Used 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 XC40 Recharge, so we've included reviews for other years of the XC40 Recharge since its last redesign.
Volvo XC40 Recharge - typical "Volvo Unreliable"
JohnK, 06/17/2021
updated 08/23/2021
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
90 of 94 people found this review helpful
My Volvo XC40 Recharge had multiple issues, just 2 days after taking delivery of the XC40 Recharge center console crashed and reset to factory default, and lost navigation display in driver side. Even after a few visits to Volvo dealer, issues are not fully resolved. After dealer fixed the driver navigation display issue, the car is stuck in the “guest profile”, I am unable to login to Google account. At this point, your dealer is unable to fix the issue properly and whole is very frustrating that nothing really works properly. Volvo Mobile app on this car is simply terrible. If you click on the Demo mode on the mobile app you can't get out of that demo mode. And you can't simply reconnect either- simply awful. Looks like some high school dropout wrote the mobile app. And also, you have to set the privacy setting to fork over all car data to Google before anything works properly- Charge level won't show unless you set the privacy setting open to all your data to Google and Volvo. I heard about this about Volvo, but, good grief this very frustrating that your dealer can't properly fix the issues.This is my first Volvo and probably my last! I had similar frustrating experience my Tesla Model 3 with leaky tail lights and leaky roof, but at least Tesla actually fix the issue. Not the Volvo, can't seem to figure it what is wrong with the car. Update: At ~80 miles infotainment system got stuck in reloading screen and got reset to factory default and lost driver side navigation view. At~120 miles stuck in “Guest profile” and requires full reload of Software- dealer couldn’t even fix this repairs without help from Volvo USA. At ~580 miles AC stopped working in middle of 95 degree weather. At~640 miles, looks like June update happen to car and YouTube music and few other apps stop working. At ~720 miles, car reboot itself awhile driving to Volvo dealer to fix other issues. This cannot be safe to drive. More update: At ~1140 miles shut down and restarted in middle of driving again. At ~1500 miles shut down again. At ~1800 miles charging port stuck in Green. At ~2220 miles dealer finally replace IHU, AC issue is not fixed. Volvo think that replacing IHU will fix the Air Condition. At ~2250 miles same day that IHU was replaced infotainment system reboot again. Yes, Volvo is fully aware of Air Condition issues with compressor on Volvo XC 40 Recharge- they are not sure how to fix it and also part that required fix is out of stock for next 6 months.
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Poor reliability and efficiency; worse support
E.H., 06/23/2021
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
68 of 71 people found this review helpful
I fell in love with this car when I test drove it. It's snappy and fun, it's quiet, and it looks great. Then I bought it, and everything went to hell. There were electrical problems every day I owned it. The glass spontaneously shattered (nothing hit it) and covered us in sharp fragments and nearly caused a deadly accident. Volvo's Roadside Assistance refused to respond (told me to call insurance), and their Support could not be bothered to help. The Volvo of Tacoma GM suggested I write up the entire experience and submit it to the Volvo corporate office, which I did in full detail. It was sent early in the work day, and they promised a response in 2 hours. I didn't hear back until the following day, and what I received was a formulaic response that asked me to re-type all the details I had just sent them. Either they had not bothered to read it, or Volvo has their Support people burden their customers so that they give up and go away. So after less than three months as a first-time Volvo customer, I am going away. I am paying the price to sell this rubbish so that I can buy something from a company that actually cares about its build quality, reliability, and support.
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2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge for sale near you
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Take my Volvo, please
L C, 11/27/2021
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
34 of 35 people found this review helpful
Do your research! Do your research! Do your research! Same issue as review I just read, center console computer went out on my maiden voyage home from the dealership. Took almost 2 weeks to secure a loaner just to have it looked at. After 2 days I picked it up and the console went out on the way home and 3 more times before I could get back to the dealer the same day. They loaner I got was the same make, model and color -- all electric. 3 days later the rear brakes locked up (according to the manual, these are proprietary and can only be serviced by Volvo, great another red flag). There's more but I won't bore you, the wind up is that it took almost a month to fix it. 4 weeks ago, in the middle of this month of no car, I contacted Volvo requesting a full refund. They've been dragging it out hoping I lose interest. One more complaint, I was promised by the dealer as well as in a Volvo ad that I'd receive a home charging unit for free, nearly two months later it's still a no-show. Do your research!
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86k and happy!
Jak, 11/08/2022
updated 05/09/2024
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
20 of 20 people found this review helpful
Figured we have a bunch of miles more than the average user so wanted to share that we’ve had a very good experience. Not to discount troubles others have had, we just have not had them and have over 86k miles in both warm summer and MN winter driving. Your experience may differ and a warranty may make sense. So far so good here, and love driving this car! As an update we changed tires at 55k, the continental tires from factory were probably only good for 45-50k and went from great to garbage very quick at end of life; we waited a bit too long to do that. Rear tires wore more heavily than front. We went with Michelin cross climate2’s on this round and will update how that goes, so far very similar noise and handling to the factory tires. The infotainment system has one or two bad days that require a restart and then seems fine. Seems to be around software update times, but nothing consistent or persistent. Normally works beautiful and has all the features needed, despite the mobile app lacking some of the functions that would be nice (like changing charge limit from phone while on a charger ). If you need more range then there might be better options, we push the limits of that some days but the consistency and quality are hard to beat so far. Only 1 warranty repair so far and received a complimentary 40k service. So far so good. ***Update, over 70k and only very intermittent issues with needing to turn off and restart the infotainment (probably 5 times in life of vehicle). Volvo dealer analyzed the battery and there was only a 2% reduction in capacity. Very consistent with the Tesla data on 200k + vehicles (https://www.motortrend.com/news/tesla-model-s-x-battery-health-over-time/) ... so shouldn't see any more memes... ***Update 2, Had to resurface front rotors at 75k. Pads had lots of life so resurfaced and kept them on. Will need to do rears in coming 10-15k. This might have to do with doing some driving on gravel somewhat frequently. Very normal if not above average wear and tear. Continues to be a great vehicle.
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xc40 recharge electronics buggy
Lynn R, 08/26/2021
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
25 of 26 people found this review helpful
Volvo has not figured out why I can't get connection to on call to work..2 days in service so far and multiple calls to Volvo USA. The console periodically needs reset or Maps stops working. Modem only reads AT &T and my account does not connect to Volvo..so no metrics or alerts. You need it to know when charged or if charging. Nobody is properly trained or helpful..the car was rolled out without testing. The Swedish pride is gone..instead you have Chinese rigging. I regret buying this car . should have bought Tesla Y
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Wonderful mechanically. Shameful Electronics
Cleo Rodney, 06/19/2021
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
52 of 56 people found this review helpful
Bought the vehicle 2 weeks ago, fully optioned. Silver color. Looks wonderful, drives beautifully- comfortable fast and responsive. So 5 stars to Volvo for the basic mechanical design and build. But electric cars in particular are supposed to showcase the latest in IT linked enhancements. Being fitted with "native Google"we assumed that the infotainment component would come close to matching Tesla. And maybe it could, but with hands-down the most useless manual (paper and on line) of any car I have ever driven, a user interface that is tersely obtuse to the point of incomprehensibility, and a system instability that requires frequent resets, it is impossible to actually get the car to perform as the advertisements claim. Volvo USA don't appear to have invested in dealer training, or if they have the money has been squandered, since neither the dealer reps nor the "OnCall Help" staff have a clue either. Maybe Volvo did the design and Geely the programming and UI, but something somewhere has gone badly awry and the car is simply not fit for purpose.
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daily problems
Glenn Crighton, 09/01/2021
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
23 of 24 people found this review helpful
I like the car and its performance but when I get in to drive somewhere I am so nervous waiting for the daily problem to crop up - what will it be today. The problems vary - AC not working, GPS not working, Drivers assist not working , not connecting to internet , maps quit working, display does a reset as I am driving, backup camera quit working, lost all account data so had to spend hours resetting accounts, crappy advise from Volvo on call, Volvo cars does not work
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$60k of cheap EV
Tony, 07/07/2021
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
20 of 22 people found this review helpful
Drive fast, this is only good thing but with only 150 miles range at summer. Infotainment is junk, nothing works or able to connect cell phones. don't mentioned cell phone apps " on call ", its not working at all since day one, I am totally regretted for buying this car !
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It’s almost a great car.
SavyCarGirl, 07/15/2023
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
A short disclosure I have driven every electric vehicle on the market to date and this is the one that I did choose. A short disclosure I have driven every electric vehicle on the market to date and this is the one that I did choose. My favorite was the MINI Cooper EV, but it did not have the range and space that I needed so this was second best. To start with the positives, this car is grossly overpowered, which is nice. Just be aware when the first time you press your gas paddle because it’s sensitive with a quick response. The seats are very comfortable for the front; I cannot review the backseats because I have not sat in them for long periods. The front seats and the back seats have an option for heat which is nice. Now if you are 5’4” or shorter, you might have some problems with trying to move your s visor from the forward position to the side position to block the sun. It is just not possible without moving the seat back. The backseats are stationary positions which moving from a MINI Cooper countryman was a little disappointing to see. The backseats also only can split in two ways versus the MINI Cooper countrymen's three-way split. Regarding the backseats, it's a little disappointing that you cannot adjust the headrest so it can make it cumbersome whenever you have a high back front-facing car seat. This is something I will keep in mind when you have children. I was a little surprised by this since I feel Volvo is a very family-oriented company. I think this was an oversight on their end. The interior option is good for high-heat areas because the seats don't get too hot with the materials that they choose. The design on the inside is a little underwhelming, but the seats are comfortable. The frunk has a decent amount of space to fit a charger cable or a few knickknacks and is easy to access. The visibility of this vehicle is wonderful and there are almost no blind spots, especially with the 360 mirrors. The center console compartment I think could have better space management options, but it seems like there are a lot of mods you can purchase after market. The charger that it comes with is quite impressive because it gives you different options on how to plug in to get a higher voltage pull or have it in a classic household plug for a long-term charge. It's nice that you can do a one-pedal drive system. You don’t even have to touch your brakes when you’re using this. The regeneration power of this vehicle is intense. The only downside is you have to go into settings to switch from that to the classic coasting of a normal car setting if you’re driving through the highways. So it just seems to be best to have it on one pedal drive unless you’re planning on taking a long road trip. The way I would compare this center console screen technology to some of the other vehicles that are offered is this is the Apple phone versus our Android which has customizable features. The technology screen is what you see is what you get. I like that personally. I prefer something that doesn’t keep my eyes off the road and have to figure out how to make everything work. It’s more plug-and-play or should I say plug-and-drive. I do like how it has over-the-air updates, which is very nice. I think in the United States, we are still waiting for a lot of updates to come out that Europe already has. If you’re willing to have patience, this might be a good car for you. In the hatch area, it is a two-level compartment. the top level has a decent amount of room, but I still feel like it in some ways. It is less than the MINI Cooper countryman, despite the specs saying differently. It has a nice feature where there’s a handle that you can lift and fold to get to the second compartment, which has about a foot of depth space. There’s probably about 4’ x 3’ of space in this area in length. this is nice to put flatter smaller items. There’s also the benefit of where you can kick under the hatch to open it hands-free. this is a piece of technology that I have never mastered. I've had it in previous vehicles, and I have always struggled to get it to activate. I think once you learn it, you can get it done quite easily. I love the visibility of the screen in the center console. It's very crisp and clear in the 360. Cameras are very nice and come on even when you're going through the drive-through or a tight area. This is a very handy feature, whenever you wanna avoid curbs. it has plenty of automation that makes it a self-driving vehicle when you have a cruise control assist activated with the lane assist. I find that the alerts and notifications that this vehicle offers are very soft and subtle versus some other vehicles, which are more aggressive. If you start to veer out of your lane, you get a soft vibration with a correction that is easily able to be overridden if you need it to be. I found with the Hyundai Genesis that it was quite strenuous to override that feature while it was active. The front odometer's speed/regen reading is unique. you only have two options for the middle of that screen. You could have Google Maps open on it or you could have it blank which leaves a large empty black void. Some notifications can pop up in this location. hope that we get better updates and more options for that center area. I feel like it's not utilized as well as it should be compared to the Volkswagen ID4. I think there are still a lot of little tech glitches in this vehicle but like I said before I hope that they’ll get resolved with over-air updates soon. I think the most annoying point is that you have to reset your tire pressure often depending on the barometric pressure and temperature but this is just like the Volkswagen also. I am sure they have the same technology. This is a complaint that both have. Overall, I think this is the easiest electric vehicle to walk into not knowing much about EV life. I just can’t emphasize enough how you have to have patience because I feel like technology is this list thing for all of the EVs to receive updates on in the States compared to Europe. I think my last comment that was a huge sewing point for this vehicle was the fact that had a panoramic roof that still had a sunroof that would open alongside the fact that it had a sunshade that would open and close. I think this is something very crucial whenever you live in a higher heat area or have children who necessarily don't want to have the sun on them all day long. It makes for a more comfortable drive. These are all the observations I have had after owning it for 48 hours of driving. I am sure I will learn more things as I have opportunities to take it on road trips, and other explorations. If this is a car, you choose, I highly recommend you download the PlugShare app and ABRP to help you plan your routes and know what areas to charge if you’re not charging at home and you’re on a trip where you don’t have the range. to help you plan your routes and know what areas to charge if you’re not charging at home and you’re on a trip or you don’t have the range both of these help you design The best route for you to get to the locations you’re trying to get to the best route for you to get to the locations you’re trying to get to.
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Love the car, hate the first model year issues
BeckyC, 03/06/2023
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
This is my second XC40, the first being the first model year gasoline version. Love them both but I did not have the first-model-year issues with the gas version that I'm having with the electric. It is every bit as fun, sporty, etc. as the gas version but have had challenges with the infotainment center. I didn't even make it home from picking it up (after waiting a year for it to be built) and the infotainment center died. After 3 weeks I got the car back and loved it for almost 2 years (still under 7,000 miles on the odometer) and the infotainment had hard faults and had to be replaced again. If it weren't for the significant drop in confidence in the durability of the vehicle I would keep it until they develop longer range batteries. With the infotainment center issue (that would cost a small fortune if it weren't under warranty) I will not keep the car beyond the warranty. I love the style, pep, drive, and everything else about the car so am almost positive I will get a newer model of the same, which speaks to just how much I enjoy the car. I don't drive that much or take long trips so the range isn't a significant issue for me but can definitely see how it would be for those that do drive quite a bit. If you can get past the range, the XC40 (gasoline or Recharge version) in general, is an awesome car and I absolutely recommend either one, just not the first model year of the Recharge.
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Best car purchase ever!
shk, 02/07/2024
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
Three years, 30,000 miles, and still loving this car. I had one of the first deliveries in spring 2021, ordered in late 2020. Meanwhile, I test-drove the few brands of EV available locally back then: Tesla's Model Y, BMW i3, Audi Etron, Ford Mustang - far and away, the dealer's xc40 demo was the most pleasant to drive due most noticeably to visibility and handling. But there are also just subtle aspects like lane-centering behaviors. Having a 2nd navigation screen in front of the steering wheel is far more convenient when compared to many other brands having the map on the center screen - there's also no conflict between the driver needing the navigation and the passenger wanting to control climate or adjust the media settings. Our car had some software quirks early on but those have been ironed out with software updates since. We have had a number of volvos: 2017 all-gas xc60, 2000 xc, 1996 850, and 1979 242, but this is the most satisfying of the lot - smooth, quiet, and reliable. Every morning, it's all charged up and ready to go. Have driven it on several multiday road trips and in ice and snow. Certainly, I would prefer a greater range on the road trips. If you do a lot of those, then this probably is not the car for you: one thing to remember is that the rated range on an EV is for 100% charge and discharge. On road trips, you'd rarely charge more than about 80% on the road because charging slows down as the battery gets full; and it's not recommended to discharge to below 10%. So, you have to take that range and multiply by 70% -- an ~220 mi range (it depends) becomes 154 miles per charge while on the road in practice. So at 75 mph, you'd charge at least every 2 hours & more frequently if charge stations aren't perfectly spaced along your route. Other than that, I highly recommend this car!
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New to Electric cars
New to electric cars, 03/15/2021
updated 03/16/2022
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
23 of 26 people found this review helpful
My last car was a 2012 Mercedes GLK 350. I liked the body style so was looking for something similar. I don’t like the Tesla egg shape. As I was looking for a new car, the XC40 caught my eye because of the body style. I was not looking at the recharge at first but I liked the sage green metallic color. Only the recharge comes in this color. I’ve had my car for a month now. I love the way it drives. Takes off and drives very smooth. The second day I had my car the service light came on for the coolant system so I had to take it in for service. The thing about this car is that it is so new that there are not many service techs available to work on it so it took 4 days to get my car back. And the service people are also still learning about the car so they don’t have really any answers. They leaked tested the coolant system and refilled it and the problem went away but didn’t know why it was low in fluid when I had only had the car for 2 days. For a small SUV it is quite roomy. I also like that it does not have a lot of buttons on the dashboard. Very sleek and simple. Since I haven’t had a new car since 2012 I am not used to the automated infotainment system. I’m not tech savvy. Need to take some time to figure it out. The heated seats and steering wheel option is operated on the infotainment screen and the buttons are tiny so hard to select at times. Sometimes the speedometer jumps from mph to kilometers. Could be user error. Yesterday my service light came on again and showed my SOS system is not functioning so needs service but at this point I do not wish to take my car back in for service again. I’m not sure if it’s because of Covid but the maintenance department hours are limited compared to other car companies. Also, Volvo maintenance dept are a lot smaller and not as many locations to choose from versus other cars like Mercedes. Charging points is also somewhat of a pain but I had a 220V plug installed in my garage and charging overnight will charge to full. I tried it with 110V and charged 12 hours and just got 20%. I have not gone on any long trips but I suppose that would take some planning if I have to stop to recharge. Overall I really like my car. Just find the electronics a bit of a pain. Still need to figure out all the functions as well. So far the issues I had are more of a nuisance than any reason that would keep me from purchasing the car. Let’s see how my long term experience pans out. Update: I’ve had my car for a year now. I did have to take it in a few times for issues with the infotainment. But the last 7 months have been smooth sailing. Haven’t had an issue (fingers crossed). Otherwise, if you have long commute this car is not for you. My daily commute is 10 miles and I charge every 4 days.
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Electric Slide
MS_P, 10/11/2022
updated 04/15/2024
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
The volvo recharge is hands down a awesome ride!! The interior control panel, nav and controls are thoughtfully placed for maximum comfort. The seats are superior to all other (BMW, Lincoln, Mercedes) I have owned, it is such a smooth ride, quite, great acceleration, handles the road well and has a great driver feel...you drive without effort but there is no lose feel, somewhere between luxury and sport fell to driver experience. Economical. Down side, the range is not as good as a gas driven vehicle. Update: after two years I can say with confidence that this is a hassle free solid ride, no maintenance costs to date and still loving it!
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Car controls are a breeze
Brendon in Minnesota, 07/27/2023
2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge Plus 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Having read the horror stories about the electronics crashing I was super worried; it was one reason I chose to lease for the first time. The user interface is EASY and completely glitch-free (so far)! I loved my 2010 RAV4, and wanted the new vehicle for my commute to work and for the weekly trips to Menards and the yard-waste collection site. This car is a huge step up from a RAV in terms of power and comfort, while matching the RAV's functionality. I had a trailer hitch installed and find the roof rack system useful.
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A Great Ride, electronics are an issue for some.
Walter, 07/11/2021
updated 06/03/2022
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
27 of 32 people found this review helpful
I purchased a Volvo XC 40 recharge. It had five complete power failures with an inability to start. It was flat bed towed five times to my Volvo dealership. I sent two certified letters and multiple emails to Volvo USA requesting a contact to help resolve the issue. I received no responses other than emails saying that the matter was being looked into. Multiple calls and emails resulted in no direct communication. The service did not assist in loaners or any form of alternative transportation. The car was not reliable and failed to start. Even after a trickle charge was installed, a complete power failure occured. The service rep replaced the TCAM, software updates, firmware updates, and the car was in service over five times in one year. The car still failed to start. Avoid this car. There are people report that the car is reliable. But, there are multiple postings that this car has a gremlin that Volvo cannot fix. And, the customer service is terrible. You will never get anyone to contact you and discuss the issues. I have had five EV cars. From BMW, Nissan, Tesla and Audi. The Volvo is the one to avoid.
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Shockingly good EV
TW, 02/22/2021
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
48 of 59 people found this review helpful
We’ve had our Volvo XC40 Recharge for about 6 weeks. I expect that many of you considering this car have never owned an EV before, it was our first, too. I’ll cover the car itself and also touch on EV ownership. To cut to the chase, I really love this car and I am enjoying driving electric. Driving this car always puts a smile on my face. With 400+ horsepower, this is very fast for an SUV. The XC40 Recharge feels effortless accelerating from any speed. The other great thing about an EV is that there is no transmission and no gears so when you hit the gas to accelerate, there is no lag waiting for the transmission to downshift, it just takes off. And with an electric drivetrain there is no engine noise at all. With the battery below you, most of the weight is really low so there is no body roll when going through corners. It’s an awesome driving experience. Looks are subjective but I appreciate the understated Swedish design of the XC40 Recharge. In my opinion, it’s one of those few vehicles that looks great from any angle. Our vehicle is an R-Design as it seems that all of the Recharges headed for the US as at the moment. For its class, the interior is quite good. There’s probably a bit more hard plastic than I would like but that’s nitpicking. I am 6’2” and have a big build. I don’t fit well in most European cars as most have sports seats which frankly I just don’t fit in. I have plenty of room in the XC40 and I’ve climbed in the back and I am comfortable there too. Trunk space is decent and more than adequate to haul groceries for a family of 5. Bottom line, while it is a small SUV, it doesn’t really feel that way inside. The XC40 Recharge infotainment runs Android. This isn’t just Android Auto, it actually is Android. This really makes things like voice commands work well. Every other car I’ve had, voice commands are frustrating and I never end up using them. In this car it works great as it leverages Android’s voice capability. Just say, Hey Google and whatever you want and it figures it out. Which brings me to the other advantage of Android, Google Maps. The car’s nav runs real honest to goodness Google Maps and works just as well as on your phone. It will find and insert charging stops into your journey if you exceed the range of your car. Apps can be downloaded from Android Play to stream music and other types of entertainment. To set expectations, there are only a handful of apps right now as Volvo and Polestar are the first cars to run Android natively. I expect more apps to show up if other manufacturers jump on the Android bandwagon. So let’s talk about owning an EV now. It seems that concerns over range are the primary worries about people considering an EV. I was concerned too but I am over it now. My advice, if you own your own home, have a 50 amp circuit installed in your garage. This will allow you to charge your car from empty to full overnight (about 8 hours if you were truly at 0% charge). Home charging allows you to come out to a fully charged car every day. For us, we don’t take long trips that often and when we do, we will just let Google Maps plan out the stops. I think many under-estimate how nice home charging is. Just plug in when you pull in the garage for the night and unplug in the morning. While I am on the topic, the stated range from Volvo is 208 miles. In the last 6 weeks, I would say that is very reasonable. We’ve had a few longer drives where our consumption would put the range as high as 240 miles. At highway speeds (70-80mph) and low temps you may be below the stated range. I would say expect anywhere from 170 - 240 miles per change depending on conditions, speed and frankly how much lead is in your foot. On price, entry point is about $53k with many hitting dealer lots in the $58k range. That’s not cheap for a small SUV. It represents about a $10k uplift over the XC40 T5 R-Design. This vehicle does qualify for the federal $7500 credit and you may have other state credits, too. Factoring in the tax credit, is this worth a $2500 uplift over the T5? Absolutely, without question. It’s (lots) faster, quieter, smoother and costs less to operate. Be aware though, you only get the credit if you buy instead of lease. Before buying the Volvo we drove a Tesla model 3. I felt the Tesla was a bit unrefined. It rattled over rough pavement and both my wife and I found the seats uncomfortable. That said, Tesla is ahead on efficiency (better MPGe) and Tesla’s autonomous driving tech is second to none. If those are more important to you, I encourage you to give Tesla a look. We went with a Volvo because it felt more like a luxury vehicle and had a more traditional car configuration (there is a drivers instrument panel!). I love pretty much everything about this car. After owning an EV, I also doubt I’ll ever go gas again. If you are looking for a nice alternative to Tesla, give the XC40 Recharge a try.
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Love it!
George Wood, 02/12/2022
updated 02/20/2025
2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge Ultimate 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
A great SUV for short trips, 2 people and a dog, around town use. Very comfortable, will seat 4 adults readily. Extremely good acceleration, timed recharge make recharging after midnight easy. I said short trips. That is about 100 mile radius because range is just over 200 miles. I find storage adequate, but my 2020 Honda CRV had a bit more storage, which made handling my walker a little easier. My wife, myself and our dog can easily handle all items needed for a weekend trip to a vacation condo about 50 miles one way away. I love all the gadgets in the Ultimate trim, and use most of them. Am beginning to learn about “Hey Google” but have not had a lot of use for it yet. All my recharges so far have been on my home charger, so, don’t know how the public chargers work. All in all, I am delighted with the XC40 Recharge Ultimate and would buy it again. GHWood. [contact info removed]
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This EV hits the sweet spot.
Lew, 07/07/2023
updated 01/11/2024
2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge Ultimate 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
We have had this car for 3 weeks, and love it. We have had none of the problems the others have had with the electronics. The "Hey, Google" voice control is great. Our other two cars are gas-powered BMW's, one more of a sports car than this and one more luxurious than this. Still, the Recharge hits its own sweet spot, quiet, comfortable, and practical, so that both my wife and I love driving it. I watched a YouTube video from England, comparing a Tesla 3, the XC 40 Recharge, and a car that we don't get here, a BMW X1 EV. Tesla was considered to be in 1st place for the electric part of EV but third place for the vehicle part--things like seats and ride. The BMW was faster and more spacious than the Volvo and was the 1st choice of two reviewers, while the third reviewer said that for himself, he would choose the Volvo. He didn't need the slightly greater speed or space, and he liked driving around in the Volvo the most. That is the way that we feel--this car hits a sweet spot. If you are in the market, you should give this a try.
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Love the car - but no AM radio
Bob, 06/07/2021
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
11 of 13 people found this review helpful
I've had the XC40 Recharge for two weeks now and I love it. Quick, smooth and easy to drive. I take a canyon to work and it handles the curves easily. The lower than expected center of gravity because of the batteries is really nice. I have mine set for one pedal drive (taking my foot off the "gas" automatically applies recharge braking), which really saves on battery usage, and my car came with adaptive cruise control which also saves the battery on the freeway. My only gripe is, no AM radio, it does have FM (but not HD FM). The car has several Android radio apps, so you can listen to the local news, but you sometimes get other city commercials. Living in Los Angeles we heard San Francisco advertisements, which was kind of funny. When I bought the car, I had to sign a paper that said that the Apple Car Play isn't available yet. Apple Car Play is expected towards the end of 2021. That being said, the Google operating system still works great. Bluetooth sync'd with my phone and pulled all my phone numbers, favorites and all my saved locations from Google Maps, which was a real timesaver. The only thing I miss right now is having the phone read me my texts and the ability to respond to them. Our local power company does have options to save on electricity, but I can charge for free at work and it might not be worth the hassle to set up at home. I am still going to have a 240 volt plug installed because it's much faster than being plugged into a wall outlet. I'm thinking of replacing my wifes XC60 in a few years, with an electric version if it's available.
2.5 years of ownership. Still loving it.
Steve, 08/21/2021
updated 08/29/2024
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
18 of 23 people found this review helpful
I’ve owned and driven countless cars in my 48 years of driving, personal vehicles, company cars, rentals, many muscle cars, but the XC40 recharge purchased 2.5 years ago is the most exciting and fun car I have ever experienced. It is fantastic and I can’t find fault with it. It is deceptively and thrillingly fast, super quiet on the road, feels as solid and safe as a small tank. Has no rattles or squeaks whatsoever and the Harmon Karmon audio system is very, very nice. For a small SUV my wife and I do not feel cramped in it, my Golden Retriever fits in the back without having to lay the seats down. It charges easily and mine came with a home charger I had installed and my power company gave me a credit for doing it. Who would believe that would happen? I use this car for local trips around town and it suits the role perfectly. One pedal driving is the only way to go and not even having to push a start button to go is incredible. Last year I bought a Toyota Venza for long highway drives so Volvo range was never an issue for me. However, I am already considering changing the Venza over to something electric in a couple of years when all EVs battery range will surely improve. For now, 208 mile range is fine, especially considering the excitement of driving this amazing machine.
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Unreliability combines with inefficiency
former Volvo fan, 01/08/2023
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2022 XC40 recharge because fo nice packaging and reputation for sound engineering. Sadly I was wrong: 1. Energy effficenciwy is very poor averaging 400 Wh/mi, more than 50% above my Model S. 2. Parking brakes stick whenever can stand more than 24 hr, 3. Main brakes shudder badly unless used daily, a poor choice when regenerative braking is much preferable. 4. 12 V battery failed without warning, blocking any vehicle access. 5. Google maps works very well, but index of available chnarging stations does not. 6. Sensors for vehicle position work poorly with phantom awnings and compete absence of warning at other times. Overall this car has been the worst I have owned. Due to all the problems I have stopped any attempt at regular use and am now searching for a replacement, certainly taking a large loss in the process. The worst fo all, is the absence of competent service and online diagnostics, making all problems into a service visit.
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Worst car.
Joshua , 06/03/2023
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
I’ve had my 21 Volvo recharge for 8 months and it’s been in the shop for 5 of those months. Even the entire battery was fully replaced after a few months. Worst car I’ve ever driven.
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Electrons, Ho!
Rixreview, 12/30/2022
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I was able to purchase one of the first Volvo fully electric cars in SC- had to order it 6 months prior to delivery. Happy with the ordering and delivery process though a little frustrating at first. Wonderful new car- typical Volvo tight build and attention to detail. Car has an amazing amount of software built in- updates have been smooth and helpful. Car handles like a dream- fast acceleration and great handling. I have a level 2 charger in my garage so keeping it charged is no issue. My only complaint is range- which is about 218 miles per 100% charge. That being said, it is impossible to run out of charge- the car begins to alert me at 20% and becomes more strident as the battery percentage decreases. The Fast charging network is slow to expand- Hopefully Tesla will invite us in to avail ourselves of the Supercharger network- otherwise if I am on the road charging is combined with a lunch break!!
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Expensive paperweight
Cmuro, 07/06/2022
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
I have had the car since October 2021, and have regretted my purchase ever since. The car is beautiful and when it works it drives so smoothly, this is where they get you at the dealership. The battery life on this car is laughable with it providing maybe 60 miles per complete charge. But that is not even the worse part, I have to go into the dealership roughly once ever two weeks for some type of computer issue, and have been towed 4 times since owning this car. The computer issues have been: locking me out completely from the car as it doesn't recognize the keys, navigation system that will go complete black to it just continuously saying re-route on a loop for over 5 minutes, not allowing us to close the back hatch despite no obstructions, constant low pressure tire sensors going off and not changing when adding air to tires. On top of all that I have had to have 3 tires completely replaced on the car as they keep bursting - once while driving. I drive this car like a grandma and avoid all potholes due to previous tires issues, yet the tire issues just keep on coming. The dealership has no explanation for any of the above and say they just have to look into it and that tire issues are "normal" for any car. Run away from this car as fast as possible, if not get used to running as you will never be able to actually drive this car for any given period of time and will need to run to get to your destination instead.
Perfect
KGM, 07/30/2021
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
12 of 18 people found this review helpful
Three months in, we could not be more pleased with this car. We just took it in an extended road trip to a remote(ish) area, and we were able to map out our travel with appropriate charging stops with great success. This vehicle is extremely comfortable, the controls are easy to navigate, the drive is beyond smooth, the acceleration is incredible, the storage is sufficient, the style is refined, the sound system is fantastic. It makes even the smallest trip a total joy.
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After many software updates, finally ready
Compy, 07/09/2021
updated 07/13/2023
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
10 of 15 people found this review helpful
Bad enough that this car infotainment system does not have all the functions they advertise are available, but during the buying process, the staff never mentioned the system is half baked, and that it will be a while before it is SUPPOSED to be ready. The staff at Volvo Cars of Orange County knows nothing about the system either. They set me up with a button pusher to show me how it works, but knew nothing, thus the nickname "button pusher". DO NOT BUY THIS AUTO. Even the so-called experts on their 800 number are no help at all !!! UPDATE; read the title.
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drives great!
Lynn R, 07/27/2021
updated 02/03/2022
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
8 of 12 people found this review helpful
The car drives great, but has a few software bugs. Infotainment system can require reset from time to time. App is not really as good as prior sensus system on the g as version but Google commands are cool. Car is like a regular car because it has a dash. Sits higher than a Tesla so more comfortable to drive. Volvo is useless. Customer sservice is untrained and not knowledgeable. Better info on Blog and Facebook sites
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Outstanding All Around Great EV
Steve Hieatt, 10/12/2021
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
7 of 11 people found this review helpful
The XC40 P8 is a fantastically designed EV - inside and out. Great looking, well built, outstanding safety design and features, superb performance, very roomy for a small SUV. The only issue with this model - as noted by others - is that the new Google-driven infotainment system was not ready for prime time. Some features - CarPlay, USB streaming - aren’t even available until future software updates. SiriusXM just became available with October update. Have had minor issues with maps and connecting to Volvo OnCall app. BUT the bugs are getting worked out and overall the new system will end up being a big step forward. I would take the low ratings based on infotainment issues with a grain of salt. This is a fantastic EV.
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If James Bond was a soccer dad …
Robert G. , 07/17/2021
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
8 of 13 people found this review helpful
I love this car — it is easily the coolest, safest, easiest, and fastest car I’ve ever experienced. A few other EVs (and even fewer fossils) might edge it out in torque, pickup, or handling — but you won’t notice the difference in ordinary driving conditions. You WILL notice (with glee) the agonized roar of gas-guzzling sports and muscle cars straining to keep pace as you leisurely zip ahead using only an energy-conscious fraction of your near infinite engine power. This car’s dangerously fun speed and handling are tamed by it’s superior and seamless safety systems. While other safety systems feel like an untamed stallion or stubborn mule fighting you for control, the XC40 recharge feels like a sci-fi extension of yourself, enhancing your own reflexes and awareness of the road. The car doesn’t feel like it’s going to drive itself — nor would you want it to, when driving it is so much fun. The experience is enhanced by the most luxuriously appointed interior of any EV I test drove. And the infotainment system (with Google Assistant) is almost too easy. I’m so spoiled that I have to remind myself to plan ahead a little before driving other vehicles — as I won’t be able to get directions, change destinations, call ahead to make reservations, get calendar reminders, make notes, etc. all by simple voice command without ever taking my eyes off the road. I’ve put an absurd number of miles on this car already, some weeks averaging 4 or more hours each day in all manner of conditions: from empty rural highways to congested commuter lanes. And words cannot express what a joy this car has been through it all. The best and simplest summary: I didn’t realize how stressful driving was until I drove this car and experienced just how easy, safe, and fun driving could be.
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Just About Ready To Buy, Until ...
Jewopaho, 06/08/2021
updated 06/08/2023
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
11 of 19 people found this review helpful
Having researched this vehicle ad nauseum, I couldn't wait to drive it. It being a discounted demo, with an additional $2000 off via Costco, I figured it to be a slam dunk ... and it almost was. Living in Texas, where summer temperatures reach triple digits (and humidity is not far behind), the combination of ventilated seats and remote start is the ideal option package. Unfortunately, the former are not available on the XC40 series. Add the only interior color (virtually black), coupled with velour microfiber sitting areas, the result was a very uncomfortable experience. I actually checked to see whether the seat heater might be on. I noted this to the salesman upon returning, and was advised that I was hardly the first to bring this up. Additionally, power folding mirrors are not part of any package, something that's a great help when parking in my garage or a narrow space. You might think I'm nit-picking a bit (perhaps I am), but we're talking a $60k car here, which should be equipped accordingly. But if these matters aren't important to you, by all means check the Recharge out. It's a very well-made vehicle that performs brilliantly. It just doesn't work for me. UPDATE: Gave it another shot ... same result.
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Reliable runabout
Carl, 11/17/2024
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
We purchased a used, 20k miles example in fine condition, with 2+ years of warranty left. We brought it in to our local Volvo dealer early on, and they applied updates, (including the gurgling sound from the sunroof when driving in the rain :-) and we got wiper blades and a cabin filter, which is essentially the service needed. The updates addressed some minor quirks, and subsequent updates eliminated the occasional instabilities, infotainment reboots, that other reviewers have noted. From what I’ve read, they released this vehicle with a bunch of software issues and no apple carplay. Today, Carplay IOS maps now have been integrated into the driver’s instrument display. Google maps were always there and don’t require a phone connection. We’ve had to replace the Pirelli tires, I wanted to switch to the Michelin Cross Climate 2’s Volvo EV spec) that are available in Europe as they are quieter and smoother riding but I’d have to import them myself and then replacements would become an issue. We’ve had no repairs (other than the sunroof drain tube TSB which was warrantied) and no downtime. This is a very short, nimble, easy to park, mini SUV with responsive steering and handling, and insanely fast, effortless acceleration at any reasonable speed. Around town over rutted roads it is a bit harsh and pitchy. Seats are really comfortable, visibility is great, and its a safe pleasant sporty-ish transport that is cheap to run. The 20” OEM tires were expensive and were pretty much done at 32k. Brakes will last a really long time (10 years?) as braking is primarily regen ( Chevy Volt owner experience). No Oil changes, tune up, water pumps, timing belts/chains, etc. The battery appears to be solid, Range is unchanged. DC fast charging is more available now than when we purchased it. Still road trips are more fussy with an EV, in the Northeast many of the rest stops have DC fast charging, and many DC fast charging locations are near major interstates. Many new car dealers have “pay for” DC fast charging stations as well. Depreciation is high, but we paid about 1/2 of MSRP for what was essentially a new car. Value has dropped about 25% since. We intend to keep it for the long term, eventually use it primarily locally, and pass it on to our daughter when her hand-me-down Chevy Volt is done. Oh, and install a 240v level 2 charger at home, so it’s convenient to charge, even though its “just” 40 amps, it charges pretty quickly, about 15% per hour.
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Good performer, poor quality interior
Steve L., 05/30/2021
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
8 of 24 people found this review helpful
This is a nice-driving $58,000 EV that has the interior cabin quality of an early model Honda Fit
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Great handling and smooth, quiet ride!
GonzoCG, 08/27/2024
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We wanted an EV. We were looking at Kia's but saw a XC40 nearby and took it for a spin. It was a really nice interior, solid feel, great handling and the 402 horses can impress! So far it has been gr8. Now using single pedal driving, maxing range and have a beautiful ride yet practical for life. Love it!!❣️ Very happy with this car.🙂
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