Used 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge

While the 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge looks much like a standard XC40 model, this compact 5-seat crossover SUV lacks a traditional grille. It doesn’t need one. This is an electric vehicle with low-set motors front and rear, and the lithium-ion battery pack resides in the flat floor of the XC40 T8 Recharge’s stout chassis.

Because there’s no engine up front, the XC40 Recharge has a front trunk, or “frunk.” At only 0.7 cubic feet in volume, this frunk is by no means huge, but it can accommodate a couple bags of groceries or (perhaps more often) a charging cable.

In back, the XC40 Recharge has only 14.6 cubic feet of cargo space (versus 20.7 for the standard XC40). This expands to 47.4 cubic feet when the Recharge’s rear bench is folded.

A Jaguar i-Pace, for comparison, has 25.3 cubic feet behind its rear seat, and 60.0 cubic feet with seat folded. The Audi e-tron, another electric SUV, is a bit roomier, with 28.5 and 57.0 cubic feet, respectively.

While this Volvo isn’t the roomiest compact electric SUV, the 2021 XC40 Recharge does have plenty of power. The front and rear electric motors have a combined 402 horsepower, and they draw power from the same 87-kWh lithium-ion battery pack used by the Polestar 2. According to Volvo, the XC40 Recharge can hit 60 mph in only 4.7 seconds. It also has a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says the 2021 Volvo XC40 T8 Recharge has a 208-mile range. As such, it comes up short against the Jaguar I-Pace (234 miles) and the Audi e-tron (222), as well as the Hyundai Kona Electric (258) and Chevrolet Bolt EUV (250 miles).

The battery pack, protected by crumple zones and mounted in a sturdy aluminum structure, can reach an 80% charge in as little as 40 minutes using a 220-volt fast charger.

Volvo plans to build nothing but electric vehicles by 2030, and the new 2021 XC40 T8 Recharge gives early adopters a chance to sample the EV action right now.

KBB recently spent some time in a 2021 Volvo XC40 T8 Recharge. Our findings:

With 408 horsepower, the XC40 Recharge is remarkably quick. It has immediate power as soon as the accelerator pedal is pressed. It’s quiet, too, with only a hint of an audible electric whine. Because this Volvo is an all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle, its abundant electric torque doesn’t have any untoward effect on the steering, which has a natural effort, but a ratio that’s slightly slower than expected.

Because the bulk of the XC40 Recharge’s weight is the battery carried low in its chassis, this Volvo takes corners with excellent composure. Even though this electric Volvo has the elevated seating position of a compact crossover SUV, its low center of gravity equates to minimal body roll in turns.

Driving around Los Angeles, we opt for one-pedal driving. This allows the driver to accelerate or slow this Volvo EV as needed, simply by pressing or releasing the accelerator pedal. There’s no need to ever touch the brakes.

While it takes a while to master the one-pedal technique, you’ll get there. And once you do, you’ll find that it’s a very efficient way to drive because every time you lift off the accelerator, the electric motors become generators that charge the battery pack.

At one point, the battery gauge in the XC40 Recharge’s digital instrument panel shows a 93-percent charge. Wanting to know what that equates to in miles, I use the “Hey, Google” audible interface to ask the vehicle what my remaining range is in miles. It replies: “211 miles.”

Interestingly, that’s more than the official EPA range of 208 miles. How can that be? Well, we all must understand that with one-pedal driving — particularly the type you do in stop-and-go LA traffic — regen happens every time you lift off the pedal. In regular 2-pedal driving, the XC40 Recharge doesn’t slow much at all when you lift off the accelerator. In fact, this Volvo really wants to keep moving, and an actual brake application is needed to effectively slow the vehicle and begin charging its battery.

All told, driving the XC40 Recharge is a pleasant experience. It’s quick, comfortable, and refined, and vehicle ingress/egress is remarkably easy, given this Volvo’s convenient height. While the new XC40 Recharge may not have the range of some of its competition, it still has more than enough to satisfy the typical daily needs of most buyers. That stated, it wouldn’t displease us if Volvo chose to give up some straight-line acceleration for added range.

The 5-seat Volvo XC40 T8 Recharge has an interior with a modern and youthful feel. While the seats are the same as those of the standard XC40, the Recharge has concave décor panels on the dash and front doors as well as unique air vents and door panels with deep pockets.

Drawing most attention inside this compact Volvo electric SUV is the large and vertical central touchscreen, which offers Google Assistant, Google Maps, and the Google Play Store but remains compatible with Apple CarPlay.

As a vehicle based on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), the XC40 Recharge was built with electrification in mind, so it similar interior space as the standard XC40. It also has Volvo’s patented “Air Woofer” speaker, mounted just below the windshield. Volvo says it provides the vehicle with powerful bass without occupying precious space in the door panels.

Interior highlights include heated, power-adjustable front seats, configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a multi-talented center console that includes an electronic gear shifter with a storage area below, a USB-C port, a removable wastebasket, and a center armrest offering yet more storage below.

While the XC40 Recharge isn’t as roomy as a standard XC40 in the far back, Volvo makes the most of the cargo space. A foldable and removable floor can be transformed into a load divider, or it can be used to create a sub-floor storage area that is hidden and secure when the XC40 Recharge is locked.

How can you spot an XC40 Recharge? Easy. Look for an XC40 with a gloss-black roof, gloss-black roof rails, and gloss-black mirror caps. Also, the XC40 Recharge sports a unique front fascia that lacks a conventional grille.

The XC40 Recharge’s new nose serves two purposes: It improves aerodynamics (and thereby range) while also providing a mounting platform for the XC40 Recharge’s entirely new Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS).

Other unique bits include a charging port (on the driver’s side rear fender), a gloss-black rear diffuser, and Recharge badging on the hatch, C-pillars, and front door sills. The XC40 Recharge also is available in an exclusive color called Sage Green Metallic.

GOOGLE SERVICES
The Volvo XC40 Recharge has a redesigned central touchscreen and driver module that uses the Android Auto operating system.  This means the XC40 T8 Recharge has Google Services, which includes Google Maps and Google Assistant.

NEW ADAS SENSOR PLATFORM
The new XC40 T8 Recharge has Volvo’s newest Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) sensor platform, which means the vehicle is better at avoiding collisions. At low and high speeds, the XC40 will apply its brakes and sometimes steer away from an accident with another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist. The new scalable sensor platform, coming to all Volvos, receives over-the-air functional updates.

The XC40 T8 Recharge complements its robust chassis and dual-motor AWD electric powertrain with a generous list of standard features.

Notable standard features include a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, 19-inch alloy wheels, a charcoal-colored headliner, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, a power moonroof, tinted rear glass, and a high-voltage coolant heater. This last item allows you to bring the interior of the XC40 Recharge interior up to a comfortable temperature before you get into the vehicle on a cold morning.

Other standard hardware on the 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge includes a heated grille emblem (which also acts as a housing for the front camera) and heated front seats, plus fog lights, a rear armrest (with cupholders), power-retractable side mirrors, satellite radio, and voice controls for the climate, navigation, and entertainment systems.

Standard safety features on this compact electric Volvo SUV abound. Besides eight airbags, the XC40 Recharge has blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert (with automatic braking), a driver-alertness monitor, a lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist.

Options on the 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge include 20-inch alloy wheels ($800), a Climate Package ($750), an Advanced Technology Package ($1,300), and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system ($800).

The Advanced Technology Package comes highly recommended. It includes adaptive cruise control (with Pilot Assist, Volvo’s hands-on semi-autonomous driving system), a 360-degree camera, wireless smartphone charging, and niceties like a 12-volt power outlet in the cargo area and high-pressure headlight washers.

The Climate Package includes a heated steering wheel, heated wiper blades, and heated rear seats.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge shares its dual-motor powertrain and 87-kWh lithium-ion battery pack with the Polestar 2. There’s a liquid-cooled electric motor at each end, with a battery mounted low in the chassis between the axles.

Combined, the two electric motors produce 402 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque.

The EPA rates the XC40 Recharge at 85 MPGe in the city and 72 MPGe on the highway. The max range is 208 miles. Top speed is limited to 112 mph.

A few other notable facts: The maximum towing capacity of the Volvo XC40 Recharge is 2,000 pounds. Using a DC fast charger, the XC40 Recharge can be brought up to an 80% charge in about 40 minutes. Also, the XC40 Recharge comes with an 11-kW onboard charger.

Two permanent-magnet synchronous motors
87-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
402 horsepower
487 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 85/72 MPGe
EPA Range: 208 miles