2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric

The 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge is a slightly revised version of the small entry-level luxury electric SUV it’s been selling since the 2021 model year. This is a segment where premium marques are still figuring out what works, so the competition (namely Genesis GV60, Tesla Model Y, Jaguar I-Pace and Audi Q4 e-tron) vary quite a bit in many categories. There is only one body style for the 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge, a funky, blocky and tallish crossover SUV.

New for this year include some subtle styling tweaks, mainly the removal of a frame around the grille area (the XC40 Recharge doesn’t have a traditional grille), a new front bumper, new wheel designs, three new exterior colors (Silver Dawn Metallic, Bright Dusk Metallic, Platinum Grey Metallic) and vegan leather-free upholstery options. It looks more like its C40 Recharge cousin with softer angles and lines. It’s the all-electric version of the gas-powered XC40, reviewed separately. The XC40 Recharge has renamed its trim levels (Core, Plus and Ultimate) to align with other Volvo models.

It stands out against the rounded shapes of the Genesis GV60 and Audi Q4 e-tron and the low, sleek Jaguar I-Pace. It looks more utilitarian compared to the Tesla Model Y unique crossover shape. Volvo’s pricing is lower or matched to all but the Audi, which even in a performance-boosted model, can’t touch the XC40’s horsepower. The XC40 Recharge is the smallest of the group at 174.8 inches overall. That’s 3 inches shorter than the GV60, 5.9 inches shy of the Q4 e-tron and about the same for the Tesla Model Y and 9.5 inches less than the I-Pace. When it comes to room for people and cargo, those differences tighten considerably.

There is only one available power choice for the XC40 Recharge. Twin electric motors are powered by a 78 kWh lithium-ion battery, producing 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. Only the Genesis can top that, with its Performance AWD model making 429 horsepower, but at a price nearly $8,000 above that of the highest trim level XC40 Recharge. Pricing for the Core, Plus and Ultimate start at  $55,740 and move up to $58,440 and top out at $61,690, including destination fees.

Interior styling remains the same, with the biggest change in the cabin a new optional vegan upholstery and and total buy-in on a Google-operated infotainment system, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto still work. The 9-inch touchscreen has swallowed too many functions to be easily operated. Adaptive cruise control is strangely not available on the Plus or Core models, making the top trim the best tech and safety choice—but at a high price.

We drove an XC40 Recharge Twin Ultimate for a week and found it to be startlingly fast. That’s great, but fairly numb steering and an awareness of the XC40’s tall profile inhibited any desire to play Formula 1 driver. Range suffers in the name of speed with this vehicle, though, at just 223 miles per charge. The nips and tucks to improve the boxy look of the XC40 Recharge for 2023 unfortunately didn’t change its weaker features.

Performance: 13/15

The Volvo XC40 Recharge is muscle-car fast. A sprint to 60 mph from a standing start takes only 4.3 seconds in any of the three trim levels. The Jaguar I-Pace and the Genesis GV60 Advanced are close, at 4.5 seconds, while the Audi Q4 e-tron’s base 40 model needs 7.9 seconds. The Audi is the slowpoke of this set.

The only cars in this group quicker than the XC40 Recharge is the Genesis GV60 Performance and Model Y Performance, which cuts the zero-to-60 time down to a blindingly quick 3.6 and 3.5 seconds, respectively. But the Genesis is $7,725 more than the most expensive XC40 Recharge Ultimate, and a whopping $13,675 more than the base XC40 Recharge Core.

What works against the power in the Volvo is a very tall position behind the wheel, uncommunicative steering and a constant awareness of the vehicle’s tall box-like shape. As a result, the 402 horsepower is great for short bursts away from stop lights or confident merging and passing, but doesn’t really contribute to any sense of sport or fun. 

Overall, the ride is smooth, given the shortest wheelbase in the set, and quiet, though the styling contributes to a bit more wind noise than you’ll find in the others.

Range, Energy Use & Charging:  8/15

In an age where the sweet spot for EV range seems to be 250 miles and above, the XC40 Recharge’s 223 miles per charge feels a bit light. It is, in fact, the most meager of the competitive set, but all fall somewhat short, with the Performance model of the Genesis managing 235, the twin-motor Audi 236, the Jaguar, 246. Only Tesla manages to make over 300 miles on the same 75 kWh battery.

Shorter range means more frequent charging. The Volvo’s estimate of 7 hours to charge from 10% to 80% on 240 volt (most often used for Level 2 home chargers) and 31 minutes on DC fast chargers, but it beats the Audi’s 9 hours and the Jaguar’s 10 hours, but all are completely overshadowed by the Genesis’ 800 volt charging system, which allows for DC fast charging in as little as 18 minutes. Tesla also is quicker with its Supercharger system. 

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 12/15

Volvo built a lot of its reputation on safety, and as such, the XC40 Recharge comes with most essential active safety features as standard equipment. One glaring exception to that is Volvo’s decision to make adaptive cruise control available only on the Ultimate model, at a price $5,950 above the base Core model. That price also brings Pilot Assist, Volvo’s limited self-driving system, and a Harman Kardon Premium sound system, but at a time when cars with base prices in the $20,000 range can manage to make adaptive cruise control standard, this is a serious demerit.

The XC40 Recharge has good overall crash test ratings from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), but the Recharge has not been crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but its gasoline sibling received a top five-star grade. That’s the same as the Audi, but not as good as the Genesis, which is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, the highest award. 

Comfort & Room: 11/15

With a wheelbase 2.3 inches shorter than its nearest competitor (the Audi Q4), 7.8 inches shy of the GV60 (and about the same against the Model Y) and 11.3 inches less than the I-Pace, it’s no surprise that the XC40 Recharge doesn’t win in rear-seat legroom. What is a surprise is that the Volvo isn’t dead last and the margins aren’t all that big. With 36.1 inches of rear seat legroom that puts it ahead of the Jag, which squanders its 11.3-inch advantage between the front and rear wheels, only providing 35 inches for the folks in the back. The Audi with 38.3 inches of rear legroom and Tesla with 40.5 inches are the clear winners, while the Genesis is runner-up with 37.6 inches.

Volvo continues to supply driver and front passenger with well-built, exceptionally supportive front seats that fend off fatigue on long drives. 

Infotainment: 12/15

The XC40 Recharge features a configurable digital display in front of the driver, with speedometer and power meters on either side of a rectangular center display that can show navigation, infotainment, trip information and other data. 

The 9-inch portrait-oriented center touchscreen controls virtually all but the most basic vehicle functions. Even the owner’s manual is inside the screen. Seeing all the functions requires swiping through at least three screens. Switching to a different function (say, from music or navigation to climate control) is not something that can be done without taking your eyes off the road to look at the screen. 

Volvo is introducing Google built-in as its infotainment operating system in the XC40 Recharge this year. It had begun the switch in other models in 2022. It is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Google system integrates Google apps like Assistant, Maps and Play and uses voice control for vehicle functions like climate control. One caveat is that the Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play Store is free for only the first four years of ownership, after which it becomes a subscription-based feature.

The base audio system has eight speakers, with Ultimate trim buyers treated to a 13-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system with subwoofer.

Cargo Space & Storage: 12/15

When it comes to cargo space, the XC40 Recharge is in some ways lacking but in others aligned with most of the competition. With the rear seats in place, the Volvo’s cargo capacity is only 16 cubic-feet, well behind 24 for the Genesis, 24.8 for the Audi and 25 for the Jaguar and the most spacious 30 for the Model Y. But folding the rear seat down puts the XC40 in the lead by a wide margin: 57.5 cubic-feet  to the Jaguar’s 55.1, the Genesis’ 54.7 and the Audi’s 53.1. Once again the Tesla stomps on the competition with 76.2 cubes.

The Volvo also has limited additional storage space up front. It’s not a full-fledged front trunk, or frunk, but under the hood, there’s a clamshell covered compartment with space for some smaller items next to the back-up 110 volt charging cord.

Style & Design: 7/10

The XC40 Recharge’s styling is boxy and utilitarian, softened a bit by large, bold wheels and, in most paint colors, a contrasting black roof and black rocker panels. Even though “boxy” and “Volvo” were synonymous for decades, on the XC40’s small scale it conveys an econobox feel that’s tough to reconcile with the Volvo’s price tag. This year’s modest changes were meant to soften the look to align more with its C40 Recharge cousin. 

It’s inside where the XC40 Recharge dominates in style with a clean, contemporary design and top materials like Nappa leather, genuine metal trim and a leather-topped shifter. Compared to the fairly basic Model Y interior, the Recharge looks like an impressive SUV.

Is the 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge Worth It? Which XC40 Recharge Is the Best Value?

The base price for the Volvo XC40 Recharge Core is $55,740 (including destination). All XC40 Recharges have the same battery and twin electric motors. The Core model comes standard with rear park assist, blind spot information, cross-traffic alert, an eight-speaker audio system and a power tailgate.

The mid-level Plus model ($58,440) adds a laminated panoramic moonroof with a power sunshade, a 360-degree camera and fog lights. 

The top-of-the-line Ultimate ($61,690) folds in the Harman Kardon premium audio system, Volvo’s Pilot Assist limited self-driving feature and adaptive cruise control. 

Given that the adaptive cruise control is not available on Plus or Core models even as an extra-cost option, our only possible choice is the Ultimate. It’s a grudging choice, though—and if ACC were available a la carte on the mid-range Plus model, that would be our pick.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge?

The XC40 Recharge’s insurance costs are similar to many of its competitors. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium of $2,759, though this averages all 50 states. Notably, that’s about $900 more than the gas-powered XC40. That compares to $2,800 for the Genesis GV60, around $3,000 for the Audi Q4 e-tron and the higher $3,100 for the Tesla Model Y. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.