Volvo and Volkswagen are switching on to electrical energy and we’ll be climbing behind the wheels of the XC40 Recharge and ID.4 SUVs in a few days to seek out out if Tesla should be worried.

The XC40 Recharged is Volvo’s first electrical automobile, interval, and the ID.4 is Volkswagen’s first electrical SUV. Each are compact crossover-style SUVs, however the Volvo is each dearer and extra highly effective.

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Like twice as highly effective. The XC40 sends a severe 402hp to its 4 wheels because of an electrical motor join to every axle, and might crack 62mph (100km/h) in 4.7 seconds. It can cowl 208 miles (335 km) on a charge and prices $53,990 earlier than any tax credit are utilized – although at £53,155 within the UK the XC40 is just too costly to qualify for any grant in Britain.

The ID.4, meanwhile, solely serves up 201hp, and that goes completely to the rear wheels, whereas zero to 62mph (100km/h) takes a way more leisurely 8.5 seconds. That’s based on Volkswagen – we’ll be sticking our Racelogic VBOX timing gear to the ID.4 to see if we will’t enhance on VW’s usually conservative figures.

On the plus facet, the ID.4 is considerably cheaper: costs begin at $39,995 (£40,800 in UK) earlier than tax credit, and its 250-mile (402 km) vary is healthier than the Volvo’s.

So that they’re not precisely direct rivals – a hotter ID.4 with enough performance to fret the XC40 comes later, as does a less expensive, slower model in some markets – however we thought it’d be attention-grabbing to drive them again to again to see if the Volvo is price the additional cash, and if the Volkswagen feels embarrassingly sluggish with half as a lot energy.

Need to know something about both automotive? Let is know within the feedback under.

We’re additionally driving the facelifted 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric and battery-powered Lexus UX on the identical time, although these include a few caveats. The Kona is the lower-powered 136hp model of the 2 Konas out there in Europe, however America will solely get the 201hp model. And Lexus doesn’t offer the 300e electric model of its UX compact SUV within the US in any respect.

Do you suppose Lexus and Hyundai ought to change theirs thoughts and brings these vehicles to the US? Once more, tell us within the feedback under.