2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 – electric SUV review | What Car?

How much?? Yes, it's expensive. But, Volvo's first fully electric car may just be worth every penny. Watch to find out exactly what the Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 is like, and how it compares to rivals like the Audi E-tron, Tesla Model 3 and Volkswagen ID.3.




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Video chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:27 Appearance comparison
1:07 Battery and charging
1:41 Space
1:53 Interior
3:17 Performance
4:44 Suspension
5:08 Drive settings
6:03 Pricing and range
7:11 Summary
7:31 Outro

[niksto]

I have had mine for three months now and it is the best car I ever owned. It's fast, fun to drive, stylish. In the winter with snow on the road the range around 200 Km. But then I drive like I had stolen the car. Now with dry roads, the range is far better, still with the winter tires. I will change wheels on Thursday and expect the range to be even better. And, google assistant works perfectly. I just ask it to "take me to Nygatan 25 in Södertälje" and in a second I have the map ready. I dont even have to say "please".

[melodytalks]

With that hefty price tag it will seriously struggle to compete with realistically priced Tesla, VW D3/4, MG EV, etc...
In real world this car should be priced around 30k....

[proboxpepper]

As much as I love this little thing, they indeed messed up the pricing for this car.

[hedydd]

Don't use those menus on the move! It's quite unnecessary. There are steering wheel controls and voice control for all adjustments you need to make on the move.

[mrmuds]

I think you hit the nail on the head, unlike electrifying, who said it's the best XC40, I commented and said they're dreaming if they think they're gonna sell any at that price, given that this is essentially the size of an Audi Q3, yet the pricing is very close to an e tron.

[shafiqmustafa]

It’s a great car very good looking better than the range Rover but ridiculously expensive

[ningster]

ordered placed.... after test driving the model Y, I pulled the trigger on this XC40 recharge...

[johngaudet]

I'm glad to here battery pack and motor is shared with Polestar, It will give a clear indication of reliability of these EVs. I'm thinking of possibly upgrading my Volvo in the future for a Polestar 2.

[ViktorFFF]

In Norway the price starts from £42000, seems like it for some reason is much more expensive in the UK, usually it´s the other way around

[Phantom]

I agree to grab headlines it needs to be cheaper or have a range of over 300 miles.

[markjwil]

It seems the XC40 Recharge is very good and not the best. I'm sure Volvo will not have a problem selling these.

[Outrigger]

Over at SwedeSpeed Forum a few guys who wanted more range than 208 miles (EPA) for the XC40 P8 are saying they'll just go ahead and buy the XC40 PHEV and wait a few years for the BEV range to improve. They all said that their daily drive would usually be less than the XC40's PHEV's all-electric range, and Volvo says that their PHEVs are driven 83% in 'Pure" or all electric mode anyway. Also, Volvo has said that all their BEV XC40 P8 production for 2020 has already been sold, so if you order one it will be next year. As for me, I'm waiting for the BEV XC90 P8, out in a couple of years. Rumors are that SPA2 will have a 120 kWh battery, and the XC90 P8 will be a coupe-like SUV for better aerodynamics. It will not use Siemens electric motors, like the XC40 and Polestar 2, but an in-house electric motor that will be more efficient. So expecting a 300+ mile range for the XC90 P8 is not unreasonable. I can't wait.

[candlehotel]

Bought the XC40 full electric, then had to drive through France to the UK. 1400 kilometres. The real range on the motorway, speed steady at 115km/hour, was a maximum of 200km.
Basically driving for 1h 45 mins, then having to stop for 40 mins to charge the battery. It is unusable for long drives. The range advertised by Volvo is 400km, which is completely untrue.
I have now sold it.

[matthewtaylorwade]

My mum has the eletric kia soul 2021 and the full charge is 280 but to be honest we get about 320 mileage and its a very good car and its definitely worth the money

[jesperkragh]

thanks very much for well rounded review. it is somewhat surprising that the infotainment has these android phonelike sub menus considering how well it is implemented in the polestar 2. but maybe they will get some updates for better usability ota. one question though: is it known how soon after launch that lower spec xc40 p8's will become available. I really lust for a xc40 p8 but the first launch model price tag is a bit on the high side

[davidbenson]

Well done Doug. A very comprehensive report. Still leaning to a PHEV. Thank you.

[Lloydmax]

Volvo were well placed to be a leader in EVs, slowly getting there but not good enough yet imo

[olleborgstrom]

In Sweden The XC40 recharge inscription is 50 000$ and then you get a state fund of 6000$ so its only 44 000$ here

[briannorbury]

I stopped watching when he told us the price. Crazy.

[kendavid]

I have a Volvo c70 and love it, this new Volvo ev is good looking, has heritage not like the "other guys"lol