Volvo XC40 Electric Review 2023
The Volvo XC40 Electric is an all-electric version of the popular XC40 SUV. Coming with a well-built interior, strong performance, and a competitive electric range, the XC40 Electric makes a good family car.
Rivals to the XC40 Electric include the BMW iX3, Audi Q4 e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace, and Kia Niro EV.
Volvo XC40 Electric Pros:
- Superb build quality
- Good range
- Powerful performance
Volvo XC40 Electric Cons:
- Infotainment tricky to use
- It doesn't handle as well as rivals
- Expensive
Our Volvo XC40 Electric review covers:
- Boxy exterior with a closed-off front grille
- High-quality and very well-built interior
- 452-litre boot, which can be extended to 1,328 litres with rear seats folded
- A single-motor and a twin-motor engine are available
- Three trim levels are available: Core, Plus, Ultimate
The Volvo XC40 Electric looks pretty similar to its traditional power siblings; it comes with a boxy exterior that's well-designed and nice to look at. The only difference is that the XC40 Electric has a closed-off front grille and less chrome on its exterior.
Inside the XC40 Electric, there's plenty of space, and it will happily accommodate four adults. Those in the front will have plenty of leg and headroom, and the same goes for those in the back until a third passenger is added. The middle passenger in the rear will have to put up with a hump on the floor, which limits leg room.
For storage, the XC40 Electric comes with all your traditional compartments, such as cupholders and door pockets throughout. Some handy features include a pop-out bin between the front seats and sliding drawers under the front seats.
Boot size comes in at 452 litres, which can be extended to 1,328 litres with the rear seats folded flat. On the Plus trim, the boot comes with underfloor storage and a divide which features hooks for your shopping bags. There's also a 31-litre frunk for the charging cables.
With it being a Volvo, the interior of the XC40 Electric is characteristically well-built and features a good range of high-quality materials. A great mix of soft-touch plastics, leather, and metal inlays makes for a premium feel. You can tell it's been built to last and exceeds the Audi Q4 e-tron for build quality.
You'll find a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the dashboard and a 12.3-inch driver display behind the steering wheel. The infotainment system features a nice balance between touchscreen and traditional buttons and also features sat-nav, wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, it can be tricky to use when driving, falling short of BMW's iDrive system.
Three trim levels are available for the XC40 Electric: Core, Plus, and Ultimate.
The entry-level Core comes with 19-inch five-spoke black diamond alloy wheels, LED headlights, two-zone climate control, heated front seats, power four-way lumbar support, lane-keeping assist, charcoal headlining, premium textile upholstery, and automatic door locking.
Plus adds to this with a heated steering wheel, an air purifier, adaptive cruise control, heated rear seats, a power driver's seat with memory, rear and front park assist, keyless entry, and a foldable load floor with a cargo divider and shopping back holder.
The range-topping Ultimate completes the model with 20-inch five-spoke black diamond alloy wheels, pixel LED headlights, a panoramic roof, connect suede textile/Microtech upholstery, interior illumination, a 360-degree camera, air-ventilated subwoofer, and a Harmon Kardon premium sound system.
Two engines are available for the XC40 Electric, a single-motor 69kWh unit and a more powerful 78kWh dual-motor version. The entry-level single motor unit comes in rear-wheel drive and has a power output of 238bhp, a top speed of 112mph, achieves 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds, and a combined range of 278 miles.
The dual-motor version comes with all-wheel drive and has a power output of 408bhp, achieves 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds, and has a range of 311 miles. This is quicker than both the Kia Niro EV and Audi Q8 e-tron.
On-the-road performance in the XC40 Electric certainly won't disappoint; however, it is best suited a cruise or around-town driving.
Suspension is well-damped and smooth over potholes and cracks, making for a relaxing drive at a cruise and meaning you won't have to swerve out of the way of bumps all too often. Suspension is at its best on the smaller 19-inch wheels, and when you upgrade to the Ultimate trim, the EX40 Electric struggles over bumps that wouldn't trouble a Jaguar I-Pace.
Handling is pretty responsive and allows you to nip in and out of gaps easily when driving around town. You'll also find that the XC40 Electric has plenty of road grip. As you up the speed, it does begin to lean around corners because of its weight. If you want better performance on back roads, look towards a BMW iX3 or Jaguar I-Pace.
Prices for the new Volvo XC40 Electric start from £45,650.00 OTR* or to lease from £432.15 per month.
Looking to lease the Volvo XC40 Electric? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase thanks to a low initial deposit, fixed monthly payments, and a range of benefits included in your deal such as road tax and breakdown cover.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change, always check with your nearest retailer.
