2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Review

　　

2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge is an all-electric version of the gasoline-powered XC40, which is Volvo's smallest SUV. It's Volvo's first EV and, on first impression, there really aren't any differences between the Recharge and the gas-powered model. It looks pretty much just like a regular XC40 on the outside, and there's plenty of room for passengers on the inside. If you want to go electric and not shout to the world that you're doing it, the XC40 is a good way to go.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge EV Insights

Trim:XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8

　　Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $53,990 MSRP

　　

Estimated Range Based on Age

 zzdcar TESTED

　　227 milesThe range for a used 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge is estimated to be 227 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 227 miles.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　Estimated battery warranty remaining is 5 years or 58,000 miles for this car.Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.

　　

Charging at Home

　　8 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$4,400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Federal Credit

　　$4,000

　　Restrictions: Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer.

　　For the vehicle to qualify: Price cannot exceed $25,000. Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased. Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted. Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.

　　For individuals to qualify: Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status. Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle. Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle. Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$91/mo

　　XC40 Recharge

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　SUV Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　According to the EPA, the XC40 Recharge offers 208 miles of range when fully charged. This is less than the range of most other EVs, including the rival Tesla Model Model Y, which can go an estimated 326 miles in its Long Range version, or the Ford Mustang Mach-E with up to 305 miles. But the XC40 Recharge is impressively quick — 0-60 mph comes up in just 4.5 seconds — and we've found that it can go farther than its EPA estimate in real-world driving.

　　With few drawbacks and several advantages compared to the traditional XC40, the Recharge is an impressive electric debut for Volvo. Check out our test team's Expert Rating to learn more about its comfort, efficiency and more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the XC40 Recharge drive? The best thing about the XC40 Recharge is how it drives. Beneath its unassuming wrapper is easy and instant thrust. Accelerating to 60 mph happens in just 4.5 seconds, quicker than Ford's Mach-E and Tesla's Model Y Long Range. And despite the Volvo having some pretty basic all-season tires, there's a decent amount of traction and control out of the corners that makes this little SUV pretty fun to whip around.

　　All this speed doesn't come at the sacrifice of everyday drivability either. The XC40 Recharge is effortless to drive at any speed and features a one-pedal driving mode that dials up the motor's regenerative braking effect, allowing you to slow to a stop without having to use the brake pedal.

　　And speaking of modes, there is an off-road mode that helps with steeper hill descents should you encounter such a situation. But considering the marginal ground clearance the Recharge has, we wouldn't venture very far off the pavement.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the XC40 Recharge? For a small, sporty SUV, the XC40 Recharge is fairly comfortable. The biggest differences between this all-electric version and its gas-powered counterpart?  The Recharge is much quieter and its climate control turns on faster. We found the regular XC40's engine to be a big contributor to noise, and its slow-booting onboard systems meant delays in turning on the climate system via the touchscreen controls. The Recharge starts up and is ready to drive the moment you open the door, and its electric motors produce very little noise.

　　The Recharge's ride is more firm than comfortable, likely because of its extra weight and its bias toward sporty handling. The front seats are a mix of suede and leather, and they are fairly comfortable and have a decent amount of adjustments. As in the other XC40s, the headrests have an odd forward angle to them, which may be uncomfortable for people with longer torsos.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? Volvo's typical user interface remains, and most controls are accessed through the touchscreen. But the Recharge inherits Google's new in-car operating system, which includes convenient apps such as Google Maps and Spotify built right into the car. The menus aren't quite as intuitive to navigate as in the related Polestar 2, but the functionality is just as good.

　　For such a compact SUV, the XC40 has a relatively roomy cabin that's a breeze to get into and out of. Tall drivers might not be able to find a comfortable seating position due to limited steering wheel adjustability and the protruding headrest design. Legroom in the back should suffice for anyone 6 feet or shorter. There's good visibility all around thanks to large windows, and an optional 360-degree camera makes maneuvering in tight spaces even easier.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? With the Google operating system onboard, there are some great and some not-so great features. We love being able to access apps like Google Maps inside the car, and having the Google Assistant as a voice recognition system makes it one of the easier ways to control things.

　　We don't like that a sudden loss of the data connection will render all the Google features useless until the connection is restored. Also, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is still unavailable (Volvo says that software update is coming), and the Bluetooth connection is pretty limited. Four USB-C ports plus two 12-volt outlets and a wireless charger ensure there are ample options for keeping devices charged up. A full suite of advanced driver aids is optional, and a bit pricey, but we think it's worth getting since all the features work quite well.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The XC40's Recharge has a smaller cargo area than its nearest competition, with a 20.4-cubic-foot trunk and 1-cubic-foot frunk, but it is nevertheless a pretty useful space. We like the 60/40-split folding rear seats, a pass-through and a foldable tray that doubles as a grocery holder. The cabin offers a variety of other storage spaces, including a clever little removable trash bin. Felt-lined doors keep items from rattling around.

　　Using your XC40 for kid duty? The child seat anchors are clearly located under flip-up doors, but they're buried a little deep for comfortable access. You might have the best chance of fitting a bulky rear-facing seat in this car compared to most other SUVs this size, but it'll still be a tight fit.

　　The Recharge can tow up to 2,000 pounds. That's the same as the Polestar 2, less than the Model Y (3,500 pounds) and more than the Mach-E, which is not rated for towing.

　　

Range and Efficiency

7.0/10

　　How are the range and efficiency? The EPA estimates the XC40 Recharge has a maximum range of 208 miles and uses 43 kWh of electricity for every 100 miles of driving, making it one of the least efficient luxury EVs despite its small size. For comparison, the Tesla Model Y only uses 27 kWh/100 miles and even the three-row Model X is rated at 35 kWh/100 miles.

　　Thankfully in zzdcar' real-world testing the Volvo proved more efficient, using 35.4 kWh/100 miles and traveling 240 miles on a single charge. We should note that this was achieved on 100% battery charge — Volvo, like many other EV manufacturers, recommends a 90% charge for daily use.

　　As far as charging goes, the Recharge is relatively speedy. It should take about eight hours to charge from empty to full if you have a 240-volt power source that outputs 11 kW. On a 150-kW DC fast charger, the XC40 Recharge can charge from zero to 80% battery in about 40 minutes.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the XC40 Recharge a good value? While the XC40 Recharge has some attractive qualities, we don't think it's one of the better values even if you consider the available $7,500 federal tax credit. It isn't any less expensive than its larger and more spacious competition — the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y — and offers a lot less range than either. Also, while the XC40 Recharge feels like a solidly built car, the cabin materials aren't particularly luxurious.

　　Volvo's basic and powertrain warranties last for four years/50,000 miles, which aligns with most competitors. The battery warranty is covered for eight years/100,000 miles, and Volvo covers scheduled services at every 10K miles for up to three years/36,000 miles of ownership. Roadside assistance is included for four years with no mileage limit.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　If we had to sum up the XC40 Recharge in a single thought, we'd say it's unassuming yet fun and effortless to drive. Speed is instantly accessible, and the lower center of gravity makes for a stable little SUV that's entertaining to toss around.

　　If you're looking for an EV that stands out in a crowd, the Recharge isn't it. But if you like a sleeper, something that packs a wallop of speed but flies well under the radar, then it could be right up your alley.

　　

Which XC40 Recharge does zzdcar recommend?

In its debut year, Volvo is making the XC40 Recharge available only in the P8 eAWD trim — so that's the one you'll be getting. You can, however, choose from several enticing options. We would order the Harman Kardon premium sound system to elevate the audio experience, as well as the Advanced package to add more driver assistance aids to round out the safety features on board.

　　

2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge models

The XC40 Recharge is a fully electric extra-small SUV with seating for up to five passengers. It comes in only one trim level: the P8 eAWD. It derives power from a 78-kWh battery located under the floor of the vehicle. Power goes to one electric motor on the front wheels and a second motor attached to the rear wheels, effectively giving the XC40 Recharge full-time all-wheel drive. The system creates a total output of 402 horsepower and 486 lb-ft of torque. Feature highlights include:

　　Pure

　　Standard features on the XC40 Recharge include:

　　LED headlights 19-inch wheels Keyless entry and push-button start Hands-free liftgate Power-adjustable and heated front seats 12.3-inch center touchscreen Four USB-C ports Wireless charging pad Leather upholstery Dual-zone automatic climate control Eight-speaker sound systemStandard safety features and driver aids include:

　　Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Lane keeping assist (steers the XC40 Recharge back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)Since there is only one trim level, these options are important to note:

　　Advanced package Automatic headlight cleaning Wireless smartphone charging Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Volvo Pilot Assist (provides steering assistance and combines with adaptive cruise control for additional layer of security) 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the XC40 Recharge and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Climate package Heated steering wheel Heated rear seats Heated windshield wiper blades Harman Kardon premium sound system Heat pump (heats the cabin more efficiently than normal heater)

　　

2021 XC40 Recharge Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$53,990
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,400
Engine Type	Electric
zzdcar Tested Electric Range	240 miles vs EPA Range 208 miles
Cost to Drive	$91/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	8.0 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	25.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	8 years / 100,000 miles