The XC40 Recharge is in the middle of the pack for its class; we think you may want to wait for the EX30.

Electrical automobiles look like at a tipping level; ranges develop longer annually, charging occasions turn out to be faster, and in some circumstances, costs fall to extra inexpensive ranges. The 2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge is an ideal indicator of this development. This small electrical crossover has truly turn out to be cheaper and gained extra vary because it first debuted for the 2021 mannequin yr. To be truthful, a lot of that value drop and vary improve is on account of a rear-motor variant that wasn’t obtainable at launch, however the rising tide of electrification signifies that this appears to be the norm amongst EVs.

We have had the prospect to drive the XC40 Recharge (and the associated C40 Recharge) a number of occasions through the years, however they’ve all been outfitted with the dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup. This 2024 XC40 Recharge Final was our first alternative to check the rear-drive variant, which boasts much less energy however considerably longer vary at 293 miles primarily based on EPA scores.

Our week driving the XC40 comes on the precipice of main change for the Volvo model: the EX90 is about to reach as a brand new flagship EV and, on the different finish of the spectrum, the EX30 will supply electrical luxurious transportation for underneath $35,000. Even the XC40 Recharge is about to be renamed because the EX40 for the 2025 mannequin yr, signaling this new electrified Volvo period. With a lot evolution proper on the horizon, is now the fitting time to buy an electrical Volvo just like the XC40 Recharge?

Exterior: Nonetheless Cute

The XC40 Recharge hasn’t modified a lot on the surface because it was launched to the US market a couple of years in the past. It is nonetheless a somewhat cute, enticing little utility car that carefully resembles the gas-powered XC40. The Recharge stands aside with a body-color grille and a white badge on the liftgate. 19-inch wheels come commonplace on the Core and Plus trims, however clients can improve to 20-inch five-spoke wheels for $800. These wheels look a bit plain, however they do come commonplace on the highest Final trim.

Volvo’s exterior colour decisions for this automobile, very like different Volvo’s, is not in-your-face and might greatest be described as a palette of pastels. There are a number of enjoyable hues, although, together with Cloud Blue, Fjord Blue, Brilliant Nightfall, and Sage Inexperienced. The remainder are extra muted: Onyx Black, Silver Daybreak, Crystal White, and our tester’s Vapour Gray.

Inside: Intelligent Options

It might have a luxurious badge, however the XC40 Recharge retains issues quite simple inside. A Charcoal Fusion microtech textile inside comes commonplace on the Core, mimicking the appear and feel of leather-based. The Plus and Final trims improve to a Charcoal Join suede textile with obtainable Fjord Blue accents for a further $1,100. You may go for the Core’s textile surfaces for no-cost. For $250, the Final could be lined with a Midnight Zinc Tailor-made wool mix, a floor that we wished to like however felt itchy to the contact.

Nothing in regards to the XC40 Recharge’s inside feels ‘wow’, which isn’t shocking given the Swedish minimalism. The nine-inch heart touchscreen seems to be fairly small by 2024 requirements, although the Google-powered interface is tremendous intuitive to make use of. In the meantime, the 12-inch digital gauge cluster can solely present the velocity and throttle place with or and not using a Google Map; this is without doubt one of the least customizable gauge clusters we have ever skilled.

The place Volvo fails to impress on supplies or know-how, the XC40 does boast some intelligent storage options. A detachable trash bin sits close to the armrest with a spring-loaded lid and there is a flip-out hook within the glove field that is good for a bag or purse.

Cargo: Small However Good

This isn’t a big car, nevertheless it makes good use of area. The entrance seats supply a beneficiant 40.9 inches of legroom with 36.1 inches within the second row. These second-row seats can be heated as a part of a $1,000 Local weather Package deal or commonplace on the Final trim. It beats out the This fall e-tron and GV60 for max cargo area, nipping on the heels of a lot bigger EVs just like the EQB, though each the Audi and Genesis supply higher head- and legroom.

There may be 16 cubic ft of area behind the rear seats and 57.5 cubes whole. You may as well raise the trunk flooring to make use of as a hanger for luggage, so they do not roll round. A small entrance trunk is out there with sufficient room to squeeze your charging cable, a function that a number of rivals should not have.

Efficiency: Fast To Faster

For the 2024 mannequin yr, Volvo elevated the battery pack measurement to 82 kWh for the XC40 Recharge, up from 78 kWh. When you go for the Twin Motor setup, nonetheless, you continue to get the outdated, smaller battery pack. A Single Motor mannequin joins the lineup for 2024, sending 248 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels solely. 0-60 takes a good 6.9 seconds with a 293-mile driving vary. Although we did not have an opportunity to completely check Volvo’s vary declare, the automobile solely displayed a disappointing 230 miles on a 100% cost.

As compared with some rivals, the XC40 Recharge RWD is not something to smell at, though it is price noting that the single-motor Audi This fall e-tron was changed with solely a dual-motor mannequin halfway by the mannequin yr, so these figures pertain to the run-out single motor trims:

In addition to vary, charging velocity is one more reason to pick the Single Motor possibility. It will possibly cost at as much as 200 kW on a DC quick charger, which means it may go from 10-80% battery in 28 minutes. The Twin Motor automobile is proscribed to a 150 kW peak, which means that the identical cost will take 34 minutes; the vary can be decrease at 254 miles.

As a comfort prize, the Twin Motor setup trounces the Single Motor setup with 402 hp and 494 lb-ft of torque. A 4.6-second 0-60 mph is among the many greatest within the subcompact electrical luxurious crossover phase, outmatched solely by the 2024 Genesis GV60 Efficiency. Volvo will quickly introduce a brand new EV referred to as the EX30, which is able to produce as much as 422 hp and hit 60 mph in simply 3.4 seconds, making it the quickest automobile from the Swedish model on the time of writing.

Driving Impressions: Nice However Undefined

This is not our first rodeo in an electrical Volvo, however that is our first time sampling a rear-motor variant. Volvo and its sister firm Polestar beforehand positioned the motor on the entrance axle, and have despatched us Twin Motor automobiles to evaluation earlier than. That setup is intoxicatingly fast, however the RWD XC40 Recharge proved itself to be greater than most drivers will ever want. There may be an preliminary shove off the road that does not begin to let off till round 40 mph. By that time, most affordable drivers have already reached a cruising velocity or solely have a bit extra velocity to achieve to take care of a freeway tempo.

The XC40 Recharge is not the softest Volvo, neither is it the sportiest, regardless of its aggressive tempo. There aren’t any conventional drive modes right here, simply regular or agency steering and brake regeneration settings. Whereas we admire the simplicity, the XC40 Recharge would not appear to know its purpose in life; is it imagined to be a enjoyable each day runabout, or an equipment? Whereas now we have little or no to complain about with the XC40 Recharge, it fails to face out from the group.

Pricing & Verdict: Ready For Change

Because of the Single Motor Variant, the 2024 XC40 Recharge is cheaper than when it first debuted, beginning at $52,450 for the Core trim, excluding vacation spot. Choosing the Plus trim provides a panoramic roof, air air purifier, and a 360-degree digital camera for $55,400, and that is the one we might get if it had been our cash. Our Final tester has a beginning value of $58,800, including luxurious options like Harmon Kardon audio, Pilot Help, pixel headlights, and extra, and even outfitted like this, it is one of many cheaper fashions within the phase.

When you can stay with slower charging and a decrease vary, the Twin Motor setup provides one other $1,750 to the whole price, which will likely be price it for the efficiency enhance, and – and regardless of the over-$60k price ticket, continues to be one of many extra inexpensive EVs within the class.

Amongst its rivals, the XC40 Recharge looks like stable worth. Volvo priced it competitively towards the Audi This fall e-tron and even the bigger three-row-capable Mercedes-Benz EQB; when the Volvo traces up towards the Genesis GV60, the sport adjustments a bit, with the latter possibility being extra well-specced, albeit a bit smaller. It additionally gives a fast efficiency by-product with as a lot as 429 hp – however you may need to pay for it.

Assuming you may stay with a smaller automobile, the upcoming Volvo EX30 looks like will probably be terrific worth – and that is the fly within the ointment. Beginning at simply $34,950, the EX30 is way extra inexpensive than the least costly XC40 Recharge or another EV with a luxurious badge. With a recreation changer like this on the horizon, we would maintain on off an XC40 Recharge buy.