The Volvo XC40 Recharge Redefines Compact Luxury But Raises Some Questions - TheSmokingTire

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Volvo has done so many things right with the XC40 Recharge. The build quality, styling, use of space, and interior comfort are second-to-none. The integration of the powertrain is excellent. It's a very nice thing to drive and use at its intended purpose, and it's also very, very quick! But Volvo has also chased Tesla some places it didn't need to go, integrated Google in some confusing ways, and not quite hit the mark in some other areas. Is the XC40 Recharge a viable competitor to the Ford Mach E or Tesla Model Y? Answer: It depends.
Volvo provided the vehicle and insurance for this review.
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The Volvo XC40 Recharge Redefines Compact Luxury But Raises Some Questions - TheSmokingTire

[@Armour783]

The newest 2.9 OTA update, just released yesterday, now shows the range in the drivers display.

[@MTreddevil12]

Completely agree about the start button. I inspect these during lease end. I usually have the car running so I can have music and the AC blasting to cool off after the walk-around. Having the car keep turning off is very frustrating.

[@StevenGoodson]

You can press the home button when you step out to leave the climate controls and stereo on for a bit. You can also turn on climate controls from the app and set schedules. The thing that is lacking though is a pet mode because after a while the climate controls turn back off.

[@ArstanWB]

@@StevenGoodson never ever leave a living being alone locked in a car for a prolonged time span. Solved.

[@nehtals]

There have been many OTA software updates since Kyle did his range test. They include drive train, range and charging optimisation

[@_kowono]

Again, the car man on KZbin I most agree with! Too often with EV's journalists concentrate on the bits that don't fit their car reviewing life, but the reality is most houses have more than one vehicle, can charge at home and only drive for an hour a day tops. Making an EV a very sensible option with few downsides when compared to a gas vehicle.

[@HAHA.GoodMeme]

you're in a rich person bubble if you think most people own two cars and can charge at home.

[@_kowono]

@@HAHA.GoodMeme most households in the market for new cars... Myself and my wife only have a single car. We can't justify anything fun. But, the number of families that have a need for two vehicles is considerable. If you're buying new, for most it would make sense for one to be an ev. That's all I'm saying.

[@1MrBryn]

It's absolutely the best looking car in its category. Volvo have just been hitting it out of the park with styling this past decade

[@driver8703]

I have the gas version of the XC40 and I couldn’t be happier with it and it has been the perfect daily driver to town or work. The only reason I didn’t consider the recharge was on the off chance I take it on a trip I didn’t want to be constrained to charging. But I am happy mine has the pre google infotainment and happy with just CarPlay, pair that with a Amazon wireless adapter and it’s fine. I think as GM will soon find out that no CarPlay is a absolute deal breaker for a lot of people and if companies go down the google route and make CarPlay hard then they will find the similar challenges. It’s one thing to have your system powered by your phone, but to have google constantly connected as the main system, that’s a big no thanks for me.

[@wrxpilot]

Good review Matt and editing (Zack)! I’ve been curious about this one since my wife and I are considering an EV for her next car. The range is a dealbreaker, otherwise it seems like a great car. Anyway, I was listening to your podcast when this popped up on my YT feed. I figured joining your Patreon is about due since I consume so much of your content! Stoked to have early access to the David Twohjg episode!

[@gickneorge]

This one has an extra minute or so… I chose this one to watch. I feel like I’m getting some deleted scenes - or maybe I’m just unknowingly participating in a KZbin test!

[@Ze-Germanzuk]

What's with the double upload but two slightly different lengths videos?

[@BarikSingh]

Matt forgot to place the ad

[@Tones1087]

It’s really encouraging to see automakers move EVs downsize without necessarily being downmarket. Us city folks appreciate small vehicles for street parking, small garages, and tight driveways.

[@JonathonBarton]

6:24 - Even if you're not on 2.9 OTA Update - if you're still on 2.7 - the info is in the Range Assistant application, which you can have as one of the four app 'slots' on the infotainment system...and you can still have your Navigation Display right in front of you, in between the gauges. 7:04 - OMG, I'm ded. =) 10:41 - You can 'turn the car on" remotely with the Volvo App on your phone - there's a "climate" preconditioning that runs for 10 minutes. Solves the same problem as a remote starter in a gas car - which is the only situation I can think of *even in a Gas Car* when you'd want to turn it on without physically sitting in it - and even then, it requires a remote starter. Without a remote starter installed, a LOT of gas cars with push button start have an occupancy sensor in the driver's seat that prevents you from leaning awkwardly in, reaching over the steering column finding the button blind, and pushing it. WAY easier to just get in, push to start, release the hood latch, then go do your thing. This is a pretty nonsensical strawman edge-case nitpick, IMO. *_Turning the car off, though?_* - If you get out of the car, lock it, and walk away - the car turns off. No button necessary. You don't even have to put it in Park first. Since you're stopped, the brakes are already on, and when you walk away, the car will put itself in Park. - Again, it's an edge case, and I don't know when you'd ever *actually* want to do this - and it happens so rarely that it makes sense that the option to turn the car off while you're sitting there in the driver's seta is a _little_ buried and inconvenient - but if you REALLY want to turn the car off and still sit there. Settings (Gear Icon) -> Control -> Last item in the list is "Turn Car Off" - it's all of three clicks and a single swipe away if you REALLLLLLY want it. Honestly. No button necessary. They're not "following Tesla and Lucid down a rabbit hole" - The button was just a dumb interim solution to fill our psychological need for consistency (because boomers gon' boom) as we transitioned away from keys entirely... Remember that short period where there were cars that had an ignition key you inserted AND a start button?

[@tiddybee]

I think it's perfectly reasonable to have an opinion and desire to have a key and a button. I don't think it's exactly a strawman argument if there is a reasonable consumer desire to have a button and physically turn the car on/off yourself. Personally, I think it's an issue that car manufacturers are slowly taking away more things that are directly controlled by the end user (start/stop button, manual wipers/lights, Tesla's intuitive gear thing that selects reverse/drive without you flipping a stalk). Are these solving any realistic problems we have as consumers, or just introducing tech for tech's sake? Some consumers desire that, so there's definitely a debate to be had. In a recent podcast, Matt mentioned how he was delayed in getting his sick cat to the hospital due to his Mach E's 'phone-as-a-key' system, so there are documented and measured real-world issues with some of this technology.

[@terryorcutt8739]

Great and thorough video review, Matt. As the proliferation of EVs gets accelerated, it's nice having someone take the time to thoroughly assess where EVs are presently, what directions in design are ill-advised, day to day usage, etc. I know you said this video was a dog as far as views, but these will be increasingly important for those drivers on the fence a out EV purchases. Thank you for providing them!

[@JimboJason]

I miss cloth seats. Thanks for the great review!

[@likethewords]

Love the style and frankness of this review format. Thank you 🙏

[@thenetworkarchitectchannel]

Volvo XC40 Recharge is my daily driver. I love the thing. I had a TV reporter interview me about NEVI-Compliant charging and when I dropped the hammer, she began giggling like she was seven. Tesla has chill mode. Volvo engineers forgot to add any concept of that and left it wide open. It is also able to be glamped in. I fold the back seats down and put in an air mattress. As far as EVs go, the Android Auto is IMHO best in class for SoC destination estimation. It is one of the few that correctly estimates the effects on an EV from changes in elevations. If your goal is an EV that eaks out every ounce of efficiency, look elsewhere. If you want a comfortable, fun to drive, EV with a lux look & feel, I have to say this is an underrepresented option. As far as range goes, if you say 60 miles in an hr avg for highway, then 180 is three hrs. I am fine with the 240 I get. Every 3 hrs. I would prob stop anyway for bio breaks or stretching my legs. I agree the EV info is lacking. That seems to be the trend with higher end cars. We just got a Cadillac Lyriq and it too is the same way. I think the thought is too much info gets confusing so they leave it simple as a percent of full. Thx for the vid. I enjoyed watching.

[@BelviGER]

Drove the xc40 recharge a while ago and didnt do any checking before - thought it was your typical 130hp electric commuter. That was quite the surprise But its just soooo expensive for its size

[@The_Stanman]

With discounts and EV tax credit, you can get leases for ~$500 which is very reasonable in today's market.

[@stevemiller1626]

@@The_Stanmanlease is fleece

[@dmondra2]

The C40 is the crossover, the XC40 is the SUV. Just a minor clarification.

[@lynp9996]

Yes I also wish volvo didn't stop offering the plaid cloth interiro on the v60 and actually offered it on the v60 recharge ever.

[@stickylightning852]

Getting in and driving is the best part of this car and my favorite part.

[@tmdttpc]

Loving the new format of TST

[@matteugenio]

This would make for a lovely daily

[@huwwilliams9287]

Always been a big fan of the ST. Must’ve watched and listened for 10 years? Keep doing the good work guys. I live on the Isle of Man and your friend chris Harris has just visited for the TT. I hope his collecting cars pod persuades you to visit next year. All the best guys.

[@dbeckMSP]

one of the uploads probably doesn't have the ad

[@pjgreenleaf]

Another great video! Really like way smoking tire has been going stylistically lately. I just wish youtube would actually notify me or put the new videos on my home screen instead of forcing me to search for TST every time. And yes I am subscribed with notifications so life just doesn't make sense these days.

[@TravelBreakthrough]

I just reviewed and test drive this car and it’s def amazing. How much tech evolved since Henry ford etc but I think on the highway with ac or heat on drains the battery super fast

[@rosochowicz]

Great job Matt! Like the format.

[@not_super_street]

Is it normal that these videos normally don’t come out for months after they are recorded, because I definitely remember Matt talking about this on the podcast a very long time ago

[@aproductofboredom]

Yes

[@damienlee1165]

Embargoes, I think. He can say he drove it, but can't say what he thinks about it..

[@TheSmokingTire]

This one was longer than normal, because other cars with embargo dates took precedence.

[@Petrospect]

The interior alone is making me wanna go visit a dealer, really exquisitely spec'd car.

[@KeesStokman-vc3ds]

Good look finding a wool blend. It’s like 1% of the allocation.

[@David_Journey]

Lack of A/C buttons makes me avoid Volvos - very unfortunate trend

[@pizza105z]

I just lease a regular S60 as a daily driver to pair with my mustang and I absolutely agree with everything that was said in the video (besides all the charging problems that I obviously do not have) This is the perfect daily driver for me

[@tantgron4real]

You do know the Recharge smokes any stock fossil Mustangs? 400+ hp, 0-100 km below 5 sec?

[@pizza105z]

@@tantgron4real I dont have a recharge but my mustang is supercharged. Im not to concerned with being the fastest car. The mustang has different driving dynamics than the volvo making it a great track car for me. It can do things that the volvo cant and the volvo does things that the mustang cant thats why i got it :)

[@bruintoo]

I got a 2022 C40 when I replaced my 2019 Jaguar I-PACE. The C40 has been a trouble free car, and it's quite a looker.

[@GabeDeMoraes]

This was a great review!

[@IanCharlesPearce]

My first concert was a Reel Big Fish and Goldfinger concert in 1994.

[@joetacchino4470]

Watched the whole thing for the metrics. Like seeing you guys do something other than sports cars.

[@jordandennis2702]

Really like the look of this one. Happy to see Volvo is still making wonderful cars

[@kev7383]

I was on 94 tour 🕺

[@DudeDadEsq]

First, you have access to range in the center console (Range Assistant). Second, the 2.9 software update that’s now being rolled out provides the range directly under the batter indicator in the instrument cluster.

[@tyler9703]

I'm digging the wool interior, that should be a thing in more cars

[@pm9625]

Agreed!!

[@maximo90019]

Congrats on the new format! Way to up your game

[@vulpixelful]

"Enjoy your avocado toast while leaving close-minded boomers in the dust" finally a car review channel that knows what I care about most 😌

[@CaryInVictoria]

The recently-released OTA update version 2.9 adds estimated remaining range to the driver display, right under percentage of battery remaining. The update also activates a previously-unused button on the steering wheel to toggle lane-keeping assistance and now permits Apple Maps to be displayed on the driver display. It's been a year since Kyle Conner of Out-of-Spec Reviews reviewed the car. Since then Volvo has tweaked the software to increase range and charging speed, though I don't know if they've also made Turtle Mode less turtle-like.

[@spencerloop284]

Love it Matt! I do photography for a dealership and learned some things. The part about the car turning off automatically is a dealbreaker for me. Entire car turns off when I would go from the front to the back, could only imagine that in daily life. It’s a great product in some aspects but some things are just so strange. Great video sir!

[@tantgron4real]

Just press the Play-button, and the car is "on" if the driver have to leave?

[@spencerloop284]

@@tantgron4real where’s this at on the car? I want to try it out!

[@spencerloop284]

@@tantgron4real sorry if I’m asking for over simplification😂 sometimes need it on cars

[@adegbolaadenusi2428]

Dude, I'm going to this guy from now on for all my car reviews 🤣!! "What if I'm Kanye West with my mouth wired shut recording the college dropout". "Speeding by these boomers with my avocado toast". Pure gold, with great insight into the car. A+ 🤣🤣🤣!!

[@theredmonkey]

There is no need for a button to turn the car on in an electric. Volvo got it wrong in that when you get out of the drivers seat it turns off so the passenger can not use the infotainment system without a driver.

[@The_Stanman]

There is value in being able to manually turn a car on/off. Even for things like resetting the infotainment when there's a software glitch, which is common in Volvos. Another issue you identified - what are the parameters for turning the car off/on. You'd prefer it to stay on if the driver leaves. Others will prefer it turn off to minimize accessories running. Or how long should the car stay on before turning off if you don't lock it? Ultimately, cars have an on/off switch. The question is whether it's manual or automated. Considering automating and removing the button has no benefit and has some downsides, it is as Matt said, "a problem that didnt need solving."

[@davidsteinhour5562]

I thought the "Recharge" moniker was for plugin hybrids. I think an engine and 50 miles of range would truly sell me on this car, full stop.

[@Vidofnir044]

Clearly this longer video is the "Snyder Cut"

[@meirionrhys]

Interior looks lovely, its not vegan though!

[@AaronAverett]

The regular XC40 is different from this. You can get that with actual leather (possibly standard?), but this and the Polestar 2 actually do appear to be totally vegan, as far as I can tell. At least, my Polestar is. The steering wheel is the only thing that's even leather-like, and it's still very obviously vinyl of some kind, sort of like Tesla uses.

[@meirionrhys]

@@AaronAverett Wool is not vegan..

[@matthewt5481]

Great review Matt. I have to say cars that are always connected and have integration with google etc give me the shits from a privacy point of view. I’m probably in the minority but I’m not interested any any new car with that stuff - unless I can switch it off in its entirety. Building it into the infotainment does not sit well with me. Lucky I can resort to the isolation of my classic cars and my 2008 Volvo V50 to remain comfortably disconnected 😅

[@rawpasta]

Make Fabric Interiors Great Again

[@Neophobic]

You set off my google nest when you said " hey google" lol

[@AkinaSpeedStarsAE86]

Legitimately all I want is a bigger version of the prius because that thing is solid

[@the-record-lab]

Lots of quirks and features!

[@stevemartegani]

I miss the Onetake format

[@sanxi34]

Jeeezz!!! Reducing charging above 90 is normal in a battery operated device is normal. But not being able to go over 45mph when under 10% of battery is problematic. That forces you to GTFO the highway when you are at about 12% unless you are in a traffic jam and you know you're not gonna go over 45

[@twinscrolled]

Does what podcast app we use matter to you guys?

[@SpookyConcepts]

Great review matt!

[@PeterJames143]

thanks for a great review. beautiful car.

[@brianlewis250]

'It runs 12s' . LOL that's what is important

[@Aaron-jp5nz]

Another Fantastic Video btw

[@PeterHolmgren]

Great review!

[@hardcoreep]

Good review. Looking to get one of these for the wife.

[@bradhayes9115]

Are the seats on par with other Volvo seats?

[@bud215]

Man this would make a great daily

[@mrkkiani]

I'll watch this just for you Matt :)

[@ArstanWB]

Weird timing, the 2024 model is currently being delivered, with better range and RWD.

[@brendanerskine4158]

Yeah exactly. The update on the twin provides (predicted) 38 miles greater range

[@Riitmi]

So because the charging power gets throttled at above 90% (which it admittedly does) the car is considered to be a bad road tripper and have weak DC fast charging? Educate yourself on EVs

[@driverpsyche]

Your Google command triggered my GA in the office, lol.

[@JSmooVE3990]

If I wasn't 6'7 I'd consider having one. Simone Giertz has one.

[@gavinsullivan9015]

Nice car - i like the styling but 30k AUD over a model Y here in Oz. Hard to warrant that extra impost for a nicer interior…

[@brendanerskine4158]

? In Australia, this twin motor version is 15k cheaper than the equivalent AWD model Y?

[@tylerf1674]

I wish you could have done a video on the up coming 2024 model. Since this one will be outdated in 6 months

[@global_nomad.]

glad we're reaching the point at which EV's are being compared with direct rivals rather than every other ev.....we never did that with ICE cars because there was sufficient variety, now EV makers just need to stop focusing on 0-60 numbers and moderate acceleration as appropriate to balance vehicles against better efficiency/range.

[@ΘάνατοςΧορτοφάγος]

I'll take the Volvo C40 🤙

[@JSmooVE3990]

I disagree on the turning the car on. My Tesla was always on. I never once missed the start button. Just got in and hit the screen and watched movies whatever I wanted to do. If the car doesn't really turn off I don't think I should pretend to turn it on because I'm used to that. Just wake it up like a smartphone it's much better IMO.

[@jareknowak8712]

Once "fun" also meant 1100kg of weight and sharp turns.

[@Patriiiiick]

Maybe the only SUV i'd ever own(not that i'd ever be able to afford one).

[@RibasFilms]

Thanks for the video. Turning the car on and off really is not necessary for me. Its an electric car. Its always on. Secondly: I drive electric car and I NEVER and i mean it, never look at my miles that I have left. I only look at the percentage. Having the miles on your screen gives me range anxiety

[@AP-op4rc]

I hope these reviews do and will make sense for the bottom line. The quality is off the charts since you guys changed it up and I’d hate to see that go unappreciated. I hate this tik tok world where 5 seconds of nonsense beats 15 min of legitimately good quality. I’m here and will just keep watching and clicking the like button.

[@Nannarii]

It's just a slightly worse polestar 2, which is still pretty good.

[@Victor-ri3yl]

What is color?

[@DaBaltimoron]

Take this over the Mach E?

[@Aaron-jp5nz]

The Kanye reference was great

[@allthepizzainmybelly1302]

Ooooh that wool

[@ThePinoyisme]

Love it❤

[@BelviGER]

Upload 2 > Upload 1

[@mcspikesky]

Matt I swear your pain face on these thumbnails is genuinely disturbing

[@laloajuria4678]

dbl post mistake?

[@Ianmundo]

“and the ergonomics are.. perfect” sorry to be the bearer of bad news but Volvo and Polestar are replacing steering wheel buttons with glossy black capacitive touch bs

[@718YellowSubmarine]

Get a V60. This XC40 is an insult to my eyes. Driving it is providing a message to the world of giving up life. Comparable to in-line dancing, same thing. V60 is fine.

[@solocamo3654]

Call us closed minded boomers, but the lack of audio note is still a major issue with electric cars, especially on a track.

[@jackferriter2533]

My Google home couldn't tell me the range... then again I'm in my living room and no where near a car let alone a Volvo XC40 Recharge

[@realteamme]

Thumbs up purely for the Alex Jones appearance joke.

[@alexbrown7665]

I wish the v60 would go EV 😢

[@brendanerskine4158]

The 2024 model has more efficient motors and a 4kW bigger battery resulting in 38 miles further range.

[@michaelfjmusic]

Matt's entire review summed up in a sentence: "This is an okay-ish car despite the poor range and tech, as long as you have a backup ICE car, don't take it on road trips, and never travel more than 75 miles from EV charging infrastructure".

[@lucianholbrook3966]

Why bother making these videos if it will just tank you in the youtube algorithm? You talk on the podcast so often about wanting more views but videos like this have the opposite effect, and subsequently tank the videos people would watch because youtube won't push them.

[@kurtmuroki8763]

leather is way easier to clean...

[@fadd6895]

No Chinese car until hong kong is free .

[@chevyracing1080]

Sick double post lol

[@mikhailgregovszki7478]

No start/stop button? I seriously worry about some of these tech directions... its just a matter of time before there is another "unintended acceleration" issue (real or not) that raises the question: how do you stop this thing if it just starts accelerating and/or won't stop from use of the brake pedal? There needs to be some sort of emergency OFF switch or something and it needs to be consistent across all vehicles. In older cars you could just turn the key off, but in newer vehicles very very VERY few people know how or even if their vehicle can be stopped if something like that were to happen.

[@adamhenegan9315]

Phish reference!!!

[@flipfloptanlines926]

Its tough to get excited about Volvos new toaster....How does the car review industry continue when cars are becoming consumer electronics?....