By Ian Strachan.
Volvo’s XC40 Recharge brings another very welcome plug-in hybrid to the compact SUV market sector. But there’s nothing compact about this new hybrid offering from the Swedish manufacturer.
The latest XC40 hybrid gives you up to 27 miles of all-electric driving before the vehicle reverts to its 178 bhp 1.5 litre three-cylinder petrol engine. After that you switch seamlessly from petrol to electric power depending on the demands of the vehicle.
Like its conventionally-fuelled brother, the XC40 has bags of interior space, with generous legroom front and rear, a high seating position and more than adequate carrying capacity. In fact the XC40 doesn’t feel any smaller than the excellent XC60.
Like its bigger cousins, the XC90 and the XC60, the XC40 is bristling with technology, with most functions controlled via a slick and intuitive nine-inch touchscreen with voice activation. In the days of smart-phones and tablets this feels perfectly natural.
The XC40 carries over design cues from its bigger stable-mates, including its soft Scandinavian curves.
There’s no doubt the XC40 also looks good, with its contrast colour roof, striking Volvo grille and chunky alloys. I tested the Plug-in Hybrid T5 FWD R-Design Pro specification. In design terms, there’s no doubt that this is a Volvo. Solid, sturdy-looking and roomy, it’s all Volvo from front, back and side.
It has a high stance, superb traction and a host of electronics to keep you safe (this is a Volvo, after all). The 1.5 petrol engine is a superb unit – very quiet, with smooth, unfussed power delivery. Linked to an effortless seven speed automatic transmission, driving it is a pleasure.
The XC40’s ride is comfortable, with nicely damped suspension, no body roll on cornering, and supportive, supremely comfortable seats.
The interior is nicely trimmed with powered front seats. The dash is uncluttered and clear with all controls falling nicely to hand, including the central touchscreen. There’s plenty of leg and elbow room inside the cabin, and the load space is impressive, with extra stowage under the boot floor.
Trim levels are high. Standard equipment on this specification includes a good voice-activated satnav and connect system, smart stand-out 19 inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, surround-sound DAB radio and sound system, automatic climate control, automatic stop/start, cruise control with speed limiter, lane control, hill start assist, LED headlights electrically heated folding door mirrors.
This XC40 Recharge comes at £42,430 on the road. Like many plug-in hybrids it doesn’t come cheap, but you get a lot of car for your money. My test car came with quite a few extras including a driver assistance pack (£1550), park assist with rear camera (£575), a premium sound system (£550), heated rear seats and steering wheel (£300) and wireless phone charging (£200).
For those who can’t bring themselves to go full-electric (which is available on the XC40) this plug-in hybrid is a good compromise.
