2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge: Boring Gay Car Review
Extremely fun to drive, but it comes at a cost. Let's see if it's worth it...
If you haven’t already, head to my Instagram and check out my Story highlight for the Volvo XC40 to watch my live review.
In the last couple of years, Volvo quietly added two of its first fully-electric vehicles. They are the XC40 Recharge (an electrified version of the gas-powered XC40) and its coupe-like crossover cousin, the C40 Recharge. The cars are pretty similar in specs, but that coupe-like style on the C40 will run you a few thousand more than the XC40.
Most people may not have even realized that Volvo expanded from plug-in hybrids (which it’s been doing for a while) to fully electric vehicles. That’s probably because Volvo’s are lower volume cars in general (which is something I like about them), and also because to the average observer, the XC40 Recharge looks exactly like its gas-powered relative. I finally got my hands on the car last weekend, so let’s get into it!
Who Would Drive It?
Who might drive the XC40 Recharge? Volvo drivers tend to be alternative. Folks who value luxury but hate flashiness. In reality, Volvo pricing is on par with comparable BMW’s, Audi’s, and Mercedes - but for some reason, people view it as the “other.” Perhaps that has to do with Volvo’s design aesthetic, particularly the interiors which are luxurious but also minimal. I compare that to something like the Mercedes GLA I recently tested which literally felt like a nightclub inside. I think both are cool - but I’d probably go with Volvo’s minimal aesthetic myself. I also think that people who want an EV but don’t want a flashy EV will go the Volvo route - this thing won’t turn heads, and it’s not really meant to.
Stats
Let’s get into the numbers. This car came out for the 2021 model year and comes in one mechanical form (but it has two feature upgrade packages which I’ll discuss later). Interestingly, global markets do get a toned-down version of the XC40 Recharge with less horsepower and torque, but the U.S. currently doesn’t. The car we can buy here has performance numbers that are typically only available on higher-end EVs, and that partially explains the higher starting price. If the U.S. ever got the slower version, it would definitely be in the low $40’s. The basic stats for the car we do get break down as follows:
Core: $53.5K | 402 HP 486 LB FT | 0-60 in 4.7 seconds | 223 mile range
At the time of my review, Volvo was advertising a $715/month lease on the car (with no security deposit). I’m not sure if that means no money out of pocket at all, but that’s a reasonable payment on a car above $50K if they want nothing down. For those who want to buy the car, the newly passed Inflation Reduction Act has messed up the $7,500 federal tax credit these models used to get. If you’re fishing for a tax credit, you might want to do some online research to see which cars currently qualify (hint: it’ll be those manufactured in the U.S.) These rules might change in the future as car companies lobby Congress, but for now the XC40 Recharge does not qualify.
For my review, I tested the top-of-the-line model with every option available, known as the Ultimate package (which costs $6,000 extra). I’ll break down those features in a bit. The most obvious visual upgrade from the outside was the 20” rims which I think went beautifully with the black on this car. While it didn’t necessarily turn any heads during my test drive, I do think most people recognize the XC40 as a beautiful and high-end car.
Competition
When it comes to competition for the XC40 Recharge, a lot of buyers will naturally cross-shop it with its C40 cousin (which basically comes down to visual preference because the cars are nearly the same outside of exterior design). The C40 certainly looks more unique and fresh on the road (and might actually turn heads compared to the XC40). Buyers will also naturally look to the Polestar 2 (an EV spinoff of Volvo) which is quite similar to this car (and a bit cheaper). But outside of Volvoland, buyers will continue to cross-shop the entirety of the relatively small EV segment (popular options are listed below). I include media screen sizes for the base model of each competitor because in the EV game, screen size matters:
Polestar 2: $48.4K, 270 range, 241 HP/243 lb-ft, 0-60 in 7 sec - 11.2” screen
Mustang Mach-E: $44K, 247 range, 266 HP/428 lb-ft, 0-60 5.2 sec - 15.5” screen
Tesla Model 3: $47k, 267 range, 283 HP/302 lb-ft, 0-60 in 5.8 sec - 15” screen
Tesla Model Y: $66K, 318 range, 456 HP/497 lb-ft, 0-60 in 4.8 sec - 15” screen
VW ID.4: $37.5k, 280 range, 201 HP/229 lb-ft 0-60 in 8 sec - 10” screen
Bolt EUV: $28.2K, 247 range, 200 HP/266 lb-ft, 0-60 in 6.7 sec - 10.2” screen
Hyundai Kona EV: $34K, 258 range, 201 HP/291 lb-ft, 0-60 in 6.6 sec - 8” screen
Hyundai Ioniq5: $40K, 220 range, 225 HP/258 lb-ft, 0-60 in 6.7 sec - 12.3” screen
Kia EV6: $41K, 232 range, 167 HP/258 lb-ft, 0-60 in 8 sec - 12.3” screen
I’m glad I’ve kept this chart running in my last few EV reviews because the prices and ranges on EVs actually shift quickly (since things like range and features can be improved with over-the-air updates). Since my last review, the cost of the Tesla Model Y went up by a few thousand, and surprisingly, the cost of the Bolt EUV and VW ID.4 both went down by a few thousand. The Bolt EUV was already a great value so Chevy must really be trying to up their sales volume. And I always felt the VW was overpriced for its range so the price drop makes sense to keep it competitive. I also added the Hyundai Kona EV, which like the Volvo XC40, is simply an electric version of an existing gas car. I think it’s a great value when you look at the numbers.
When it comes to the XC40’s numbers, it’s pretty much beat in value by all of its competitors. And I understand why that’s the case. It’s a potent car and that contributes to the price, but unfortunately, the range is a bit low compared to what competitors are offering (for more than $10K less in some cases). In my opinion, Volvo should consider a price drop on the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge to keep them competitive. Perhaps these cars are experiments for them and they might not care about sales volume as much, but surely they can see that even Polestar (a company spun off from Volvo) is beating them in price by about $5K and offering 40 more miles of range.
If I had $40-50K to spend on an EV right now, my top choice would be a Polestar 2 or maybe a Kia EV6. But if I’m keeping it completely real with you guys, I’d save some money and get a Bolt EUV or Hyundai Kona EV in the low $30s because their EV ranges are pretty good by today’s standards (right around 250 miles) and ranges are only going to improve over time. The first EV you buy is going to be trumped by technological advances in 5-10 years, so might as well save the money and go for value. But I understand some people want luxury now - in which case, you have plenty of cool options on that competitor list. The XC40 is certainly cool and fun, but it comes with one of the steeper price tags in the game.
Standard Features
The “Core” XC40 Recharge comes with a healthy list of standard features. Those include: Google built-in (Google Maps, Google Assistant using voice controls - i.e. “Hey Google”, and Google Apps), the Volvo Cars App (allows you to lock/unlock, pre-cool/pre-heat, and see charging info), OTA updates, advanced air purifier system, 8-speaker audio system, 9” vertical media display, 12” digital instrument panel, Microtech and leatherette upholstery, full-speed automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure prevention, blind spot monitoring, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated front seats, road sign information in digital instrument panel, after-run parking climate (pipes in outside air for 15 min. after parking to keep the cabin comfortable), power tailgate, Apple CarPlay, and LED headlights (not taillights which is a disappointment at this price point). Overall, I think the base car comes with a solid amount of valuable features that most buyers would expect.
One note on the Volvo Cars app is that it’s free for the first four years, but according to my research, it’s unclear how much it will cost after that.
As with the Polestar 2, the graphics on this car (particularly in the digital instrument cluster) were superb. It’s so nice having Google Maps built into the dash. I do wish there was more customizability of the instrument cluster (like Mercedes allows you to do). I’d love a half map half media view and didn’t see a way to do that. Also, I remain a fan of the vertical media screen in the XC40. This one was 9” compared to the 11.2” version in the Polestar 2. It felt a little small but that’s just me being spoiled by huge screens at this point - it’s fully doable. Overall, the interior of the car felt very high-end and luxurious, there was a ton of attention to detail - and the orange accent carpets on my test car were super unique (they also make them in blue, and they come from recycled sea nets). It’s a pretty cool touch (although the orange was showing dirt pretty easily so keep that in mind on these cool colors).
Trims and Options
The XC40 Recharge comes with two upgrade packages.
Plus (+$2,700): adds a 360-degree camera, fog lights, park assist front side and rear, power passenger seat, power-folding rear headrests, power outlet in the cargo area, HomeLink garage openers, and panoramic moonroof with power sunshade (which was beautiful, and the sunshade was very appreciated during my desert review).
Ultimate (+$6,000): adds 20” black wheels, adaptive cruise control, headlamp cleaners, Pilot Assist (speed control, lane centering), heated rear seats, Harman Kardon premium sound (13-speaker system with air-cooled subwoofer to reduce energy consumption), heat pump for climate control (extends range by powering climate controls more efficiently), and a heated steering wheel.
For my money, I’d probably stick to the Plus package and skip the Ultimate, only because some of the features in the Ultimate package weren’t as good as I expected them to be (the Pilot Assist self-driving features and the Harman Kardon sound system). But for the 360 camera, park assist, and panoramic moonroof alone, I’d say the Plus package is a pretty good value.
Driving Impressions and Safety Suite
Let’s get to driving impressions. This is probably where the XC40 was most impressive due to the sheer horsepower and torque they’ve put into this small SUV. There’s nothing like planting your foot on the accelerator and blasting off like a sports car in a crossover that most would attribute to a stylish soccer dad. In that way, the XC40 Recharge is truly a “sleeper” car - you don’t expect it to do what it does. I think back to a 2011 BMW M3 I used to have, the speed and power of which this car basically matches…which is insane. This would be an awesome car to run errands in and would definitely bring a little fun into mundane routines.
One follower asked me whether the ride was bouncy - which isn’t something I would have noticed until the question was asked. It made me compare the XC40 to the lower-to-the-ground Polestar 2, in which case the ride in the XC40 does feel ever-so-slightly bouncy in comparison. I think the Polestar 2 has a slight edge in driving dynamics simply because it’s more of a sedan than an SUV. But both are fun cars, and the XC40 made me feel like I had more head and legroom, so that might be what it comes down to if you are deciding between the two.
As alluded to before, I was less than impressed with Volvo’s Pilot Assist self-driving system. I hate to keep doing it, but I go back to some of the entry-level cars I’ve recently tested like the Honda Civic and Hyundai Sonata - and I think both of those systems were more impressive than this much more expensive Pilot Assist package. The lane-keep assist was inconsistent on anything more dramatic than gentle highway curves. The adaptive cruise control had a couple of misses at times that made me nervous. I do love Volvo’s blind spot monitor system and cool graphics on the side mirrors, but you get that on the base car anyway. You also get the emergency braking and lane departure prevention on the base car, so those will probably do the trick for most people. I do love adaptive cruise control and use it a lot in my own car, but it’s a shame that you have to opt-in to a $6,000 package when even a base Honda Civic has it standard.
Infotainment and Sound System
As I mentioned before, the graphics and two digital display screens on this car are excellent. My particular test car did not have the Apple CarPlay update installed (these cars didn’t have Apple functionality at first), but I’d imagine it would work pretty smoothly and solve my issue of being an Apple Music customer (judge me) using a Google system. Because of that, I couldn't nicely see album art or the song playing along with my map and other views I’m accustomed to on CarPlay. I’m also curious if CarPlay changes the fact that the digital instrument cluster is based on the Google Maps system. I can’t immediately find information on that online, but I guess if you use Google Maps and not Apple Maps, it would still cooperate with Apple CarPlay.
My car had the Harman Kardon upgraded sound system which was pretty good, but still has room for improvement. I’ve had Harman Kardon systems with Logic surround in BMWs I’ve owned in the past and they were more impressive than the system in this XC40. I’m not exactly sure why - perhaps the technology or set-up was different. And this echoes the similar complaint I had with the Mustang Mach-E and its Bang & Olufsen sound system. It was good, but not as good as the B&O systems I’ve had in Audi’s before. So maybe these companies are just going cheaper, or maybe they don’t make them like they used to. But again, the system was pretty good. My only complaint was the sound god a little muffled in the higher volume range. During my live review, I compared this sound system to what I experienced in the Mazda3 and Mazda CX-30 reviews I did - the base Mazda sound system beats the Harman Kardon upgrade in this car…and that’s not really a diss to this car, but just props to Mazda for doing such a good job and including it in lower-priced vehicles.
Maintenance, Warranty and EV Charging
Maintenance on the XC40 Recharge - similar to all EVs - is expected to be minimal. And that’s one cost saver on EVs (in addition to gas) that some people aren’t aware of. EVs have no oil changes and no engine parts to repair. Basically, just filters, tires, brakes, and certain fluids. The brakes are supposed to last a long time due to regenerative braking on EVs. And regenerative braking also helps with range anxiety, adding a little range to your drives.
According to Volvo, the XC40 Recharge will charge from 10-80% in 37 minutes using a DC Fast Charger. Of course, you should look up how many of those are available in your area before relying on public fast charging as your only means of energy. At home on a level 2 charger, you should be able to charge the car in under 8 hours (0-100% would take 8 hours, but you’re generally not supposed to charge EVs to 100% or it kills your battery faster). All new Volvo’s come with 250KW of free DC Fast Charging and a 1-year complimentary subscription to discounted rates at Electrify America chargers.
The XC40 Recharge comes with a 4-year/50K basic warranty and an 8-year/100K battery warranty. Volvo also provides complimentary factory scheduled maintenance and wear coverage for 4-years/40K miles, which is a really nice bonus that I haven’t been seeing from other brands at this price point.
Three Reasons To Buy or Skip
Wrapping up with three reasons for/against the Volvo XC40 Recharge. Three reasons to buy: (1) an insane amount of horsepower and torque for a small crossover - close to as much as an XC90 plug-in, which is a much heavier car; (2) beautiful media and graphics displays (3) a nice option for people who don’t want to be judged for driving a flashy or obnoxious EV.
Three reasons to skip: (1) the price feels too high for the electric range the car currently gets (but perhaps Volvo’s aggressive lease offers and included maintenance can win some folks over); (2) the Harman Kardon sound system was good but could have been even better for the price; (3) the self-driving system wasn’t very impressive compared to technology on cheaper cars these days.