Volvo XC40 is the smallest SUV Volvo offers. The company has announced plans to standardize their sales to fully-electric by 2030. With many car manufacturers moving toward electric cars how does the Volvo XC40 compare against other brands?
Volvo claims to have designed the Volvo XC40 for the city and the rest of the world. The XC40 comes in 3 models buyers can choose from. The Hybrid Plugin Volvo XC40 Recharge, the Partly Hybrid Volvo XC40, and the fully electric Volvo XC40 Recharge are now available for the public.
The car supports both front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive power trains and for those that like a quick diesel or gas "recharge" the Volvo CX40 also comes in partly hybrid models. With the rest of the world still hustling to get into fully electric vehicles, Volvo simply made the XC40 available in diesel or gas and reduced emission to the minimum by making the models partly hybrid. Who doesn't like free miles anyway?
Volvo XC40 has been on the market since 2017 but how does it stack up against other similar SUVs in 2021?
About The Volvo XC40
Volvo retains the XC40 as an answer to Audi’s Q4 e-tron, BMW iX3, and Tesla Model Y. Going fully electric with the new Volvo XC40 will do 259miles on a full electric charge and a 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds.
Volvo XC40 starts at $33,700 for the base model but can be upgraded to the available trims: R-Design and Inscription for a premium. The fully electric Volvo XC40 on the other hand starts at a $53,990 base price.
Volvo XC40 is a very fuel-efficient car. The Volvo XC40 Recharge hybrid range goes as high as 118-135mpg with an addition of 26-27 miles on an electric charge. Decide to go electric and you will be looking at 256miles on a full charge and a quick charge of 80% in just 40 minutes.
Volvo XC40 offers great features for a compact SUV. Some of the premium options you can add to this compact SUV include a panoramic roof, 360* camera, parking assist, and the first-ever Google Maps navigation system integrated into a car. All the line-up models come equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission making the Volvo XC a smooth and eco-friendly ride. The AWD drive trains feature the T6 and T8 powertrain also featured on the Volvo XC60 while the FWD feature T5 and T4.
Power, Speed, and Mile Range Comparison Against Competitors
When compared side by side SUVs like the BMW iX3 and Audi Q4 e-Tron are the closest competitors to the Swedish carmaker. Other alternatives would also include the Toyota Rav4, Tesla Model Y, or the Volkswagen Tiguan.
In terms of speed, the Volvo uses an 8-speed automatic transmission on all models, hybrid or electric. The electric Volvo CX40 does 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds. Compare that with the 2021 BMW iX3 which has more horses and does 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds Volvo takes the lead. In comparison with the fully-electric Audi Q4 e-tron which does 0-60 in 9 seconds flat, Volvo will definitely be the better choice. In comparison with Tesla Model Y which does 0-60Mph in 4.1 seconds, Volvo XC40 falls a little short.
In terms of mileage, Tesla Model Y comes first on the list with 326 miles on a full range. The 2021 BMW iX3 comes second on the list with a range mileage of 285miles on a full charge, followed by the Audi Q4 e-tron with 222 miles. Volvo XC40 ranks last on our list with 208miles according to the EPA. Truth to be said Volvo XC40 features the smallest battery out of the three, yet is the fastest and cheapest to buy.
If you choose to go with the Volvo XC40 the 402 horsepower and 486 lb-ft of torque will make for a good time behind the wheel but It will not get the most miles compared against its competitors. However, the car is very well put together and we have to admit the high quality of materials and longevity Volvos are known about. Volvo comes equipped with some standard features that set it aside from the competitors.
5 Volvo XC40 Things That Just Make Sense
Useful Hooks & GloveBox
You will find very useful hooks to hang up your most important bags in the front or rear. The boot cover flips in different shapes to make space for grocery bags to hang. Carefully thought and very useful for daily drivers. The glove box on the Volvo XC40 includes a hook to hang your bag but also a very useful vent inside the glovebox. You can keep cold drinks or store food in hot summer times.
Touchscreen & Side Panels
All Volvo touchscreens are infrared. Meaning that the touchscreen can be used with your hands, gloves, and any type of object. Volvo XC40 side panels feature a lot of room to store things. The driver's side panel can fit a full-size laptop and a big bottle of water, and the best thing about it is the soft cloth material will never scratch your laptop.
One Pedal Drive
Selecting the one-pedal drive option makes the car stop if you remove the foot from the gas pedal and uses that kinetic energy of the wheel to convert it to a battery charge. The Volvo XC40 simply loves city driving.
Fun Fact
Volvo has taken an eco-friendly approach and uses recycled materials to build the interior parts. The company has decided to go fully electric by 2030. Their Volvo XC40 is the first electric car model.
What Sets The Volvo XC40 Apart?
Volvo offers you a great balance between comfort and agility. The interior is spacious for a compact SUV with a 427-liter boot and plenty of space at the rear. The dashboard is well-designed and feels premium, giving heavy traffic days a better ride. Volvo offers keyless go and hands-free tailgate for busy compact SUV owners.
Volvo also makes it possible for customers to choose their powertrain and a wide variety of extra options. Considering the price and the features Volvo XC40 offers it is the best compact SUV for the money over all other competitors.