2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Hybrid

Is this plug-in SUV the best of all?
The Volvo XC40 is one of the most desirable compact SUVs money can buy. But does adding a plug-in hybrid powertrain to Volvo's impressive SUV bring added versatility or just more weight and complication? In this CarGurus UK review Rebecca Jackson takes an in-depth look at the XC40 Recharge, assessing its practicality, comfort, tech, performance, efficiency and more.
Read our full review of the Volvo XC40:
www.cargurus.c...
Pros
Stylish, chunky looks
Excellent safety kit
Comfortable as well as good to drive
Cons
Rear seats not the most comfortable
Electric version is expensive
Infotainment system on earlier models a bit fiddly
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#cargurusuk #volvoxc40recharge #volvoxc40

[@keithwilliams9594]

I bought a Xc40 Inscription 4wd in November 2020, I have to say I love it, I tested the VW, Audi and BMW alternatives and this was by far the best. I tow with it, Cary bales of hay, Take the dogs out and still it feels like a luxury car. I have had Range Rovers and BMWs and i can honestly say i am not going back.. It has coped with the snow and the floods very well, Roll on the summer when i can test the aircon :-)

[@MrChadder007]

I have to agree with you. I come from having BMWs also and I think Volvo has really stepped up their game these past few years.

[@danishviking6254]

Ok, so I drive XC90 and my husband drives XC60. I predict the XC40 will become Volvo’s bestselling car. (It was no7 of most sought after car in the U.K. in 2020)

[@danishviking6254]

Btw. We too had a BMW in the past but bought our first Volvo years ago and never went back to BMW.

[@VSS1]

The Volvo interiors are just spot on. A great design, superb.

[@jackyong815]

Volvo has never been this good before the Chinese taking ownership and yes XC40 is now manufactured in China as well #MadeInChina2025 🇨🇳

[@jackyong815]

Volvo has never been this good without Geely of China taking over their ownership #MadeInChina2025 #BeltAndRoad 🇨🇳

[@jackyong815]

Volvo and Polestar wouldn't have been this good without the Chinese taking over their ownership #MadeInChina2025 #BeltAndRoad 🇨🇳

[@johnmartin7158]

@@jackyong815 Hi Jack ! Well I am not impressed with the MG SUV hs PHEV. Hope the Volvo is significantly better. Regards

[@patrickluka8513]

I dont mean to be so off topic but does someone know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account?? I was stupid forgot my account password. I would love any help you can give me!

[@Brightsparks1960]

Whilst the central touchscreen can be distracting to use on the move for temperature, radio and sat navigation Volvo has a useful set of voice commands so you do not need to move your hands from the wheel to make many of the basic changes. Voice Commands are easy to remember such as 'increase temperature to 20 degrees', 'Take me Home' or 'Play Radio 1'.

[@AndrewBaba]

You didn't mention something very important, that electric range of the car practically is about 25 km which isn't the best. 45 km what they say is just theory

[@andrewmarsden1970]

Got a XC40 T3. Overall a good car.

[@auchen888dolly8]

Rebecca you do a brilliant job on all your reviews thank you so much ☺️

[@roelvanes1711]

Perfect car, just plug it in every time you get home, so easy. Averaged 100mpg over the last 6500 miles. Obviously a lot of local 15-45 mile trips, but several longer ones too. Hybrids work well if you live in a village or your commute is short.

[@nevillemason6791]

The big question is how do you thaw out an electric car on a frosty morning and heat the car whilst you drive along. You surely can't use battery power to do that. So only a car to use on a dry summer day? (Not too hot as you can't use air conditioning!)

[@lafonevc5663]

@@nevillemason6791 of course you can do that.

[@antohosm43]

After 10 years of Audis I really enjoy my XC-40 T3 R Design Pro which has a wonderfully comfortable driving position with great visibility. The car looks purposeful, handles well and is stunning in appearance. Interior finish is well up to German standards though the smooth 3-pot is a little too fond of fuel (approx 36mpg overall). Big bonus? Cold hands no more thanks to the Winter pack!

[@Krieky]

Great, thorough review as usual. The background music became a bit intrusive at a couple of places.

[@garyholden9989]

I have a V90 which is brilliant. I have looked at the XC40 however the cost is stupid across the range.

[@xrxoffice8606]

Does it need charging all the time? Would it be harmful for the battery / car if not charged frequesntly enough and run on Petrol?

[@IwillBwaiting]

Safe reputation, and not many people who buy a Volvo/Geely, are show-offs. Many people who drive any of the competitors, are.

[@alanwayte432]

Lets tick all the stereotypes shall we...

[@danishviking6254]

So true. That is one of the reasons why driving Volvo is such a pleasure. Clean, classy demure style and image.

[@CraftCreepzzz]

Can you turn the music up? I can still hear the commentary

[@andyb8005]

Great review - would love to see a side-by-side comparison with the MINI Countryman SE.

[@austinedwards1918]

I'm from a family where the children have grown up, so no longer need mum and dad to ferry them about. Hence this car would be good for us as a two person load no problem car.

[@lewisjohnston6831]

Excellent review giving all key details very clearly.

[@vitusyu9583]

Quality comments, good work Rebecca, as always!

[@jamesmccormack3229]

Always enjoy Ur reviews, honest and put across in away way that is informative and not patronising. It's almost as if Volvo have been given permission to go back to wat they are good at in some way, their bulky chunky safety reputation really suits the SUV format. Great design and lovely interiors, the Rcharge variant just adds to this, I am looking forward to them starting to come down in price a bit, sadly a little too expensive just now.

[@willrogers3702]

You say that as soon as you have to call on the petrol engine it gets thirsty. I presume that means it drops to some hideously low MPG figure once you drive further than the battery can handle? If that’s the case, then why bother with a PHEV at all? Just get a diesel one

[@zanaka07]

I get 33 mpg using the petrol engine only. But most of my use is for short journeys which is why I bought the plug-in hybrid version; a diesel version would not be appropriate.

[@m__r1100]

What's with the random music fading in and out? Odd.

[@ForburyLion]

Is there not a voice assistant you can talk to when you want to adjust the temperature whilst driving instead of fiddling with the touch screen?

[@nigelparry4911]

yes I use it every time to adjust heater and fan speed and ringing my friends, so never have to press screen as long you set the screen up at the beginning .

[@jimmacgregor4122]

Mowcowbell/JPH Yes - I get your points - but very few employers offer charging points (free or otherwise) , and home charging is only possible if you have a garage or driveway - it's s non-starter for flat owners or house owners without a driveway. I still think that self-charging hybrids make more sense for most people. Each to his/her own I suppose. BW

[@romainj9520]

Great car but stupid app that gives no control whatsoever on the charge

[@richrichie378]

It's slightly bigger than the other crossovers.. without been huge. The back looks the business too

[@jimmacgregor4122]

As always, a really good review - but, with all respect, I just can't see the point of these plug-in Hybrids - within months, owners will tire of the endless re-charging, and just drive them as petrol cars - some dealers even report that when these things are traded in, the charging cables are still in the sealed bag - never been used - madness. Go for a self-charging model - they run on the electric motor for most driving in town.

[@mowcowbell]

I disagree with your assessment. I own a Honda Clarity PHEV (North American model), and use it in EV mode 99% of the time. While it is nice to have the 1.5L petrol engine as a 'backup', I have found a plug in hybrid to be the ideal gateway to my next vehicle which will be full EV. My employer has free Level 2 charging available, making my daily commute basically free. Takes 5 seconds to plug it in, much like any mobile phone.

[@JPJCH1]

I have been using PHEV for 4 years, now just got a Suzuki Across (same as a Toyota Rav 4 PHEV) and I plug it in nearly every time its parked in my garage, the autonomy of the Across (nearly 50 miles) means that the majority of my errands are made in EV mode, I wonder when I will stop at a gas station next.... so I do see the point you do not.....

[@jackjamieson1120]

That is not the case very few would choose to buy a PHEV and only use the engine

[@taffytop]

Nice coat

[@shanjanusman9974]

Looking fantastic and also love The Volvo XC40

[@juli8vdberg562]

Just ordered mine..

[@Soulman009]

I think I will hang on for the awesome 2021 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid/Electric/Petrol SUV. Thank you Rebecca for that attractive beautiful smile shining through the rubbish weather. Take care. 🙋‍♂️🤗🥰😍😘👍✊🙏☔🌧❄🌈⚘⚘⚘⚘

[@IwillBwaiting]

Clever thinking. Watching how you spend your well earned money and get the most value for it, while supporting an economy that will crush yours.

[@paultaylor9652]

Shame they don't bring back the 1990's top gear format, I think it would be a great success with such presenters as this behind the wheel. As for the car, just buy a Volvo estate.

[@dermulller8591]

Why don't you prepare better for a presentation like this. Just too much false information. E.g. the battery on the PHWV is NOT located underneath the trunk, but in the elevated tunnel between the seats - one quick look before recording the video might have just showed that. How then can you rely on the other information provided?

[@carfulness9353]

Great review!

[@austinedwards1918]

My point is not capacity is relative

[@lewchenko74]

Great review and better than your peers at showing me what I needed to know about the XC40. Thanks.

[@Baddad36]

Volvos used to be streets ahead in safety. Are any new cars out there that don't get 5 stars? Thought not. Also, why aren't the flags Chinese?

[@hadtobe4502]

Starting to full behind unfortunately. Maybe this will be addressed in the next couple of years.

[@jrs9264]

i guess, luv, that you don't get the snow there like we do in upstate new york, here in the colonies....🤔😉😂

[@CaptainMir]

Ruby 💕 you speak so kindly and r very sweet

[@jackyong815]

Volvo has never been as good before the Chinese taking ownership #MadeInChina2025 🇨🇳

[@CaptainMir]

@@jackyong815 ping pong

[@inigomontoya68]

didnt realise simping was a thing on a car reviewers channel

[@raedkhmous1292]

Classy girl same as the car

[@mariatrinidad2972]

Ang ganda mo po ❤️👍😍😳

[@splodgeaug2009]

Too expensive and it looks like a dacia.. the xc60 and 90 is a different story there amazing...

[@mariatrinidad2972]

Buetiful car with girl 🥰

[@jackyong815]

Warm welcome to Volvo becoming part of Geely China group of companies #MadeInChina20225 #BeltAndRoad 🇨🇳

[@wolvoman1]

Who would have ever guessed that she is only 5' 4''-1/2''

[@cglphotographyni4826]

The whole world knows that by now 😂

[@jackyong815]

Volvo and Polestar wouldn't have been this good without the Chinese taking over their ownership #MadeInChina2025 #BeltAndRoad 🇨🇳

[@minniesaab7255]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@iancairns7398]

If you want space just buy a estate car. Better value for money

[@massimodesantis5388]

6

[@nanusiri9189]

£60,000 for the electric version??????????? Wallet says no!

[@lewchenko74]

It’s crazy isn’t it. No matter how many miles somebody drives they will always be better off with the petrol version. Ridiculous pricing for high end electric cars.

[@kilove1]

This is too expensive..🤦‍♂️😭

[@willsmyth639]

Just looks like they ripped of the Ssangyong Tivoli design with this model, who would ever think that would happen

[@romainj9520]

You can't be serious

[@willsmyth639]

@@romainj9520 look at the 2 cars together and you will see the similarities in the shape and since Ssangyong released their model 2 years before Volvo ?

[@IwillBwaiting]

It looks a bit more like a pumped up Suzuki Swift. If you are on about the overall shape, then you can see this type in any brand, as the style makes it stand out within a brands range, and all the brands now look similar.

[@katydid5354]

Do Volvo start out to make the most boring looking car with zero personality, or does it always just end that way?

[@fredw2185]

Fashion or Car review? Fashion overkill.. Like her reviews when normal clothing, not overloaded, how can you drive like this and make an honest review....