Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 PHEV - Best of Both Worlds? (ENG) - Test Drive and Review

[@stuartbear6126]

Please keep up these honest and entertaining reviews. They make me smile and also remind me that even expensive cars still have flaws.

[@MarekDrives]

Will do! :)

[@stnkfst8639]

Although I don’t agree with your conclusion, I really like your video! I own a T4 recharge and I drive 50/50 on motorways and internal roads (hardly ever city). I use the battery when I can and the ICE when I need to. So when I go to work (10 internal, 80 motorway, 10 internal) I turn off the battery as soon as I’m on the motorway and recharge as much as possible. This way I’m almost half way charged when I come home. When driving around the house for groceries etc I use the battery only. Use it to take the caravan to France (from The Netherlands) as well, really comfortable drive, more than enough power! Agree with you on the brakes, takes some getting used to. Thanks mate, nice vid!

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Thanks. If it fits your lifestyle, that's what's important. I was disappointed after the brilliant T5 AWD. And the pure electric is also a great car, albeit inefficient and expensive :)

[@Skoo_LT]

Amazing review, Marek every time surprises with cheeky talk and interesting point of view! Best wishes from neighbours - LT;)

[@MarekDrives]

Many thanks!

[@juli8vdberg562]

Skoo Polish humor is fun, and he isn't overweight at all, yet he likes to think he is lol

[@DariuszTech]

Great reviews as always. I'm huge fan of your channel I remember your first tests few years back and now looks like you are full time KZbinr. Pozdrawiam

[@MarekDrives]

Thanks. Since about 2014.

[@DariuszTech]

@@MarekDrives I think I started watching you in 2015 when you were just over 1k subscribers. Correct me if I'm wrong ☺️

[@MarekDrives]

For the sake of conversation I will correct you, because I had 1k subs in August 2013 :) In 2015 I was above 10k. Anyway, about 2015 I knew I'll be doing this full time. We have to wait and see what the next big thing is going to be.

[@rogeriogomesosorio4755]

I’m a volvo owner - volvo V60 T6 - for the last two years... and I can say that this is my first and last volvo car that I’m buy.

[@MultiFunky4]

can u tell us why?

[@rogeriogomesosorio4755]

Funky4 Sure. It doesn’t drive that well, gear box is really bad, gas consumption is quite high in town, service is to expensive and depreciation is scary. I always loved how volvo cars looked and I always wanted to buy one... but now that I did, I realize that was a bad choice. It’s just an average car, that is unable to put a smile in you face while driving it. And the fact that Volvo decided that, from now on, speed limit is 180 km/h, just killed it. I’m switching soon, probably for the bmw 330e.

[@juli8vdberg562]

Rogerio Gomes Osório I never liked the xc60, but try XC90, I can't ever get over mine as she was a true beauty, but became too expensive for me and had to sell it. It was an old one but turbo with 260hp

[@steveb4012]

Nice to hear some of the XC40's shortcomings highlighted, most reviewers gush about it.

[@MarekDrives]

In Western Europe PHEVs are for compliance. You buy one, possibly get a grant or a tax break, and you don't really car about the EV aspect of it. In Poland, where there are no benefits to owning a PHEV, this is just expensive, and for this price you're better off with a GLA 250e.

[@steveb4012]

@@MarekDrives I'm from the UK, my wife is getting a BMW X1 PHEVas a companycar. Tax breaks for company car drivers are huge. Great channel BTW!

[@MarekDrives]

Thanks! I haven't driven the X1 PHEV, but I know the MINI Countryman SE, and I assume that's more or less the some powertrain. Fun little car, and that X1 really looks the business.

[@steveb4012]

@@MarekDrives As and when we get it I'll let you know. Thomas on, Autogefuel did a brilliant review of it. Forgot to add, your English is brilliant, well done.

[@juli8vdberg562]

You are really the best.... I just ordered mine after doubts between a Renegade and this one

[@numbereightyseven]

I'm glad to see your subscriptions increasing; you certainly deserve it.

[@MarekDrives]

Thank you very much!

[@rocketdreamer]

Considering it was designed with electrification in mind , by what u say it gives a sense of an afterthought. And I love Volvo. They need a tech step on charge speed + tuning parts that others already do well, including Volvo in upper and in principle less modern lineup. Thanks for spotting the darks, a refresh could do magic.

[@MarekDrives]

I'm afraid it's a compliance car before they can get the fully electric Recharge P8 to the market.

[@vaun01]

I love Marek’s reviews. Great Polish dry sense of humour just like brits up north.

[@piotrceglinski1555]

Dzisiaj odebralem swoje xc40 T5 recharge!!! Super sprawa! Zasieg na baterii nie jest swietny 45 km mysle osiagalne tylko w miescie... jazda wysmienita.

[@joannaevans5695]

Yes, Yes, Yes ! Marek rules !

[@rlorenzoalvarez]

czesc, the piece of cloth is intended to safe the arm rest in case you decide to put something through from the back without lowering the armrest.

[@poulavandervalk7539]

262 pk is fantastic if you have to drive with a caravan (1.700 kg). At last an Hybrid who can manage that!!

[@NemanjaPantelic]

I agree this seems a bit underwhelming from Volvo. It doesn't seem to do any task well and you need to charge it every day! Given the choice, I'd rather go with a 2nd hand Zoe or similar for the city stuff and a regular XC40 for everything else. Full disclosure: lifelong Volvo fan here, but I sold my V90CC this summer and got an EV that might wear a name of a scientist :) Anyhow, ever since I saw your V90CC review in 2017, your reviews have been my regular 3 o'clock Friday break (well at least since you introduced the publishing schedule). Keep up the good work!

[@do8472]

subscribed, notification bell, youtube notified nothing, Had to look it up.

[@MarekDrives]

KZbin works in mysterious ways. Or doesn't work.

[@do8472]

@@MarekDrives Thanks for your reviews, I will hunt them down if needed.

[@peterclifton5854]

Great video as always good honest reviews, personally I still think there is quite a way to go before companies like Volvo can go full electric the infrastructure isn’t there as yet, like where I live in the UK there isn’t many charging points for electric cars at all

[@MarekDrives]

Funny you should say that. I watched some of Carwow EV reviews, including a range test for half a dozen or so most popular EVs on the market, and it seemed like you have charging stations every 20-30 miles somewhere close to the motorway. In Poland we're lucky to have them every 200 km along main travel corridors.

[@peterclifton5854]

Maybe near the cities and main motorways but I live in the south-west of the country and I wouldn’t say we being over run with charging points

[@kevinn1158]

I really like the designs Volvo are bringing but I think their driving dynamics let them down. I can't wait to hear your review of the full electric version of the XC40 and when you get a hold of the VW ID4. Actually, I'm seriously thinking of buying an AWD ID4.

[@MarekDrives]

We'll have to wait and see. With the delay they have on the ID.3, I don't want to plan anything for the ID.4 :)

[@hanoakihiro]

when you drive after the battery is out (still hybrid mode?), how does this car compare B5? Which one is more smooth and powerful? Thanks!

[@MarekDrivesENG]

I haven't tried all Volvo engines, so I can't tell you. But yes, once the big traction battery is depleted, the car goes into something resembling a HEV.

[@masud144440]

What would you suggest for hybrid car? and within same price range would be the best fully electric car, for example XC40 electric. looking forward to hear from you.

[@MarekDrives]

GLA? Or even the B Class, A Class.

[@Red_Snappa]

F**k Me Marek.....whenever I come back to see one of your reviews - the first thing that gets me, is your English is better than mine....and I'm born & bred in the UK!!! (and all professionally done...) Great review on one of my 'possibles'....many thanks 👍

[@MarekDrives]

Thanks, I was taught by English teachers for most of my teenage years. As for the cars, I hope you found it useful.

[@AntonisArgyros]

Dear Marek, thanks a lot for your informative reviews! What is your opinion on the mild hybrid variants, like XC40 B4 and XC40 B5?

[@MarekDrives]

I haven't driven them, but based on my experience with MHEVs sa far I'd say they are just for compliance, rather than for real fuel economy benefit. I imagine in some countries/cities having an MHEV could be financially beneficial, because for example it puts you in a lower tax bracket, but that's it. Having said that, I liked the MHEV implementation in the CLS I reviewed a couple of years ago. I noticed some savings there, but we're talking about a 3-liter engine. I recently test drove E53 AMG with a new take on the MHEV concept, and it didn't do the same things the CLS 53 did. In short: if you don't get a tax benefit out of it, it's not worth it.

[@AntonisArgyros]

@@MarekDrives, thank you very much for your immediate and informative response! Actually, I am interested in B4 not for its improved economy but rather for its (hopefully) stronger engine over T3. I hope this is the case! Note: I had a test drive of T3 but, unfortunately, in the place I live I cannot test drive a B4...

[@Neatspejamasis]

For city crossover 47k I think it is too much. It looks like option for moms with higher income. 4WD/AWD (ok ok or advanced traction control like in some PSA or Lada vehicles) should be at least an option. Otherwise it is just slightly less practical MPV. Sound proofing (and some noises) especially for this sum of money should be better.

[@user-xf5db8kc4b]

Hello Marek, thanks 👍🏻 Seems like a great car 😏 What is your opinion regarding the possible hard noise the car blower makes whilst cooling the battery during charging? Some reports say this can be a nuisance to owners and their neighbors?

[@MarekDrives]

During my week with the car it was probably the rainiest and coldest bit of August, so I didn't notice any battery cooling noises. Also I only have a regular 230V socket at home, not even a Wallbox, so I really can't say.

[@user-xf5db8kc4b]

Thank you. Stay safe ✌️

[@Lukas-zr9yk]

Nice

[@MrAndrei4777]

What plugin hybrid SUVs would you suggest then, in the same price range?

[@MarekDrives]

Even cheaper. Grandland X Hybrid4 is surprisingly good. Coming up soon.

[@gandalf588]

Andrei Pashkov any other choice would be way better you name it

[@Verbindungs]

Cool and good looking inside and out, but for the privileged. Also the Swedish flag is kind of ironic considering Volvo is Chinese owned.

[@fmsantoscar]

That’s ridiculous. All engineering and design is done in Gothenburg, Sweden. Chelsea FC is Russian owned are they still not an English football club?

[@Verbindungs]

@@fmsantoscar let's agree to disagree. Also, the XC40 is based in the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) jointly developed by Volvo and Geely under their China Euro Vehicle Technology AB (CEVT) R&D banner. And wouldn't it look cool a red and yellow stars flag in place of the swedish one?

[@fmsantoscar]

Verbindungs so you’re telling us that Skoda and Seat are German right?

[@Verbindungs]

Is there any doubt about that?

[@fmsantoscar]

prussell890 I live 5 mins away from the Volvo headquarters and factory here in Gothenburg. The sheer presence of Volvo all over the city and especially in and around the factory plant is immense. The amount of people that work for Volvo in any capacity including people that work for Volvo suppliers here. Both my next door neighbours work for Volvo. You would have to be an hypocrite to even suggest that the car make is Chinese to be honest just because the owners are Chinese.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

Here in Au all the Big Oils are building many big new petrol stations, and more in the middle of nowhere. None of which have rapid chargers. I can't help but wonder why when the gas pump is apparently going the way of the dinosaur. Makes me think that everyone driving an electric car is still a very long way off... 🤔

[@MarekDrives]

Rapid chargers are expensive, so without the right incentives I wouldn't expect anyone to invest in them. Australia is also a special case, as there are potentially long distances to cover, and gas is just easier to refill quickly (though Elon is glad to prove otherwise). As for PHEVs, they make sense if you live in the suburbs, charge the car at home overnight, and then commute to the city and back. With any luck you won't be using the petrol engine too much (if at all) until you go somewhere further.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

@@MarekDrives In Au there is zero incentive to go EV. There's no rebates or tax breaks or registration discounts or toll reductions. Also domestic electricity supply here is frightfully expensive. The Government and general public simply isn't interested. Dunno why... Elon is a bit of a dick and people see thru that, maybe Au just doesn't like him and rejects his good ideas?

[@MarekDrives]

I think the world is divided into people who think he's a dick, and who think he's a visionary. I think he's a bit of both :) What about going solar? Australia seems like a place where solar panels make sense. Hell, I've just installed some on my house, and they'll produce sufficient energy for only a few months every year.

[@numbereightyseven]

These new Volvos that have petrol engine, supercharging, turbo, AND some electric ... that's WAYYYYY too much that can go wrong. Sorry Volvo, you're safe and stylish, but you're not on my list.

[@MarekDrives]

I haven't heard any engine-related horror stories, but the electronics can be a bit wonky.

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

Could have had an AWD version.

[@yamahass66]

When do you need it?

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

It would still be good to have it.

[@yamahass66]

@@DaveDVideoMaker You don't answer

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

I’m out bîtch.

[@MarekDrives]

@yamahaevo it could use better traction in the corners.

[@petershorney7504]

Nice car but not worth the premium over pure ICE versions.

[@Tom-uk2ow]

This is not car for me....

[@fadd6895]

I will not buy a chinese car !

[@PutsOnSneakers]

Built in Belgium you racist prick

[@JB-se2ef]

I don’t like it