XC40 Recharge

Make
Volvo
Segment
SUV

Volvo achieved a new milestone last week as the Swedish automaker's first-ever fully electric car, the XC40 Recharge, entered production one year after its debut. It's based on the same platform as the regular XC40 but packs an electric motor producing 400 horsepower instead of a 2.0-liter inline-four gasoline engine, enabling the XC40 Recharge to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 112 mph.

A 78-kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted in the floor provides a driving range of over 248 miles. This rating is based on the European WLTP cycle, but now, the EPA has rated the XC40 Recharge with an estimated range of a disappointing 208 miles in the US.

That makes the XC40 Recharge even less efficient than the Polestar 2, which has an EPA-estimated range of 233 miles. As for the economy, the EPA rates the XC40 Recharge at 85/72/79 MPGe city/highway/combined.

This falls short of its chief rival, the Tesla Model Y, which is rated at 111 MPGe combined and has an estimated range of 291 miles according to the EPA. While the XC40 Recharge has less range than the Model Y, there's a chance it could have a cheaper asking price. Volvo hasn't announced pricing details for the US yet but it's expected to cost around $50,000 before federal EV tax credit deductions.

The Model Y Long Range, on the other hand, currently starts at $49,990 and is no longer eligible for federal tax rebates. If the XC40 can undercut the Model Y's price, it could be an attractive alternative if you don't need an EV with over 200 miles of range. It also has one of the best infotainment systems on the market powered by Android, with Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play Store support along with over-the-air software updates.

Since its debut last year, demand for the XC40 Recharge has exceeded expectations to the point that the electric crossover is completely sold out for the 2020 model year.