right, with plenty of room for clear vehicle information readings clear between them. This driver doesn’t like vertical touchscreens, with its smartphone-style swiping to access desired information and functionality, some of which is pretty well buried. Some climate controls are on the dashboard, but most are accessed via the display. A unique gearshift lever that requires forward presses to go to the Forward and reverse taps to access Drive, with a separate Park button.
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Our tester was fitted with optional 20-inch wheels; 19 years old is the norm.
Head and legroom is good in the front row, and some adults in the back will find plenty of room with leg room to move — if the front passenger doesn’t need to stretch out too much. Note that the rear seat backs do not recline beyond the vertical limit. The driver’s visibility to the sides and over the shoulders is limited by the wide doorposts and thick rear roof pillars. The control is easy, if it feels a bit lacking, but the XC40 Recharge will be very good. Ride on optional 20-inch alloy wheels that are very sturdy.
Personal storage is handled by a large glovebox, a less spacious control box, pockets on all four doors and mesh pockets on the backs of the front seats. A compartment at the front of the console houses electronic device inputs and an optional wireless charger. The cup holder is located in the control panel and the rear armrest can be pulled down.
Good cargo space with the rear seats split 60/40. The back seat has built-in aisles for skateboards and other long items. With the rear seats lowered, load space is 57.5 cubic feet. There’s a fairly deep crate under the cargo floor that’s good for discreet storage, and small open compartments form on either side of the cargo floor. A small detail is a Deposit exclusive bonus.
Volvo has positioned the XC40 as a premium urban car aimed at a younger audience — although considering the price, we doubt they’ll be typical first car buyers. That’s especially true of Recharge, which broadens the horizons of an already appealing small SUV.
