2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T5 review - the best green SUV? | What Car?

The Volvo XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T5 doesn't exactly have a catchy name. But even if you can't remember its full title - in the correct order - there are plenty of things about this plug-in hybrid SUV that are memorable. How far can it go on a full charge using electric power only? Is it better than other similarly priced plug-in rivals? Watch to find out.
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#VolvoXC40 #XC40T5 #T5PHEV

[@gregfrith]

You criticise the functions screen, however those icons have been changed like that by somebody, you can move them around yourself, that’s why there is a gap! Just press and hold like you would on an iPhone. It really bugs me when car journalists don’t learn the car before they give it their expert review!

[@robertlangham2356]

Useful. Another excellent review and so glad you didn't describe the xc40 as "only" 40k+ as some other reviewers have stated.

[@vasistasirapa3663]

Great review. Thanks for giving the consumer tip at the end. Can you do a comparison video between BMW X1 Phev and Volvo XC40 Phev? It would be really helpful

[@BodyCastSculptor]

We enjoyed this video - really helpful and detailed. Thanks!

[@kurtbonner3163]

I have had 2 ltr petrol for 18months and its been fantastic - comments on handling don’t mention wether this is battery related- mine handles quite well. As another viewer mentioned - you can move the tiles in the display - do your research!

[@rwg2626]

So many so called car reviewers, just copy each other..... test a Volvo.... moan about the infotainment screen, I’m on my 3rd XC90 with this system, it’s easy, simple and straightforward, you just set it up with the bits you need regularly at the top, you move them around like an iPad, job done, so simple and easy to use. Volvo’s are just the nicest place to sit and drive, and relax

[@hankthetank185]

Robbie Surfer I think Volvo’s have the best interiors, full stop.

[@elliex20]

I agree. I understand people's argument about touchscreen Vs hard knob though. Apart from that, I think Volvo's infotainment is very intuitive and easy to use.

[@_gigi_carvalho_5786]

Great review!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@g4m778]

Good review !

[@howardparker6342]

Having the facility to charge the battery 'on the move' is very interesting. What overall consumption figure did you achieve on your varied test run?

[@kdsewell01]

Will this be coming to the US? Thanks!

[@paultaylor9652]

Lovely Jubbly, not my preferred mode of car, still a interesting review to watch.

[@cmartin_ok]

Why no version under £40k for the uk to avoid the punitive extra VED charge? Pricing just over £40k will discourage private sales. Volvo is not the only manufacturer guilty of this act

[@robsmith1a]

The most impressive thing for me is the spare wheel. I find it really annoying that most cars just have a largely ineffective repair kit.

[@jaisabai4155]

Wow, a spare wheel! Thanks for bucking the trend Volvo and thanks to Doug for noticing.

[@marktaylor6287]

I've got a hybrid XC40 and the spare is a £150 option which I was happy to pay.

[@Wee-Rex]

Just placed an order for a T4 AWD petrol as this hybrid is FAR TOO EXPENSIVE!!!!! The garage did everything they could to persuade me I could only order a hybrid. So, I went online and found a petrol-only variant myself. The technology is simply not good enough yet to persuade me to change over. And did I mention, it’s FAR TOO EXPENSIVE?

[@paulpalmtree9295]

At 5:25 into this particular video, it’s mentioned that it takes 6 hours to change up, using a Standard 3-Pin plug. However it’s not mentioned as to how much it will approximately cost in Electric to charge from your home.

[@tonymagnier9846]

if you have a Night Charge special rate on your home electricity its cheapest at that.

[@hankthetank185]

Thank you for your honest review Doug. Shame Volvo didn't get it right for this model. Hope the Recharge model (Full EV) will be a better model?

[@paulholterhaus7084]

I would not expect that tiny 10KW batterie to last long.......My personal experience with Lipos is that they can handle about 1000 deep discharges.......With the 78KW batterie in the full electric You will need less than half as many full charges, Maybe 15% as many......As an example, The Mitsubishe hybred with its 12KW batterie has only about a year batterie as per you tube testers.....Paul

[@julianwills9509]

Thanks have just got one. Lovely car

[@paulpalmtree9295]

I hope you don’t mind my asking, but if you change up a home, using a standard three pin plug, have your home Electric bills increased by very much......I am considering buying a hybrid Volvo XC 40, but I am a little concerned in regards to increased home electric bills.

[@manant388]

Is it better than the BMW X1 hybrid ?

[@mickboyle1522]

As a matter of interest are their any diesel phev out there

[@andrisromanovskis9363]

The price diff of plug-ins over trad ICE models due to batteries and electric stuff in gen should be going down fast. E.g. you can have 11,8 KWh battery pack for 12 hundred USD + shipping. Imagine, you can DIY a TSLA Powerwall analog for less than 2k USD! Bulk buyers, like carmakers, get even lower prices and will have to pass the savings on to end customers rather sooner, than later.

[@kinocchio]

Wow really good.

[@okosmostonlego5590]

T5 owners , when the battery is 0 , the horse power is still 262? or 180?

[@revelation333]

Spare wheel made my day.

[@antwonefernandez7554]

Zero mention of petrol only fuel economy...

[@YananoBere]

Sorry, maybe I'm confused. How is 42k "very expensive" for a luxury CUV? There are petrol powered variants and competitors that cost way more than that

[@rewayi]

Yanano Bere mdhara kudhura

[@superduperawesome6858]

I keep on hearing about 'regen braking' and what it is but is there any stats behind it like it extends charge by 10% over 100 miles, or can drive with lights on 😖 ? Is it a real benefit?

[@neilmaddox8745]

You only need a 12v battery to power the lights?

[@superduperawesome6858]

@@neilmaddox8745 so the regen charges the 12v battery? I'm confused 😵

[@neilmaddox8745]

@@superduperawesome6858 the main battery should charge the 12v,so no need for an alternator.

[@scottwills4698]

There is no easy way to measure that. In town you will use Regen a lot but on motorways hardly at all.

[@davidcoro27]

Xc40 hybrid or VW Tiguan hybrid?

[@ianboulton4209]

I thought this car was 4WD?

[@johncullen5230]

Hi Are all Volvo's made in China now?What would the resale value be with all these electric cars?I believe that 6years is about the life of the batteries.The cost of the batteries replacement is high so who would buy these cars as a pre owned vehicle?Thanks for all the great information you put out .John

[@rwg2626]

John Cullen fake news, batteries last a long time now, battery management has evolved, keeping the battery cool is now sorted,

[@marcobresciani544]

volvo are made in Belgium Sweden and Usa.

[@johncullen5230]

@@marcobresciani544 Hi Marco I read that some of the Volvo manufacturing is done by Geely Holdings in China

[@marcobresciani544]

@@johncullen5230 xc40 is build in Belgium at Gent In gente they produce also the battery for xc 40!, xc90 v90 xc60 s90 made in Sweden some part of the cars are made in china and some xc60 and s90 are made there for their market, means that they don't send in Europe to be sale, cars that are made there! as all manufacture does to produce all over the wold! S60 is made in US.. Also some Germans car are made in Portugal, east Europe and South America...big car manufactures rules are so. Also some part of Jaguarl Land Rover group are made by Indian Tata, for example. Geely , also bought a big part of Merces benz and Daimler!. So MB will have some part from Geely, which also bought Lotus and Smart...LIFE IS SO!

[@ELdASenSei]

This felt more like a review from a electric car standpoint

[@shitydrummer]

if you were going to get this for short commutes it would make more sense to buy a tesla model 3 as there are about the same price and the tesla is fully electric

[@scottwills4698]

Depends if you like your cars painted properly 🙊

[@paulholterhaus7084]

Why bother...When You can get the FULL electric in a few months with 408 super quiet HP....Paul

[@zalp66]

£££££? !

[@logtothebase2]

Add another 10K

[@Grant0610]

If you don’t live in a town the PHEV cars are pointless. Most of the time they will be on petrol or diesel mode. This only gives 20miles electric power but costs a whopping £41k!!

[@abelisraelcruzayuso4682]

1.8 tonnes... Jesus...

[@coltuppal]

So this is a T4 not T5

[@thanasisk]

Nice vehicle but really expensive.

[@danishsheikh7397]

The car is not expensive, you are poor.....

[@thanasisk]

Danish Sheikh True!

[@kostancijabarniskiene6747]

Kaina

[@t-bonemendez9938]

Nice, but rear is not that attractive.

[@firdauzkang]

You should keep your hand on the steering wheel instead of the screen.

[@Goenie2005]

So, I suppose everything on your iPhone is much better to see and has 10 million buttons? Don't spout such nonsense.

[@limpunsing224]

Hybrid is nice but I find the PHEV useless It's either you go Hybrid or full EV for me

[@neilmaddox8745]

I thought phev is a hybrid?

[@arman4590]

@@neilmaddox8745 , hybrid, plugin hybrid and electric are three different systems. According to experts, at the moment, plugin hybrid, aka PHEV, is the better of all three. Though as ranges get extended, electric ones will certainly prevail eventually.

[@mirzayilmaz5966]

Volvo noop

[@melodytalks3432]

Hybrid cars are not designed to stay & doomed to fail. After all why carry two power train every where , pay two maintenance, pay for two fuels, two headaches only to achieve one objective !!! And yet damage environment as there is no Tomorrow...Total madness. I guess taxi drivers & those travelling more than 300 miles a day could benefit from Hybrid cars.

[@Poxenium]

Why are you carrying around that heavy engine and fuel tank? 🤔 PS: hybrids without a plug are a scam. They are 100% petrol/diesel cars.