2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge

Test Drive Notes Library

Pros
A better version of the XC40. The battery actually improves the XC40. This is Volvo’s cheapest, smallest car, and it's also available with an internal combustion engine. The weight of the battery actually gives it some needed heft, and lends it a more substantial, planted feel on the road. The elimination of the XC40’s coarse gasoline engine noise is just icing on the Prinsesstarta, as they say in Sweden.
The usual battery attributes. Like most battery electrics, the XC40 Recharge is quieter than its ICE sibling. It has a lower center of gravity. It has much better acceleration. And you'll never have to stop at a gas station again unless you’re low on peanut M&Ms. Our “Twin Ultimate” trim came with front and rear electric motors, offering 402 horsepower, enough to make a Dodge Charger owner search Amazon for an upgraded codpiece. Volvo says you can get 223 miles of range. Expect somewhat less. That’s below the current standard of 250-plus that we’re seeing from Kia and Hyundai and others, but not bad.
Reasonable comfort. Around town and on the highway, the XC40 is steady and solid. As long as you’re not pushing it into any sporty situation, the XC40 is well behaved and easy to drive and enjoy. The suspension leans toward firm, in Volvo style, but comfortably firm.
Looks. The XC40 is a handsome little crossover. It’s squared off, and despite competing with a thousand other similarly sized crossovers, it looks distinctive. We like it. Inside, it looks like a modern Volvo, with classy metal trim and a clean, airy (hmm, Scandinavian?) feel. The interior is thoughtfully designed, with nice touches, and clever storage bins. Extra points for a nice, big volume knob.
Packaging. The squared off shape provides several benefits. Visibility, with the upright windshield, is quite good up front and out the front sides. Surprisingly, it’s also good straight out the back window. That’s unusual these days. Rear three-quarter visibility, as with most compact crossovers, is terrible, ameliorated by the standard, birds-eye-view camera for parking, and a good blind spot monitoring system with nice, bright warning signals in the side view mirrors. The shape also provides the XC40 with easy access to the rear seats, good rear headroom and a very useable, easy to load cargo compartment.
Electronic safety. The XC40 comes standard with all the stuff you want in 2022, with the exception of a head up display.
Built in Google Maps. It’s about time that a manufacturer decided to do this. Google Maps is built into the Volvo’s navigation system. Since it’s better, more up to the minute, and easier to use than any manufacturer’s own navigation system, it’s a real plus for the Volvo.

Cons
Curves. When driving the XC40 around town, it handles well and feels comfortable. Push it at all, like on curvy roads at moderate speeds, and XC40 starts to lean, as if the suspension can’t quite handle the added weight. The numb and vague steering also makes it feel like you’re working hard to drive the XC40 on moderate speed curves.
Price. This is Volvo’s cheapest car. Volvo’s best seats, which are some of the finest in the business, don’t make it into the XC40, where the front seats are fine, but not what you get in the XC60 and up. Rear seats are low, flat, and short on thigh support. There’s no head up display. There’s a decent amount of visible plastic inside. Granted, it has all the extras you want. But still, our test car rang the bell at $60,000. Even with a $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs, you’re still paying a premium for the Volvo name and style, and skipping over some more up to date and better performing EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Mustang Mach-E.
Screen interface. It looks beautiful. Give Volvo that. The vertically oriented screen is divided into four horizontal stacks (navigation, communication, etc.). From there, it gets a little more confusing, with multiple levels to get to things you need, and a confusing submenu layout. It’s useable, but not as intuitive as the best interfaces.