Video Summary
The Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 is the first of five EVs Volvo is launching in the next five years.Volvo wants electric cars to account for half of its global sales by 2025.
It looks similar to the fuel-powered versions of the XC40; it has a color-coded covered grill, Recharge logos, and exclusive alloy wheel designs.
Power comes from a 78-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery.
A 150 kW charger will go from 0-80% in 40 minutes. An overnight charge is needed from a home wall box charger to get the same.
There is a slightly reduced ground clearance of 175 mm, the regular model has 211 mm.
Space inside and boot capacity is unchanged, there’s lots of space in the back.
New handy spot in the front for charging cables.
The interior is very similar to other XC40s, with a new infotainment system developed with Google and Android. It has the same software as the Polestar 2.
Google Maps is standard, Google Assistant helps with voice command functions.
The graphics and resolution are better on the driver display. It shows EV-specific functions.
Interior quality is nice. The Audi e-Tron is probably the benchmark for electric car interior quality.
On the road, the Volvo XC40 P8 is very quick with two electric motors.
Both electric motors have 201 brake horsepower. The total system output is 402 brake horsepower.
It is an all-wheel drive.
It goes from 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds.
It is very heavy.
It is more than 2,100 kilograms.
Acceleration is enough to properly pin you back in your seat.
It's not as quick as a Tesla Model 3 Performance.
Driving feels better as gentle driving in town or longer distance highway cruising.
Potholes and broken roads do easily upset the suspension with some hard uncomfortable thuds.
There are a few different settings for the car.
There are small text settings.
One pedal drive turns on which means if you lift off the accelerator, the car will slow itself down and eventually bring it to a complete stop.
The WLTP range of this car is rated up to 260 miles.
This first edition launch version is more expensive than a Tesla Model 3 performance and not far off twice the cost of a Kia e-Niro.
