2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge is the pure electric variant of the gasoline-powered XC40 subcompact crossover that debuted in 2019. Since an electric powertrain doesn't need the cooling required for an internal combustion engine, the grille is blocked off, but that's really the main difference between the two. The blocky, faceted styling helps it to stand out from other SUVs in the class, as does its available two-tone roof.

The interior is an even bigger departure from the typical SUV, incorporating the clean Scandinavian design language that can feel more inviting than the more serious luxury rivals from Germany. That warm and open feeling is enhanced with an available gray wool-blend upholstery that is unique in almost any vehicle class.

The cabin's simplicity is enhanced by the vertical infotainment touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard, with minimal buttons gracing the cockpit. A digital instrument panel adds to the modern high-tech appearance. Materials quality is in line with entry-luxury SUVs, with plenty of well-grained plastic surfaces and the underlying construction giving the cabin a sturdy and substantial feel. An available Orrefors crystal shifter further adds a stylistic flourish.

Overall, the XC40 Recharge is a smartly designed and well-built electric car. It manages to establish its own funky personality without being too flashy or desperate for attention, which is one of the many reasons why the styling has aged so well.

The all-electric 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge is offered with only one powertrain. That's a 78-kWh battery of the lithium-ion type powering two electric motors, one on each axle, for all-wheel drive (AWD). Combined, they produce power specs of 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. They should get this subcompact SUV to 100 kilometres per hour in just under five seconds, which is relatively quick.

Range is estimated by Natural Resources Canada at 359 kilometres on a full charge, which is unimpressive among today's EVs, but we've found it easy to exceed that estimate in real-world driving. The XC40 Recharge is DC fast-charge capable, up to a 150-kW rate. That should replenish the battery from 10 percent to 80 percent in 37 minutes on a fast charger. A typical home charger will need around eight hours for a full charge.

Acceleration is immediate thanks to the dual-motor powertrain, with none of the delay common to gasoline-powered vehicles. It's also practically silent as it launches, making the experience even more impressive as you feel your body press into the seat. It's certainly powerful enough to satisfy the average driver as well as many performance-hungry pilots.

The XC40 is capable of one-pedal driving, which increases brake regeneration when you lift your foot off the accelerator, slowing the vehicle to a stop while also using that inertia to recharge the battery. With only minimal practice, most drivers get the hang of it and enjoy a slightly less fatiguing drive experience since they'll rarely have to move their foot over to the brake pedal. There are some drivers who prefer more traditional pedal characteristics though, and one-pedal driving can be disabled in the settings menu.

We found handling on the sporty side during our test drive, and having the battery weight in the floor keeps the centre of gravity low, which benefits cornering abilities. The XC40 Recharge is actually fun to toss around on a twisty mountain pass, which is surprising when you consider its more than 2,000-kilogram (4,600-plus-pound) curb weight and all-season tires. A firmer suspension tuning keeps body roll in check but does stiffen the ride quality somewhat. Thankfully it remains pleasantly comfortable and free of sharp jolts from potholes. Road noise is noticeable on the highway, but it never grows loud enough to be intrusive.

The XC40 Recharge offers plenty of front-seat headroom and legroom for taller passengers, and the open, airy cabin makes it feel even more accommodating. The rear seats can comfortably hold average-sized adults, but six-footers may run out of headroom. This is fairly common for the subcompact SUV class, but what's unusual is Volvo's smart solutions to everyday issues.

Here's one example: What do you do with trash when you're driving? Rather than tossing a wrapper aside to later get lost under a seat, the XC40 features a removable bin right in the centre console ahead of the armrest. Worried about spilling your bag of takeout food? There's a small hook that can be pulled from the glovebox lid that will dangle the bag above the floor without any tumbling or spills.

With only 452 litres of cargo capacity behind the rear seats, the XC40 Recharge comes up short against the competition, at least on paper. The floor has a clever fold that can be used as a divider and also provides several hooks from which you could hang shopping bags. There's also a centre pass-through for longer objects so you could still transport two passengers in the back. Underneath the floor is a large space that could hold a charging cable, as well as a shallow tray (frunk) under the hood.

These little touches add up to a big difference when compared to other SUVs. It's difficult not to smile just a little bit when you use some of these features in real life.

The XC40 Recharge has an infotainment system powered by Google, which has some advantages as well as some drawbacks. On the plus side, the integrated Google Maps works seamlessly and also features a handy feature that points out nearby charging stations. The Google Assistant voice recognition system also allows for precise control over several systems. As is the case with many other voice-activated systems, you can select a destination in the navigation, adjust the temperature, and control the audio system. The problem is, if you're in an area with limited cellular data service, these features won't work. Additional apps can be downloaded to the car via Google Play.

A nine-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard, along with a wireless charging pad and Apple CarPlay. Unfortunately, Apple CarPlay is not wireless and will still require a cable. Android Auto has not yet been made available, but Volvo claims it will be offered as a software update in the future. Some Android Auto functions are available through the native infotainment system, as long as you're logged in.

Volvo's Digital Services package includes up to four years of data access for all of the built-in Google features. Owners can also monitor the vehicle and control several systems via the Volvo Cars smartphone app. It allows you to unlock the vehicle, check charging status, and precondition the climate control. Over the-air software updates will also keep the operating system up-to-date and can add features, too.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded its highest score of "Good" in all crash tests it conducted. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has yet to evaluate the XC40 Recharge.

Standard safety features for all XC40 Recharge models include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane keeping assist. You also get a Volvo On Call button for emergencies and roadside service. Stepping up to the midgrade Plus trim adds a surround-view camera system while the top Ultimate trim comes with adaptive cruise control. Unfortunately, those upgrades aren't available on supporting trims as options.

Volvo's commitment to safety is legendary in the automotive industry and some features aren't as apparent as the advanced electronic assistants. For example, the headrests are engineered to reduce the likelihood of whiplash in a rear-end accident and the seat mounts can compress in large collisions to lessen the impact to your spine. In our time with the XC40 Recharge, the safety features mostly operated as they should. We did note a few false alarms on a curvy road where a parked car was mistaken for a possible collision. The alarm was limited to a beep and a warning in the instrument panel and did not activate the brakes.

In Canada, the 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge has a new car starting MSRP of $59,950 (not including $2,620 in destination charges and other fees) for the base Core trim. Stepping up to the Plus trim will set you back $68,000 before fees, while the top Ultimate trim costs $72,250. Because XC40 Recharge trims are all technically set up as packages on a single model, every version qualifies for the federal government’s iZEV rebate programs for zero-emission vehicles, as well as provincial and territorial incentive programs where they exist.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is priced very similarly to the XC40 Recharge, and the Mustang Mach-E is estimated to return more distance per charge. The Audi Q4 e-tron is priced slightly higher than the XC40 and its range estimate is only marginally longer. Other luxury electric SUVs such as the Genesis GV60 and BMW iX start at significantly higher price points on the order of $10,000 to $15,000 more.

We suggest shoppers check out the Ultimate trim. Its main draw for us is the adaptive cruise control, but you also get a more efficient heat pump for climate control, as well as a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system. The $12,300 premium is steep, but we expect not many Canadians will want to live without these features.

If you're drawn to the XC40's unique aesthetics but need more range, you may want to consider holding off for the next model year. The 2024 XC40 Recharge Twin will receive a larger capacity battery and range should increase by 50 kilometres or so. There will also be a single-motor version that could flirt with a 475-kilometre range.

Note: Images show a US model.