The Volvo XC40 Recharge Redefines Compact Luxury But Raises Some Questions - TheSmokingTire

Volvo has done so many things right with the XC40 Recharge. The build quality, styling, use of space, and interior comfort are second-to-none. The integration of the powertrain is excellent. It's a very nice thing to drive and use at its intended purpose, and it's also very, very quick! But Volvo has also chased Tesla some places it didn't need to go, integrated Google in some confusing ways, and not quite hit the mark in some other areas. Is the XC40 Recharge a viable competitor to the Ford Mach E or Tesla Model Y? Answer: It depends.

Volvo provided the vehicle and insurance for this review.

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The Volvo XC40 Recharge Redefines Compact Luxury But Raises Some Questions - TheSmokingTire

[Armour]

The newest 2.9 OTA update, just released yesterday, now shows the range in the drivers display.

[MTreddevil]

Completely agree about the start button. I inspect these during lease end. I usually have the car running so I can have music and the AC blasting to cool off after the walk-around. Having the car keep turning off is very frustrating.

[_kowono]

Again, the car man on YouTube I most agree with!

Too often with EV's journalists concentrate on the bits that don't fit their car reviewing life, but the reality is most houses have more than one vehicle, can charge at home and only drive for an hour a day tops. Making an EV a very sensible option with few downsides when compared to a gas vehicle.

[MrBryn]

It's absolutely the best looking car in its category. Volvo have just been hitting it out of the park with styling this past decade

[nehtals]

There have been many OTA software updates since Kyle did his range test. They include drive train, range and charging optimisation

[wrxpilot]

Good review Matt and editing (Zack)! I’ve been curious about this one since my wife and I are considering an EV for her next car. The range is a dealbreaker, otherwise it seems like a great car.

Anyway, I was listening to your podcast when this popped up on my YT feed. I figured joining your Patreon is about due since I consume so much of your content! Stoked to have early access to the David Twohjg episode!

[Ze-Germanzuk]

What's with the double upload but two slightly different lengths videos?

[driver]

I have the gas version of the XC40 and I couldn’t be happier with it and it has been the perfect daily driver to town or work. The only reason I didn’t consider the recharge was on the off chance I take it on a trip I didn’t want to be constrained to charging. But I am happy mine has the pre google infotainment and happy with just CarPlay, pair that with a Amazon wireless adapter and it’s fine. I think as GM will soon find out that no CarPlay is a absolute deal breaker for a lot of people and if companies go down the google route and make CarPlay hard then they will find the similar challenges. It’s one thing to have your system powered by your phone, but to have google constantly connected as the main system, that’s a big no thanks for me.

[likethewords]

Love the style and frankness of this review format. Thank you 🙏

[terryorcutt]

Great and thorough video review, Matt. As the proliferation of EVs gets accelerated, it's nice having someone take the time to thoroughly assess where EVs are presently, what directions in design are ill-advised, day to day usage, etc. I know you said this video was a dog as far as views, but these will be increasingly important for those drivers on the fence a out EV purchases. Thank you for providing them!

[JimboJason]

I miss cloth seats. Thanks for the great review!

[gickneorge]

This one has an extra minute or so… I chose this one to watch. I feel like I’m getting some deleted scenes - or maybe I’m just unknowingly participating in a YouTube test!

[dbeckMSP]

one of the uploads probably doesn't have the ad

[Tones]

It’s really encouraging to see automakers move EVs downsize without necessarily being downmarket. Us city folks appreciate small vehicles for street parking, small garages, and tight driveways.

[JonathonBarton]

6:24 - Even if you're not on 2.9 OTA Update - if you're still on 2.7 - the info is in the Range Assistant application, which you can have as one of the four app 'slots' on the infotainment system...and you can still have your Navigation Display right in front of you, in between the gauges.
7:04 - OMG, I'm ded. =)
10:41 - You can 'turn the car on" remotely with the Volvo App on your phone - there's a "climate" preconditioning that runs for 10 minutes. Solves the same problem as a remote starter in a gas car - which is the only situation I can think of *even in a Gas Car* when you'd want to turn it on without physically sitting in it - and even then, it requires a remote starter. Without a remote starter installed, a LOT of gas cars with push button start have an occupancy sensor in the driver's seat that prevents you from leaning awkwardly in, reaching over the steering column finding the button blind, and pushing it. WAY easier to just get in, push to start, release the hood latch, then go do your thing.
This is a pretty nonsensical strawman edge-case nitpick, IMO.

*_Turning the car off, though?_*

- If you get out of the car, lock it, and walk away - the car turns off. No button necessary. You don't even have to put it in Park first. Since you're stopped, the brakes are already on, and when you walk away, the car will put itself in Park.
- Again, it's an edge case, and I don't know when you'd ever *actually* want to do this - and it happens so rarely that it makes sense that the option to turn the car off while you're sitting there in the driver's seta is a _little_ buried and inconvenient - but if you REALLY want to turn the car off and still sit there. Settings (Gear Icon) -> Control -> Last item in the list is "Turn Car Off" - it's all of three clicks and a single swipe away if you want it.

Honestly. No button necessary. They're not "following Tesla and Lucid down a rabbit hole" - The button was just a dumb interim solution to fill our psychological need for consistency (because boomers gon' boom) as we transitioned away from keys entirely... Remember that short period where there were cars that had an ignition key you inserted AND a start button?

[huwwilliams]

Always been a big fan of the ST. Must’ve watched and listened for 10 years? Keep doing the good work guys. I live on the Isle of Man and your friend chris Harris has just visited for the TT. I hope his collecting cars pod persuades you to visit next year. All the best guys.

[lynp]

Yes I also wish volvo didn't stop offering the plaid cloth interiro on the v60 and actually offered it on the v60 recharge ever.

[thenetworkarchitectchannel]

Volvo XC40 Recharge is my daily driver. I love the thing. I had a TV reporter interview me about NEVI-Compliant charging and when I dropped the hammer, she began giggling like she was seven. Tesla has chill mode. Volvo engineers forgot to add any concept of that and left it wide open. It is also able to be glamped in. I fold the back seats down and put in an air mattress. As far as EVs go, the Android Auto is IMHO best in class for SoC destination estimation. It is one of the few that correctly estimates the effects on an EV from changes in elevations. If your goal is an EV that eaks out every ounce of efficiency, look elsewhere. If you want a comfortable, fun to drive, EV with a lux look & feel, I have to say this is an underrepresented option. As far as range goes, if you say 60 miles in an hr avg for highway, then 180 is three hrs. I am fine with the 240 I get. Every 3 hrs. I would prob stop anyway for bio breaks or stretching my legs. I agree the EV info is lacking. That seems to be the trend with higher end cars. We just got a Cadillac Lyriq and it too is the same way. I think the thought is too much info gets confusing so they leave it simple as a percent of full. Thx for the vid. I enjoyed watching.

[BelviGER]

Drove the xc40 recharge a while ago and didnt do any checking before - thought it was your typical 130hp electric commuter. That was quite the surprise

But its just soooo expensive for its size

[pjgreenleaf]

Another great video! Really like way smoking tire has been going stylistically lately. I just wish youtube would actually notify me or put the new videos on my home screen instead of forcing me to search for TST every time. And yes I am subscribed with notifications so life just doesn't make sense these days.