When Volvo introduced in early July 2017 that it was switching completely to EVs and hybrid energy, the transfer appeared fairly daring. Gasoline costs had been low and the primary Tesla Mannequin 3 hadn’t fairly rolled out of the Fremont plant. Again then, a lot of the world hadn’t actually switched on to the thought of electric-powered automobiles.

Loads has modified between 2017 and this March, when Volvo made its second massive eco-friendly announcement: by 2030 it could supply solely full electrical automobiles. And with 9 years to go till that deadline, we’ve received our arms on the primary, the (deep breath) Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8.

OVERVIEW

Consider Volvo’s first EV as an SUV-shaped Polestar 2. The XC40 Recharge will get the identical 402 hp working gear, enabling it to hit 60mph in simply 4.7 seconds. It’s an interesting package deal, however different E-SUVs supply extra driving vary for much less cash.

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QUICK FACTS

› 0-60mph 4.7 seconds
› 208 miles EPA/257 WLTP
› 40 min to cost to 80 per cent
› Inbuilt Google Assistant
› Worth: $53,990/£53,155

Taking Intention At The Tesla Mannequin Y

The XC40 is a Tesla Model Y-sized SUV that’s been on sale around the world since 2017 with a wide range of petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains. However now it’s accessible in P8 EV type, which you’ll pick from its ICE brothers by the physique colour blanking plate the place the grille ought to be.

The P8 lists at $53,990 in the US, or you possibly can lease one for $625 per 30 days after placing down $4,125. Over within the UK, a P8 will set you again a scarier £53,155 ($72,815), although Volvo has some modern no-deposit leasing offers, together with one you possibly can exit any time, that imply many received’t purchase the quaint method.

Learn Additionally: Driven: The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Isn’t A One-Trick Pony

Extra mixtures of battery capability and drivetrain configuration will observe, reducing the value of entry. However for now the Recharge comes solely with a 78 kWh energy pack that feeds two electrical motors, one driving every axle.

Primarily it’s the identical package we’ve already seen beneath the pores and skin of Volvo’s sister firm Polestar 2 sedan, and delivers an similar 402 hp. However the XC40’s heavier, boxier shell has some unwanted effects we’ll come to later. And in order for you one thing that sits someplace between the Polestar sedan and XC40 in physique model, you’ll quickly have the ability to purchase the C40 Recharge crossover.

Google Is Driving Shotgun

At first look the inside of the Recharge appears similar to the common XC40’s. However nearer examination reveals a brand new 12.3-inch digital instrument pack and an up to date Android-based infotainment system. You may check in along with your Google account and personalize all the pieces, simply as you’d in your telephone, and in contrast to the voice activation on most automobiles, the Google assistant on this one works nicely.

You’ll be grateful it does, as a result of a lot of the automotive’s capabilities, together with the temperature settings, are operated by the infotainment system. The display isn’t significantly massive by fashionable requirements and a few of the digital buttons are too small.

Larger Than It Appears to be like

On the plus facet, there’s a helpful quantity of area given the XC40’s pretty small footprint, even when you should buy extra room for the much less cash by going for one thing like the Volkswagen ID.4. The Volvo doesn’t have the VW’s flat ground as a result of it wasn’t designed completely as an EV. However 4 adults can match comfortably, and the 14.6 cu ft/414 liter trunk is backed up by a 1.1 cu ft/13 litre frunk that’s nice for storing the charging cable or a squashy bag.

Effortlessly Quick

We love a sleeper at Carscoops. You understand, the sort of automotive that appears like butter wouldn’t soften in its mouth proper up till the second it smokes that noisy Camaro within the subsequent lane. The XC40 Recharge is a type of automobiles.

Curiously, there’s no starter button. A sensor within the seat is aware of you’re there, so that you simply climb in, tug the stubby shifter again to pick out D, and also you’re off. The dual motor setup gives it 402 hp and a thumping 487 lb-ft of torque, which can really feel like lots for many drivers. Zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) takes 4.7 seconds, making it nearly an ideal match for the similarly priced Tesla Model Y Lengthy Vary. It takes off well, and in contrast to many EVs, whose efficiency tails off rapidly after the primary preliminary rush of acceleration, it has the muscle to maintain that kick within the again past 60 mph.

Efficiency Doesn’t Equal Enjoyable

That sense of easy efficiency makes the Recharge a really enjoyable automotive to drive, one thing the Volvo’s one-pedal mode ought to amplify. On the push of a button this will increase the regenerative braking impact, that means you not often have to the touch the precise brake pedal. And it actually does work, however we have now a sense some drivers would possibly discover it too aggressive.

For all its efficiency, nonetheless, the beefy 4658 lb (2113 kg) XC40 isn’t vastly entertaining to toss round in the best way a Mustang Mach-E, or the mechanically similar, however lighter Polestar 2 is. However, the dealing with is protected and predictable, it rides nicely, and there’s by no means any query of it having the ability to put its energy down cleanly.

For Sprints, Not Marathons

One of many P8’s few drawbacks is its modest vary. It’s rated at 208 miles by the EPA and 257 miles in response to the European WLTP protocol (although a latest over-air replace ought to have pushed that previous 260). That compares with 233/292 miles for the Polestar 2 sedan with the identical powertrain, and over 300 EPA miles for the equally priced Tesla Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary.

The Model Y additionally has the benefit of entry to Tesla’s Supercharger community and a quicker charging price than the Volvo’s 150 kW most, although that’s nonetheless ok to take the battery again as much as 80 per cent in 40 minutes. Get arrange with a 11 kW wallbox at residence and you may cost in round 8 hours, or add 30-37 miles of driving vary per hour.

Verdict

Volvo has achieved an important job of its first EV. We had been already followers of the ICE XC40’s styling, quality and practicality, and the electrical model is far quicker and extra refined. If something, the P8 in all probability affords extra efficiency than most small SUV patrons want, and we have now a sense a few of them would fortunately commerce a second from that spectacular zero to 60mph time for a cheaper price and some extra miles of driving vary – one thing that may occur when the lineup is expanded sooner or later.