Volvo XC40 Recharge Review & Prices

The Volvo XC40 Recharge is a small electric SUV, the first one Volvo launched. It’s a stylish customer with a practical interior, making it a natural for your shortlist if you’re considering cars such as the Tesla Model Y, Audi Q4 e-tron or BMW iX1.

The XC40 was around for quite a few years before Volvo elected to install an electric option in it - making it a bit like a high-tech conversion of an older house that’s been gutted and retrofitted with all sorts of modern tech.

The naming of the Volvo XC40 Recharge may have you a little confused. Basically, the XC40 on its own refers to the non-electric version - available with hybrid engines new, or pure petrol and diesel engines if you’re buying used. The XC40 Recharge is the all-electric version, but as of April 2024 this has been renamed the EX40 - to distance itself from the regular XC40 and to link it more closely to Volvo’s other EVs, the EX30 and EX90.

Click here to read our review of the EX40, which is the latest and current version of the XC40 Recharge.

Buying an XC40 Recharge might confuse you too. When it was launched, it was available with either a single- or twin-motor layout. In mid-2023, Volvo updated the batteries and motors significantly - turning the single-motor variant from front- to rear-wheel drive in the process.

Updated cars are better to drive and have a longer range - up to 290 miles on the single-motor car and up to 334 miles on the twin-motor car. What made this more confusing is that visual changes were minimal, so there’s very little on the outside to show you’re buying one of the newer and improved models.

Whether you’re buying a newer car or one of the originals, the XC40 Recharge isn’t particularly efficient for an EV - averaging up to 3.7 miles per kWh of battery capacity. The best alternatives average more than 4.0 miles per kWh, which adds up, especially if you’re using pricey public charging.

The XC40 Recharge can at least charge very fast - up to 200kW on the post-update twin-motor variants.

It’s a practical family car, too. The XC40 Recharge has compact, upright dimensions that result in plenty of head- and leg-room for four six-foot adults. There’s ample room in the back for a couple of child seats too, and while the boot isn’t the biggest there are plenty of hooks, dividers and smart storage solutions.

It’s a really neat and premium interior, too, with high-quality materials and lots of clever little areas to keep odds and ends.

If you’re interested in the Volvo XC40 Recharge, check out the best used offers here, or look at other used Volvos here. You can find the best deals on the new Volvo EX40 here, and remember that when the time comes to sell your old car, Carwow can help.