2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge Review
In 2017, Volvo became one of the first legacy automakers to commit to a fully electric model lineup by 2030. This was a bold move at the time, indicating that every model Volvo launched from 2019 onwards would have an electric motor. Although Volvo has since included hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) in that vision, the company remains committed to 100 percent electric in the long run.
What’s in a name? The “Recharge” name was applied to its models that were either fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrains. The XC40 Recharge, introduced in 2021, was the first of the all-electric models to spearhead its electrification plan since the company’s original announcement. As part of Volvo’s model renaming strategy, the XC40 Recharge will be called the EX40 from 2025 onwards to indicate its full-electric powertrain, joining the EX30, EC40, and EX90 models.
Changes To 2024 Volvo XC40 Design
For 2024, Volvo has significantly updated its all-electric SUV. Under the skin, Volvo has essentially reconfigured the XC40 Recharge from a front-wheel drive (FWD) biased vehicle to a rear-wheel drive (RWD) biased vehicle by moving the main electric motor to the rear – something you can only achieve with relative ease with an electric vehicle. The revised XC40 Recharge also gains a new battery and electric motors for greater efficiency and range.
The XC40 Recharge’s exterior styling largely remains unchanged for 2024. That’s a good thing. It’s an attractive exterior design that is clearly more SUV-like with its upright stance, high roofline, vertical rear hatch, and high 7-inch ground clearance.
Unlike some its competitors, the XC40 Recharge is built on the same chassis as its gas-powered sibling. The long hood is a bit unusual for an EV but is needed to accommodate its sibling’s gas engine and transmission. The XC40 Recharge’s is almost indistinguishable from its gas-powered sibling, except for the body-colored grille insert, badging, wheels, and blacked out D-pillar.
The XC40 Recharge sits in the subcompact premium SUV crossover category at 174.8 inches in length, which is a few inches shorter than a Genesis GV60 and Audi Q4 e-tron but about 10 inches shorter than a Mercedes-Benz EQB.
Volvo XC40 Recharge: Interior and Versatility
For 2024, the interior is unchanged and still wears a traditional dashboard layout that it shares with its gas-powered sibling. Those familiar with Volvos will be right at home.
The XC40 Recharge is distinguished by a unique topography-design trim on the dashboard and front door panels that light up at night. An available sustainable wool blend seat fabric is unique to the Recharge model and made from 30 percent responsibly produced wool and 70 percent polyester that replaces the leather option in the gas-powered version.
The fully-digital instrument cluster clearly displays charging and battery information with the option of displaying the Google navigation in front of the steering wheel. The portrait-format 9-inch infotainment screen is on the small side compared to some of its newer competitors like the Genesis GV60 and Mercedes EQB, but is powered by a built-in Google system that offers wired Apple CarPlay and excellent Google route planning.
You can change and view charging and driving settings like steering wheel feel, one-pedal driving, and more. I found that the icons were a bit on the small side and difficult to navigate when driving. A bigger screen and/or hard buttons for the climate control would help. The XC40 Recharge is equipped with an available 360-degree camera system, but I found the low resolution and fish-eyed display a bit awkward when using for parking.
Although the exterior dimensions are a decent size, it doesn’t directly translate into a roomy cabin. Front passengers will be super comfortable with some of the best seats in the industry. However, the long hood and transmission tunnel that are designed to accommodate its gas-powered sibling’s components reduce the XC40 Recharge’s interior space, particularly for rear passengers. The upright rear seats help make up for the lack of a flat floor and reduced legroom from the XC40 Recharge’s short 106.4-inch wheelbase.
Its 25.0 cubic-foot cargo space is a tad more than competitors like the Genesis GV60, Audi Q4-etron, and Mercedes-Benz EQB, which prioritize rear passenger room over cargo space. There’s also a front trunk area that’s large enough for smaller items such as the included dual voltage charging cables – something not found on the Audi or Mercedes-Benz.
XC40 Recharge Range and Charging
The biggest news for 2024 is under the floor of the XC40 Recharge. The most notable revision is changing the vehicle’s previous front-wheel drive (FWD) design to a rear-wheel drive (RWD) design – something that’s a lot easier to do with electric vehicles. By placing the primary electric motor at the rear, it results in better performance and driving characteristics.
RWD models get a larger 82-kWh (gross) battery pack, with 79 kWh being usable. There’s an all-new electric motor developed in-house by Volvo with 248 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The new battery and electric motor result in an improved estimated EPA combined range of 293 miles (472 km).
Charging has improved for the RWD model. The new larger battery pack allows for a peak Level 3 DC Fast Charging rate of 200 kW – higher than some of its competitors, and according to Volvo, you can charge the battery from 10-80 percent in about 28 minutes.
The Twin Motor (AWD) models are equipped with a carryover 78-kWh battery pack, but with a new, more powerful, rear electric motor and front electric motor combining to produce a total 402 hp and an estimated EPA combined range of 254 miles (408 km) – 31 miles (50 km) more than the previous model year. With the popularity of AWD models in North America, it’s odd that Volvo decided to carryover the AWD model’s 78-kWh battery and peak 150 kW DC charging rate.
As most owners will likely charge at home with a Level 2 home charger, both the RWD and AWD models have a decent 11.2kW (48A) onboard AC charger, which will allow for charging from empty to full in about seven hours for overnight charging.
Volvo’s 2024 models are still equipped with the CCS connector mounted on the driver’s side rear. It’s rumored that Volvo is among the next automakers to get the Tesla connector – also referred to as the NACS or J3400 connector – built into the vehicle, hopefully for the 2025 model year.
Driving the Volvo XC40 Recharge
Like all other Volvos, the XC40 Recharge is a comfortable and great-riding EV. Thanks to its subcompact size and short wheelbase, it’s fairly nimble around town. Even in my AWD tester, I could definitely feel the difference between last year’s FWD design and the new RWD set up. Handling and cornering are more predictable, a characteristic of RWD biased vehicles. It’s not a plush ride like a Cadillac. Rather it’s very European with a great combination of handling, steering feel, and comfort.
The accelerator pedal takes some getting used to. It almost feels like the vehicle is in park and takes a bit more pressure than usual to get the vehicle moving from a standstill. But once the XC40 Recharge gets moving, power comes on strong and it accelerates instantly like most other EVs. You can definitely feel the Twin model’s 402 hp in various driving scenarios.
There are three settings for one-pedal driving accessed through the infotainment screen – on, off, and automatic. In the “on” setting, the regen is very strong at pedal lift-off, especially at lower speeds. Even at higher speeds, regen is fairly strong to slow the vehicle down faster than some other EVs that I’ve driven. In “automatic” setting, it allows the XC40 Recharge to coast more on the highway for more efficient driving. I was able to achieve greater efficiency on the highway in the automatic setting. When applying the brakes, Volvo uses a blended regenerative and friction braking system, where the regen will provide initial braking force and the friction brakes will bring the vehicle to a stop. The transition is seamless.
Volvo XC40 Recharge Pricing and Competition
The base “Core” trim has a starting MSRP of $52,450 USD (excluding destination) and comes pretty well-equipped. The “Plus” trim starts at $55,400 and adds a panoramic moonroof, a 360 degree camera, and more. At $58,800, the “Ultimate” trim adds larger 20-inch wheels, Pilot Assist, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, and other features. You can add AWD to each of these trims for an additional $1,750.
There are few direct competitors to the XC40 Recharge, all of which offer different characteristics. In the premium and luxury space, the closest battery-electric competitors are the Genesis GV60, Audi Q4 e-tron, Mercedes-Benz EQB, and upcoming Cadillac Optiq. The Genesis GV60 starts around the same price at an MSRP of $52,350 and offers similar range. The GV60’s fastback design is not as practical as the XC40 Recharge’s upright design, but offers more rear cabin space and significantly faster DC charging capabilities.
The upcoming Cadillac Optiq will start at and MSRP of $52,895 and will offer a larger vehicle, similar range, and likely more standard features. The Audi Q4 e-tron is a bit more expensive at a starting MSRP of $55,200 but offers standard AWD and a bit more space. The Mercedes EQB has a starting MSRP of $53,050 for the FWD model, offers slower acceleration and less range, but is significantly larger and even offers seating for up to seven passengers. Both the Audi and Mercedes can get pricey once you add the options and packages.
Final Thoughts on the Volvo XC40 Recharge
The XC40 Recharge may not be the newest kid on the block, but the changes for 2024 make Volvo’s first all-electric SUV a much more competitive and compelling vehicle. In the premium EV space, the XC40 Recharge offers familiar Volvo characteristics and touches with excellent value. If you’re looking for a proven premium all-electric SUV, the Volvo XC40 Recharge is a great option.
