Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD (2021) in the test: Sweden-Stromer

by

Article menu

The SUV, which has been available since 2017, is now going electric. Is that going well??

Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD (2021) in the test: Sweden-Stromer-2021

How do automobile manufacturers approach the issue of electric cars? After all, there is no getting around it, whether you like it or not. Some electrify well-known models, others develop completely new platforms and cars.

Volvo goes both ways: Until now, it was thought that Polestar with the 2 would be responsible for the Swedes for the E topic. But now Volvo is following suit and turning the XC40 into an electric car. Time for a first test!

The electric SUVs of the competition: Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD (2021) in the test: Sweden-Stromer-xc40 Mercedes EQA (2021) can be ordered now

Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD (2021) in the test: Sweden-Stromer-test Audi Q4 e-tron, Skoda Enyaq iV and VW ID.4 in a first comparison

Look and space

So different Polestar 2 and Volvo XC40 may also look like, the drive is the same. However, the Volvo, which has existed since 2017, mutates into a monster word: XC40 Recharge P8 AWD. Whenever it says "Recharge", there is only electronics in it. P8 plus AWD says that there is a lot of power and all-wheel drive.

But first things first: Externally, the Strom-XC40 does not differ much from its combustion brothers. Other rims (19 inch) and a closed grill, that was essentially it. But why not? The XC40 still looks good and other brands like Mercedes or BMW do not do it any differently.

Speaking of looking good: A Volvo C40 Recharge is coming soon with the same CMA platform and technology. It is practically the Sportback model of the XC40, which we now want to focus on again.

Picture gallery: Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD (2021) in the test

Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD (2021) in the test: Sweden-Stromer-2021

Between 414 and 1,290 liters of luggage fit in the trunk, with the XC40 Recharge there is also a "frunk" under the classic bonnet with a volume of 31 liters. Very practical for stowing a charging cable. The classy interior is not quite as practical. You sit nicely high, but you have to grapple with the infotainment's upright touchscreen.

The menu navigation is not intuitive, sometimes even illogical. It took me an eternity and what felt like a degree to change little things in the on-board computer. A lot of things in the cockpit are actually self-explanatory, if only the infotainment were structured more clearly. After all, there is nothing to complain about in terms of space.

Unfortunately, a start button is missing, I have to put the gear selector in R or D to be able to drive off. Here I would like it to be clearer when the car is really completely off. The Volvo shares this topic with the Polestar 2.

How does he drive?

But let's go! And how to start! Like a sports car, the XC40 soaks up the road, from zero to 100 km / h in just 4.9 seconds. At 180 km / h, however, it is over, as Volvo is now doing with all of its cars.

The very quick note of the XC40 Recharge is all the more astonishing, since the just 4.42 meter long car weighs a whopping 2,188 kilograms. You read that right: almost 2.2 tons! As in the top model of the Polestar 2, the thrust is provided by two electric motors with a total of 300 kW (408 hp) and a maximum of 660 Newton meters of torque. And from a standing start.

Of course that drives pretty cool (sorry!), But you can't get the impression that this Volvo is overpowered. With a view to the Polestar 2, something could be done in this regard, because this is now also available with less power. The basic model comes with front-wheel drive, 165 kW (224 hp), a 64 kWh battery and a range of up to 440 kilometers.

Consumption and range

A battery with 75 kWh of usable capacity is located under the seats of the XC40 P8 Recharge. According to WLTP, Volvo specifies a range of 400 to 418 kilometers. The XC40 drew its electricity with up to 72 kW from the CCS-HPC charging station we use.

The Volvo is not too frugal with energy: In normal driving at cool temperatures and a little on the motorway, we came to 28 kWh per 100 km. That would give a good 267 kilometers range. Incidentally, the manufacturer himself specifies between 23.8 and 25.0 kWh according to WLTP, which in the best case means 315 kilometers.

What does it cost?

Less power would definitely mean less consumption and more range. And also lower the steep price: Volvo is calling for at least 60,900 euros for the XC40 Recharge P8 AWD, which is almost fully equipped. For a good 10,000 euros, however, Tesla offers a similarly performing Model 3 with all-wheel drive.

Or let's take the brand new Audi Q4 e-tron (4.59 meters). As a 50 e-tron quattro, it "only" offers a good 300 hp, but is larger and gets more range from its 77 kWh battery. Price: 52,900 euros. The new Hyundai Ioniq 5 is even more exciting (4.64 meters), the top version of which has a system output of 306 hp. Plus 605 Newton meters of torque, all-wheel drive and a 73 kWh battery for a good 480 kilometers. It can also charge with 800-volt technology from 350-kW columns.

Of course, these comparisons lag a little, but they only show that the competition for the electric XC40 is getting more and more extensive. And so you wonder a little who should buy it. But what does it mean to buy here? You also get the recharge from 699 euros month in the long-term rental without down payment and final installment, you only have to fill up yourself.

Conclusion: 6.5 / 10

In principle, the new Volvo XC40 Recharge is not a bad car. But it suffers from its infotainment, the high weight and, as the P8 AWD, is overpowered in our opinion, which means that the purchase price almost mutates into a killer criterion. As soon as Volvo adds more moderate drives, the cards will be reshuffled.

Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD (2021)

engine two electric motors

power 150 kW (204 PS) per engine, total 300 kW (408 PS)

Max. Torque twice 330 Nm, total 660 Nm

drive All-wheel drive

Acceleration 0-100 km / h 4.9 sec.

Top speed 180 km / h

length 4,425 mm

broad 1,863 mm

height 1,647 mm

Trunk volume 414 – 1,290 liters plus 31 liters at the front

Empty weight 2,188 kg

Payload 462 kg

Trailer load 1,500 kg

battery 75 kWh net

consumption 23.8 – 25.0 kWh / 100 km

Electric range 400 – 418 km (WLTP)

Base price from 60,900 euros

Related articles

Please follow and like us:
error
fb-share-icon
Tweet
fb-share-icon

Leave a Comment