Volvo XC40 Recharge 2023 long-term test

Why we ran it: To see if the Volvo XC40 Recharge, Volvo'ssmallest battery-powered SUV, can be a motorway commuter and weekend compaNIOn

Our five-month test has uncovered pros and cons about life with this likeable EV - 21 June2022

We wondered how well Volvo’s stylish-looking XC40 Recharge would cope with varied real-world daily use when it arrived six months and 7300 miles ago. Now we know the answer: very well. But the detail of life with an XC40 is more nuanced than that and some aspects in its end-of-term report carry the verdict ‘could do better’.

We’ve certainly put it through its paces. Over the past half year, Volvo’s smallest SUV (until therecently revealed EX30 arrives next year) has undergone a whole series of tests to see if it can be a solid motorway commuter as well as an easy-to-use weekend buddy – from chucking bikes in the surprisingly large seats-down 1289-litre boot to towing tiles.

So what, in the face of extensive competition, sets the £46,505 (ours is £53,525) single-motor XC40 Recharge apart? Because this electric SUV sits in a burgeoning segment, with rivals galore ranging from Ford’s Mustang Mach-E to the Skoda Enyaq iV 60.

Offering something different from these – and tempting buyers away from possibly better-value, ICE offerings such as the Audi Q3 and DS 7 – is no easy task, especially when the total range figure is most likely to be the key selling point, rather than how the car drives. Our XC40’s 69kWh battery (67kWh is usable) offered a rather middling top end of 240 miles – and as low as 170 in very cold January weather. In its slipperier C40 sibling this rises, but the bluffer SUV suffers.

However, the XC40 available to order now has been tuned to deliver greater efficiency than our earlier model, and it now sends its power to the rear wheels for improved battery performance. As a result, says Volvo, it is capable of achieving 3.7 miles per kWh, up from 3.4mpkWh, giving a claimed range of 290 miles from the same battery pack. There’s also a power boost, with a 234bhp powertrain replacing our model’s 228bhp motor.

In practice, the new car feels no different to drive than the old one, except that you can now drive it for longer between charges. Which is probably the best compliment you can give. So good news.

Understandably, the XC40 is not the cheapest (that’s the way with most EVs), but its ease of use, comfort and bags of tech make it a great companion.

For starters, your bum is the start button (yes, really): just sit down on the very pleasantly supportive and comfortable driver’s seat and, after selecting Drive, away you go. On the move, one-click adaptive cruise control makes life for those who drive with kids in the back (families are definitely thetarget audience here) a tad easier, especially with Pilot mode, which assists with steering (one hand must remain on the steering wheel). This also makes commuting and long drives far less strenuous.

It doesn’t feel like a big car on the road (it’s 4425mm long), owing to its light and direct steering. Parking is also a doddle thanks to that steering set-up, an array of sensors and a clear rear parking camera. Better-equipped XC40s show a 360deg overhead view.

Volvo’s Google infotainment isalso super-slick and one of the best on the market. For those with a Google Home product, you’ll know the drill: just say “Hey Google” and ask what you want, from adding a new destination to finding out about the weather. Yes, other manufacturers have this tech too, but this application of it just feels the most polished, and for a brand that positions itself as the safest on the market, this clearly adds to that.

Its upright 9.0in screen is another bonus here, especially when navigating. We had a few issues early on, when the system shut down in very low temperatures, resulting in no sounds – including indicator and safety signals – but, after a quick reboot (hold down the infotainment’s only physical button for a few seconds), we had no problems thereafter.

A few moans to finish off. The XC40’s one-pedal mode is too harsh, so I mainly left it turned off outside of occasional testing phases. The lack of any kind of customisation of the instrument display was frustrating. And so was the absence of a mileage indication under the battery percentage (you had to source that information on the central infotainment screen) but, thankfully, this feature has now been added following a very recent over-the-air update.

So would I recommend the XC40 Recharge? Yes. It feels like a car designed to make life easier and that really has proved to be the case. From the amount you can pile in the back to its high levels of passenger comfort and its plethora of safety features, the electric XC40 is a great family all-rounder. I will miss it.

Second Opinion

The newer, longer-range XC40 can only be a good thing for any potential customers of the car. Because while I found the compact looks and decent practicality appealing, the limited range of Will’s Volvo meant that the car wasn’t as relaxing as it should have been. Granted, my commute is unusual in that it’s 120 miles, but having to charge the XC40 at both ends made it harder work than it needed to be.

Piers Ward

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Love it:

The way it looksIt really has a presence akin to that of the also tall and stubby new Land Rover Defender 90.

Hey GoogleThe infotainment truly is superb, and the voice assistant is a plus, especially when you’re on the move.

Helpful pilot modeVolvo’s advanced lane keeping cruising aid makes motorway and A-road driving a cinch.

Loathe it:

Headstrong pilot modeIt can get confused, such as with temporary road markings, and pull you to where it thinks you should be.

Take it or leave itLack of customisation options for the instrument panel is a shame, especially as other firms offer them.

Final mileage: 7349

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Can't use an EV to tow? Think again... - 31 May

We’ve used the towbar for what it was meant for. Hurrah! With 310lb ft of torque and only a small trailer attached, the XC40 EV coped easily. We didn’t even go that far, so the range never got hammered by the extra weight either. Reversing was also easy, although the off- centre-mounted camera proved the only hindrance. So yes, EVs can tow – just keep it local!

Mileage: 6989

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Our Recharge SUV undertakes its longest trip yet. How many charges will it need? - 18 May

Getting out the route planner seems like a faff long forgotten. Nowadays, the destination is entered, start button pressed and away you go. No thinking needed. Bliss.

But, in 2023, it was required once more for a 300-mile-plus trip from Hampshire to Essex. Why? Because my range anxiety has got the better of me, and I don’t trust charging stations planned into my Google Maps route automatically. I’ve been burnt before by blocks that are either not working or have only one cable (usually taken by someone pushing for 100%) on site.

So I put in my route and went full Formula 1 strategy boss: will I need a one-stop, a two-stop or even a three-stop to get me there and back? From the XC40 Recharge’s 69kWh (66kWh usable) battery, coupled with the warmer spring weather, I’m getting around 210-230 miles of range from a charge – considerably more than January’s 170-180 miles.

Realistically, a one-stop wouldsuffice, but that would mean a risky strategy of depleting the battery to a precarious level before adding sufficient electric juice to get me home. Instead, a two-stop was the preferred choice. This is a new way of thinking in the world of EVs: 300 miles is a one-tank doddle for most ICE cars, no matter the size, really.

Anyway, the Volvo’s maiden long excursion was an exciting prospect that raised a few questions. Would the so far brilliant comfort level hold up on a longer journey? Would the range really keep? Would stopping twice be as annoying as it sounded? Would I arrive happy? In short: Yes, yes, no (ish), yes. It really was a rather pleasant day and I arrived, in both instances, without a sore bum and had just a smidgen more miles left than I needed.

The latter was thanks to an average of 3.2mpkWh and a rather nifty 150kW Applegate Electric hyper-charging station at South Mimms seRVices. Six spacious bays, no app needed, 79p per 1kW and you can order food to your car. My vote for the best chargers in the UK has been cast.

After previously noting how the XC40 is a “city-focused car” due to its boxy and not very streamlined shape, it is pleasing to report that it still holds up as a solid motorway proposition, even though miles do drain when it knocks above 60mph.

Love it

Waze to go

Popular mapping app Waze has been added to the Volvo’s infotainment, giving an alternative to Google Maps. Apple Maps can be used through CarPlay.

Loathe it

Cruise control quirk

The Volvo’s Pilot cruise control mode is great, but falls down when overtaking: it’s a bit skittish about getting up to speed.

Mileage: 6145

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The boot is brilliant for bikes - 26April

Dreadful weather halted any attempt at a biking adventure after the fleeting sunshine had given false hope that spring had sprung. No matter: in a welcome find, the chunky Thule four-bike rack stores away in the boot, albeit snugly. On the subject of spring, the SUV’s range is ballooning now: we’re up to 220-230 miles from a charge.

Mileage:4317

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We’re getting ready for spring with some outdoorsy add-ons - 12 April

It’s now three years since we were first told to lock our doors and stay two metres away from everyone. Wow, that flew by. Gone are the days of looking out the window at your unused motor, longing for an escape from the once-loved home you suddenly despised.

Well, kind of. The start of 2023, with its freezing temperatures, battering wind, endless rain and intermittent snowfall has proven difficult for those who like to spend their time outside doing outdoorsy things when the working week ends.

With spring now here, though, the XC40 Recharge outside my flat is really pulling me to join them and do more than go cycling in the New Forest every few months.

As I’ve reported before, this electric SUV has enough room in its 452-litre boot (1289 litres with the back seats down) for a bike, camping gear or a couple of dogs.

But I wanted to dial it up a notch for this test. It’s now fitted with a towbar, so the door has been well and truly swung open for some caravanning or even horsebox-pulling. My mum was very excited.

Hold your horses, though. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.) We will get to that. I’m starting off simple. As you’ve seen above, a bike rack is the first move. And it’s a proper one at that.

With slots for four bikes (enough for a small family, whom an XC40 would suit nicely), this towbar-mounted rack from Thule comes inat £446. Not cheap, but as the £1250 towbar can be optioned and added to the monthly rental cost (£21 per month over four years directly from Volvo), it makes the pair a bit more of an affordable proposition.

When the bike rack is fitted, you certainly know it’s there: the added 1030mm in length bumps the XC40 to nearly 5500mm, which is longer than the very stretched BMW i7.

Given such length, I thought that I would find myself second-guessing during low-speed tight cornering, but the great visibility from the XC40’s superb driving position means manoeuvring around the car park of my city-centre flat is a relative doddle, even if learning where the new pivot point is needs some thinking.

Extra bonus points are awarded for the trick step that tilts the rack forward for easy boot access and the fact the rack fits in said boot, albeit snugly, if needed.

There’s obviously some impact on range, due to the aerodynamic disruption and extra load. The rack weighs just under 22kg on its own, and the average bike weighs around 10kg. So my 220 miles per charge soon dropped below 200.

The XC40 has impressed me with how it can be packed full ofkit and people yet still deliver a comfortable ride and a stress-free driving experience. There are cons too, most notably the limited range (not helped, of course, by the UK’s sub-par charging infrastructure or my lack of a driveway).

However, this issue won’t be quite so bad for future XC40 buyers, with updated cars (due in late 2023) getting a host of significant tweaks to extend the range to 290 miles.

While I’m on the subject, an amendment. In my last report, I cited a fellow XC40 driver who noted “abysmal” economy of 1.88mpkWh. The reason, it turns out, was poor maths (theirs rather than mine, I’m glad to say). Instead, they came closer to 3mpkWh.

Love it

Okay, Google

The infotainment is superb, and the voice assistant is a plus, especially for getting a weather forecast.

Burning eyes

There’s no dark mode for the map, and as the sun pokes out, on comes a distractingly bright backlight.

Mileage: 4161

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Who can spare 30 minutes during their daily commute? Well, we have no choice - 29 March

Range: it’s a word many of us dread. And it is a word, dear reader, that I’m about to use a lot.

I’ve been running a Volvo XC40 Recharge EV for a few months now, so I’m in a good place to report on how much zap you get for your tap (yes, I’m coining that phrase).

For any prospective EV owner, knowing if you will be able to get to where you need to go on a full charge is key. Gone are the days (for now, at least) of quick fill-ups. Factoring an extra 30 minutes into journeys is the new normal – one that I and many others don’t enjoy.

So how is the XC40 faring now that the weather is the right side of freezing? In a nutshell: I wish the 69kWh battery gave more range. Currently, on a 100% charge, this £53,525 car shows between 180 and 200 miles of driving available (the recommended 80% charge giving only about 155 miles). Go anywhere near a motorway and that lower end drops to 150-160 miles – and that’s with my sensible brain engaged.

Still, over nearly 3000 miles of ‘ownership’ (out of a total of 3866 miles), for which I’ve used the car for my 120-odd-mile commute, plus some short bursts on weekends, I’ve averaged 3.0mpkWh. Volvo quotes up to 3.3mpkWh, so I’ve done well.

With public fast-charging prices at 65p per kWh (I use my local Pod Point charger), it costs an eye-watering £40-£45 for a complete fill-up (my usual 30-100%: £32). It would be much cheaper, of course, on a home charger, but sadly I don’t have access to one in my city centre flat.

I’ve seen fellow XC40 Recharge drivers note much worse economy: one as low as 1.88mpkWh – during “sensible” driving, apparently – which he labelled “abysmal”. I would have to agree with that.

But what should I realistically be expecting from a blocky SUV that weighs just over two tonnes? Using the same bodyshell and chassis as its ICE sibling, this isn’t a car that was designed for maximum range. If it had been, something more sleek (even more so than the rakish C40 Recharge) would have been the result. See Tesla’s edgeless Model Y, for example.

With all that said, though, use this XC40 as I believe it was created to be used – as a town potterer, kid ferrier and short-journey plodder – and that top-end range will give you days between charges.

Love it

Chilled out

The XC40 is clearly designed for comfort. Its soft springs negate our many potholes and its lovely interior makes long trips pleasant.

Loathe it

The latest fad is starting your EV with just your bum. The downside? Hop out to grab something and the radio and climate control turn off.

Mileage: 3866

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There’s a reason for the mismatch of name and photo here. Let us explain... - 1 March

This week we have a real-life game of spot the difference. Sitting on the drive above is, to my neighbours at least, the car that is usually there albeit sporting a new paint job. But keen Autocar readers may have spotted a bigger discrepancy than the change in colour: this is the XC40 Recharge’s C40 coupé sibling.

You’ll be wondering where the green SUV has gone. If you read the last report (15 February), you’ll know that a nasty crack appeared in the driver’s side of the windscreen, and it was growing by the mile. So while the car was back with Volvo to get a replacement screen, we had the C40 – in, most importantly, thevastly more powerful Twin guise.

This gave us a chance to judge whether that extra oomph (402bhp versus 228bhp) and slippery rakish body make a difference. Our stand-in was also in top-rung Ultimate spec (£61,950, as tested) so a proper comparison test was truly on.

Two things sprung to mind as the C40 arrived: I’d have its Fjord Blue over the XC40’s Sage Green (both no-cost options) and the body shape makes it look a lot bigger, especially on city roads, despite just a 15mm difference in length.

What became immediately apparent on C40’s first run was the additional blindspots over its SUV sibling, warranting greater attention at junctions and while parking. And, although a great-looking feature, the sloping roof means a tiny rear window that is difficult to see properly out of unless your seat is positioned lower thanyou might otherwise like.

The C40 also loses out on interior space, especially for rear passengers, who take the brunt of its rakish roof. Boot space is another area to suffer compared with the SUV: 413 litres plays 452 litres.

But the all-wheel-drive C40 has a trick up its sleeve: 0-62mph in 4.7sec, which is Ford Focus RS fast. In a two-tonne-plus crossover, such propulsion feels outrageous, especially next to our single-motor XC40’s modest 7.4sec sprint time.

But, in this writer’s opinion, the C40 Twin doesn’t bring that much more to the party. Fast forward to the end of my 14 days with the car and I never found a real-world use for its extra grunt, even on motorways. The SUV’s 228bhp is sufficient; its electric powertrain always gives more than enough out-of-junction/overtaking acceleration.

As for range, the XC40 has aclaimed 262 miles from a 69kWh battery, the C40 278 miles from a 78kWh pack. During real-world use in rather chilly January/February weather, this equated to around 180 miles for the XC40 and 200 for the C40. So, in truth, not much more usability for a car that, when specced in the same Plus trim, is around £9000 more for the extra power and bigger battery.

This C40’s Ultimate trim is a £3000 bump over Plus, bringing extras such as the fantastic bird’s-eye Surround View parking assistant and great-sounding Harman Kardon speakers.

Despite those luxuries, it wasn’t a teary goodbye. The recently repaired and returned XC40 SUV feels more refined than the C40, and without the identity crisis that haunts the rakish coupé. It has a superior seating position, too.

Next up, we’re getting a towbar fitted and bolting on a bike rack. Let’s see if the SUV really is the all-round family/lifestyle machine we hope it can be.

Love it

Pilot assist

Volvo’s slightly autonomous, advanced lane-keeping cruising aid makes motorway and A-road driving a doddle…

Loathe it

Pilot assist

…but the system can get confused, such as with temporary road markings, and it pulls the car to where it thinks (sometimes incorrectly) it should be.

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A crack causes a recall - 15 February

Gothenburg, we have a problem! Just a short while into the XC40’s tenure and disaster has struck, a sizeable crack in the windscreen having appeared. I called Volvo once the fissure doubled in size 30 minutes after first being spotted and we’re booked in for a replacement vehicle. The more powerful C40 Recharge Twin will be standing infor the next two weeks.

Mileage: 2601

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Welcoming the XC40 Rechargeto the fleet - 8 February2023

"You’re kidding; that’s my dream car!” my partner said as news of the incoming Volvo XC40 came in. I had at this point failed to inform her that it would be electric, and given that we live in a city-centre third-floor flat, I felt that was the right call for the time being. More on that to come.

Volvos have long been a divisive choice, especially with the lingering stiGMA of being antique dealer/old man/dad wagons. Even now I’m getting the “Really? A Volvo?” response. Yes, really. And I’m excited. This is my second, having previously owned from new a 2015 V40 D2 (in R-Design specification,of course), which I absolutely adored and hated having to sell.

The new model in question is the baby electric SUV of the current Volvo line-up. The XC40 Recharge is a gorgeous thing to look at (ours is finished in Sage Green) that holds its own on the road as well as any SUV currently on sale. It has a presence akin to that of the also tall and stubby new Land Rover Defender 90.

With a starting price close to £45,000, it’s also well and truly in the premium bracket of electric SUVs. For the money, though, you get a decent amount of standard kit – cruise control, parking cameras, Google’s excellent infotainment system – and about the best ride you’re going to find in this price bracket or even the one above.

Other people clearly agree, because this was Europe’s ninth-best-selling EV last November and Volvo’s best-selling model (in both powertrain forms) overall last year, with a total of 84,132 cars shifted.

Our test model is in mid-level Plus trim (a nicer interior and some neat exterior touches), which bumped the entry price by just under £8000. It also came fitted with some lovely suede-like leather-free microtech upholstery, albeit a £925 option.

Volvo promises a 262-mile range from the XC40’s 69kWh battery for that price. Not bad. However, that dream was shot down straight away after my first 100% charge – that had to be undertaken a 10-minute walk away, given my lack of a driveway/home charger – with the range reading 170 miles. Granted, it was 6deg C outside, but that is a big chop. And with a 120-mile commute, the plan to charge every other day seemed to be in tatters.

On the driving side, the XC40 passes with near-flying colours. Its smooth ride and easy-to-use one-click cruise control, assisted bythe advanced (but weird to get used to) lane keeping Pilot mode, make motorway use a breeze. Just a touch too much road noise lets it down.

The range is once again zapped when you hit 70mph (I returned home with fewer than 30 miles on the clock), showing that this car – the 228bhp single-motor version – was designed more as an inter-town shuttle rather than a longer-distance commuter.

Yet if you order any EV variant of the XC40 now, waiting times mean the model you get will come with a new rear-wheel-drive set-up rather than the front-wheel-drive one of this model. Volvo says that change improves efficiency and therefore range, which rises to 286 miles.

Other plus points in our test car come from the Google-derived infotainment system (it works just like Google Home with speech assistance: ‘Okay, Google…’) and vertically oriented, Google Maps-friendly central screen. But just a week in and disaster struck: the sound stopped working. And not just the radio but the indicators and sensor warnings too; it all comes out of the speakers. Not great. Luckily, YouTube provided the solution and a system reset fixed it.

This wasn’t the only infotainment hiccup. Cold weather makes it slow and buggy, which was particularly infuriating in the recent biting weather when I was attempting to adjust the climate settings or switch my heated seat on (controls for bothof which now, of course, lurk on screen). Last gripe: you can turn the one-pedal drive mode on or off only in the on-screen settings menu, which compares unfavourably with the Volkswagen ID 4’s fly-stalk switching.

Regardless, these are minor problems in an otherwise problem-solving car. With space for five adults (four in maximum comfort), a trip from Southampton to Bristol was a doddle and no leg room gripes were heard. The heated rear seats were particularly loved by passengers.

Christmas, the time that always comes around far too quickly and which requires too many trips back and forth across the country, also felt easy in the XC40. I’m more used to my BMW Z4, with its boot about the size of a kitchen drawer, so the Volvo’s 452-litre offering is Tardis-like in comparison. It swallowed presents for two families without a fuss (although the rear seats were dropped to assist with Dad’s new golf putting mat). And if you need more space, those rear seats can be flattened with the pull of a lever and without the need to faff about with seatbelts. It really is a practical, family-friendly vehicle.

In short, it feels like a car made to make life easier, and so far that really is proving to be the case.

Second Opinion

This XC40 is a car that should reassure people about the change from ICE to EV, because it remains so typically a Volvo. It’s comfy, quiet, supple over bumps and as practical as ever. Sure, the range needs management (mostly by judicious containment of open-roads cruising speeds), but in every other way it’s reassuringly true to its marque values.

Steve Cropley

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Prices: List price new £51,750List price now £54,525Price as tested £53,525

Options:Connect textile and microtech upholstery £925, premium metallic paint £850

Fuel consumption and range: Claimed range262 miles Battery capacity69/67kWh (total/usable)Test average 3.3mpkWhTest best 3.7mpkWhTest worst 2.2mpkWhReal-world range 221 milesMax charge rate150kW

Tech highlights: 0-62mph7.4sec Top speed 99mphEngine Permanent magnet synchronous motorMax power228bhpMax torque 243lb ftTransmission 1-spd reduction gear, FWDBoot capacity 452 litresWheels 19in, alloyTyres 235/50 R19 (f), 255/45 R19 (r), Continental EcoContact 6 Kerb weight2030kg

Service and running costs: Contract hire rate £719 pcmCO2 0g/km Service costs NoneOther costs Windscreen replacement (via insurance), towbar £1250, bike rack £446

Fuel costs £744.24 (mainly public charging)Running costs inc fuel £744.24Cost per mile 10 penceFaultsInfotainment issues

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Will is a Autocar's news editor.​His focus is on setting Autocar's news agenda,interviewing top executives, reporting from car launches, and unearthing exclusives.

As part of his role, he also manages Autocar Business – the brand's B2B platform –andHaymarket's aftermarket publication CAT.