The 2022 XC40 Recharge is an electrical car caught in the midst of a quickly growing electrical car market. Sharing a platform with the XC40 fuel mannequin, the small crossover is just one 12 months previous and it’s already been upgraded. This 12 months, the vary will increase from 208 to 233 miles, and a surround-view digicam system comes commonplace, as does wi-fi smartphone charging. And Volvo has already introduced a more energizing model of the XC40 Recharge, doubtless as a 2023 mannequin.
Not like the fuel mannequin, there’s no Lava orange inside trim, and the storage cubby beneath the motive force’s seat is gone. After per week of testing it within the chilly and snow round Chicago, this new automobile main the cost for Volvo’s electrical car plans felt kinda previous. It’s not, particularly in comparison with its gas-powered sibling, however newer EVs such because the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are extra nuanced.
Right here’s what’s good and what may use enchancment on the 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge in its prime Twin Final trim.
Hit: Volvo type
Minimalism works, particularly on the within. The XC40 Recharge inside seems to be loads just like the fuel mannequin, all the way down to the driveshaft tunnel working down the middle of the ground and a plugged gap the place the ignition change goes within the fuel automobile. A 9.0-inch vertical touchscreen flanked by vertical vents facilities the sprint with out overwhelming it, and the one buttons are entrance and rear defrosters, hazards, a tuning knob, and a quantity dial. It’s the cleanest sprint round, accentuated by Volvo’s studded aluminum trim.
Miss: Feels dated
The digital instrument cluster is less complicated but extra restricted than different new automobiles, electrical or in any other case. The digital speedo and power meter will be marginalized to the perimeters for a superb Google Maps view or for navigation, or it may be clean and the gauges bigger. The knowledge age skipped this cluster. Press the fitting steering wheel button and it’ll briefly present the tripmeter. The higher and decrease menu bars present state of cost and driver-assist options, but it surely seems like information is lacking in comparison with newer EVs.
Controls for drive modes or regenerative braking are hidden within the touchscreen menus, which supplies the cockpit that cleanliness. The one drive mode possibility adjusts the steering heft, and the selection of regenerative braking is both a grabby one-pedal driving mode or a traditional mode that simulates coasting to a cease like a fuel automobile.
Hit and Miss: Easy however may have extra room
The upside is that it’s easy to function the XC40 Recharge, and its foremost controls operate the identical as within the gas-powered XC40. Get used to speaking to Google Assistant for many car capabilities, and there’s just about no have to fiddle with the restricted cluster or buried touchscreen choices. Head, leg, shoulder, and cargo room are the identical as within the fuel mannequin, which suggests it doesn’t reap the benefits of the roomier ground plan of a devoted EV platform. For Volvo followers contemplating a change to electrical, the XC40 Recharge makes for a comparatively seamless transition. Simply keep in mind to hit the unlock button within the cost portal when unplugging it.
Hit and Miss: No begin, no worries
There’s no ignition change, or a begin cease button. Get in, buckle up, change the console lever to R or D and go. It’s nice whenever you’re working late. To park, push the P button and get out. It’s easy, however unnerving. The XC40 Recharge just isn’t the one electrical car to do that, however after per week of testing it, I used to be nonetheless unsettled sufficient to hit the lock button on the fob repeatedly whereas strolling away from it.
Hit and Miss: Efficiency
Each XC40 Recharge comes with a dual-motor powertrain and all-wheel drive. Output is rated at a powerful 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, specs that far exceed the bottom XC40 T5 fuel mannequin (248 hp and 258 lb-ft). It jumps off the road and darts by way of visitors fast sufficient to hit 60 mph within the mid four-second vary, however at 4,760 lb it doesn’t rip like its specs would recommend. With the battery within the ground between the axles and the bottom clearance at 6.9 inches (the XC40 T5 sits at 8.3 inches), the XC40 Recharge has a decrease heart of gravity and stays comparatively planted. But different electrical crossovers such because the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5 deal with higher and lack the physique lean of the XC40 Recharge.
Miss: Inefficient
The 2022 XC40 Recharge’s elevated vary doesn’t offset its low effectivity rating for AWD electrical crossovers. It makes use of 39 kwh per 100 miles, in response to the EPA. Probably the most environment friendly AWD electrical car, the Tesla Mannequin 3, makes use of 26 kwh per 100 miles; the Mannequin Y AWD makes use of 28 kwh; probably the most environment friendly AWD variants of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E get 34 kwh. The inefficiency is notable in chilly climate states and for drivers who log largely freeway miles, as I did in my week with the XC40.
Effectivity isn’t a deal breaker as a result of the charms of the XC40 Recharge outweigh the criticisms. However cheaper electrical crossovers launched prior to now 12 months really feel more energizing.
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2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Final
Base worth: $52,795, together with $1,095 vacation spot
Value as examined: $60,090
Drivetrain: 78-kwh lithium-ion battery pack with dual-motor AWD, 402 hp and 486 lb-ft
EPA gas economic system: 223-mile vary, 85 MPGe
The hits: Volvo type, good transition EV, good efficiency
The misses: Feels dated, comparatively inefficient