Severe initial depreciation means that you can now pick up a stylish and refined Volvo EV for a bargain price
Smart, stylish and alarmingly quick, the XC40 Recharge is the unconventional take on a relatively conventional SUV that kick-started Volvo's electric reinvention.The XC40 arrived in 2017 with a choice of traditional petrol and diesel engines, but Volvo had always planned to turn its fashionable mini-SUV into an EV and designed it to house a battery and an electric motor (or two) from the outset.So three years later came the Recharge, with a surprisingly punchy dual-motor powertrain that made 402bhp and 487lb ft. That's more than a Lotus Emira V6, and sufficient for 0-62mph in 4.9sec. In a crossover. A Volvo crossover.It's a shame that the P8 (as it was badged at launch) didn't have the handling to match its straight-line pace, but its 2.2-tonne bulk inevitably limited the dynamics somewhat. The ride was also disappointing over anything other than butter-smooth Tarmac.Volvo had put serious thought into the Recharge P8's range and efficiency, though, so it wasn't all about scrabbling tyres and queasy passengers. The top-rung XC40 came with a 78kWh battery, promising a range of up to 259 miles, and given its DC charging speeds of up to 150kW (considered quick at the time), the pack can be boosted from 10% to 80% in around half an hour.Volvo renamed the Recharge P8 as Recharge Twin in 2021 and expanded the line-up with a coupé version called the C40. A year later, it rolled out a new 228bhp single-motor version, offering greater efficiency for less money but still feeling pretty quick in everyday use. It wasn't quite as long-legged as it should have been, though. Powered by a 69kWh battery, the more sedate single-motor Recharge had a claimed 263-mile range, but when we first drove the model, it returned only about 200 miles.At the same time, a new Core trim was added to reduce the price of the Recharge and bring it closer to EVs in the segment below, giving those in the market for a hatchback-sized EV the opportunity to get into a slightly bigger, smarter-looking car for a similar price.That may have been appealing from new, but you will want a higher-spec Plus car (or even the range-topping Ultimate) if buying second-hand, as the heat pump and heated seats make winter commuting much more pleasant.All XC40 Recharge models have a stylishly minimalist ambience inside, irrespective of trim level. The clutter-free dashboard is neatly appointed, there are tactile buttons and switches, and the overall refinement is impressive. Light-coloured wood trim helps lift the mood above the more austere vibe found inside rivals.A panoramic roof and Harman Kardon sound system gave the range-topping Ultimate variant a luxury edge over its range-mates.All versions have the same 12.3in digital instrument cluster and 9.0in portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen powered by Google's Android Automotive software. It is packed full of useful features but isn't the easiest to get along with and is particularly tricky to operate on the move.It's a surprisingly practical and spacious EV. Volvo ensured that the addition of an electric motor or two and a battery to the XC40's set-up wouldn't encroach on the cabin. You still get 410 litres of boot space too-as opposed to 452 litres in the ICE-powered car - and there's a 31-litre 'frunk' for charging cables.It also has countless places to house all the usual family bits, with large door bins that can take anything from a water bottle to a laptop.
