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The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is pretty much everything you'd expect a Volvo full-EV model to be and continued to evolve in this 2023-2024-era form. By 2013, the base single motor front-driven version had been replaced by a rear-driven variant with longer range - and the dual motor AWD model got a larger battery, so went further too. The drawback from new was premium pricing but otherwise, a lot of boxes were ticked here. If you're looking for a pre-EX40-era XC40 EV, this '23-plate version's worth stretching to.
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Detailed ratings
Compact Full Electric Cars
History
Electrification is the biggest change the motor industry has seen in decades. Which for Volvo, made the introduction of its very first full-EV, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, one of the most significant milestones in this Swedish brand's history. It first arrived in Twin Motor form in 2019, gained a more accessible Single Motor variant in 2021 and then in Spring 2023, was fundamentally re-engineered to create the car we're going to look at here.
This update saw some really far-reaching changes; a switch from front to rear-wheel drive for the base 'Single Motor' version; and different front and rear e-motors for the 'Twin Motor' version. Plus faster charging times and higher EV driving range figures across the line-up. The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric continued in this form until Spring 2024, when it was re-badged as the 'EX40'. It's the 2023-2024-era XC40 Pure Electric models though, that we look at here.
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What you get
The main visual difference marking out this Recharge Pure Electric XC40 model from its combustion counterpart is its blanked-off front grille, which is rarely a great adornment for an EV - and isn't here, despite changes in 2022 which saw this grille plate get a subtle frameless redesign. The bumper got a subtle restyle at the same time, gaining rocket-shaped corner cut-outs. Otherwise, with this Spring 2023 update, things remained as they had been at this model's 2021 launch. There was the usual 'robot-inspired' styling, plus a clamshell bonnet and piercing 'Thor's Hammer' LED headlights, that by this point had been embellished with state-of-the-art pixel LED light technology.
You might do better identifying this Volvo's Zero Emissions BEV status at the rear; there's an identifying badge and of course, tail pipes are absent. Like any other XC40, this one rides on the brand's 'Compact Modular Architecture' platform, which is why it rolled down the same Ghent factory production line as its combustion-fuelled range stablemates.
At the wheel, you get the usual cool Scandinavian vibe that by 2023 had helped to make this the best selling premium-badged compact SUV of its kind. Which means digital dials, a dose of Swedish minimalism and door bins bigger than any you'll have ever seen (because the door cards don't have to accommodate big audio speakers). The two screens do of course incorporate specific EV features. The 12.3-inch 'Progressive Driver Display' you view through the 3-spoke wheel has a speed meter on the left and a drive meter on the right, the latter showing you whether you're using battery charge or regenerating it. And the 9-inch centre console portrait touch screen can show a location map with marked charging points, along with charging and 'Driving' sections, the latter allowing you to select a 'One Pedal Drive' option that maximises the effect of regenerative braking. For this updated model, this central monitor also showcased Volvo's Android infotainment set-up which includes worldwide navigation to Google Maps, advanced voice recognition by Google Assistant and access to the Google Play Store for a range of in-car apps.
The rear of the cabin is exactly as it would be in any other XC40 and headroom remains generous, even though the system battery pack is sitting right below your feet. Even the top model's panoramic glass roof shouldn't compromise head space too much unless you're exceptionally lanky. We're not so keen on the way that the angled style of the rear C-pillar might create something of a claustrophobic feel in the back for younger folk; if you've children, take them along on the test drive to make sure they'll be happy there.
The central positioning of that battery pack means that boot space isn't compromised either. The standard powered tailgate rises to reveal 452-litres of it. There are some really nice convenience touches in the cargo area, principally a neat divider, which can rise and divide the space laterally to stop your shopping from sliding around. The hinges of this divider even stand proud of its top edge, giving you hooks from which you can hang shopping bags.
Fold the rear bench forward and up to 1,328-litres of total capacity is revealed if you load to the roof. That's only 67-litres less than you'd get in Volvo's larger XC60. Because no engine is needed beneath the clamshell bonnet, Volvo used the space to create a 'frunk', a 31-litre space that's perfect for the two provided charge leads.
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What to look for
There aren't many major issues here, other than a few electrical and software issues; go thoroughly over all the powered and infotainment functions of the car you're looking at. Eventually, when the battery is on its way out, you'll obviously find that it won't go as far on each charge - and when it starts to run low on charge, you'll find that the car will particularly start to struggle going uphill.
If the car won't charge, it could be a problem with your home electrics (or those at the public charge point you're using). Check the charge light to make sure that electricity really is going through the charge port. And make sure there really is charge in the socket you're using to power from - plug something else into it to see - say, your 'phone. If that charges OK, it could be that your charging cable is demanding too much power, so try another power source. Another problem could be that the circuit may have tripped due to a circuit overload. Or perhaps there could be a problem with the charge cable: this needs to be cared for properly. Repeatedly driving over it (as previous owners may conceivably have done) will damage it eventually. Make sure you do a charge-up before signing for the car you're looking at. When you do this, make sure that when you plug in to start the charge cycle you hear the charge port and the cable locking and engaging as they should; that's all part of the charger basically confirming with the car's onboard computer that everything's good to go before releasing power. But if the charging cable fails to lock as it should, then that won't happen. If there is a failure to lock, the issue could be actuator failure, caused by a blown fuse.
Otherwise, it's just the usual things; look out for stone chips and alloy wheel scratches. And insist on a fully stamped-up service history.
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Replacement parts
(approx based on a 2023 XC40 Recharge Pure Electric Twin Motor ex VAT) A wiper blade will cost you from about £11 to around £34. Front brake pads sit in the £67 bracket; rears will sit in the £33 bracket. Front brake discs sit in the £58 bracket; a pair of rear discs are about £87. An pollen filter is around £18-£31.
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On the road
For the 2023/2024 model year, there were two flavours of XC40 Recharge Pure Electric on offer and both were substantially improved over the XC40 electric model we'd originally been offered. Most customers will opt for the 'Single Motor' version, which had previously been front-driven; as part of the Spring 2023 update, the Swedish maker moved the e-motor to the rear axle and slightly uprated its output to 238hp. Without any real impact on performance - rest to 62mph is dispatched in 7.3s on the way to the 112mph top speed that all Volvos by 2023 shared. EV driving range was WLTP-rated at 290 miles. To get the claimed mileage, you'll need to engage what the Swedish maker calls 'One Pedal Drive', selectable from the 'Driving' menu provided on the centre-dash screen. This dramatically increases the regenerative braking effect when you come off the throttle, to the point where, as advertised, the brake pedal will hardly ever be needed.
The alternative is the 'Twin Motor' AWD variant, which in this improved form used a larger 82kWh battery pack and twin electric motor set-up that for this update adopted different front and rear e-motors, with 150hp and 258hp respectively, in place of the 204hp units previously used on both axles. But the 408hp total power output figure remained the same as the pre-2023 model, so performance remained startling, a massive 670Nm of torque (at which point the main motor is spinning at a heady 14,000rpm), catapulting the car to 62mph in just 4.7s. Whichever XC40 Recharge Pure Electric model you choose, charging times are competitive for the two batteries. The 69kWh one in the front-driven 'Recharge' variant (67kWh usable) charges at up to 130kW. The 78kWh unit in this AWD 'Recharge Twin' (75kWh usable) charges at up to 130kW. Either way, a 10-80% battery replenishment can take just 37 minutes using a public DC fast charger. A full charge using the onboard AC charger plugged into your 32 amp garage wallbox will take 12 hours.
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Overall
This XC40 Recharge Pure Electric model is a very well engineered little electric vehicle. But, like all its direct rivals, it costs quite a considerable amount. And then there are the usual EV issues: not only that you might run out of range but also that you might turn up at a charging point and find it's out of order - or there's a queue. Or perhaps you'll plug your EV in at night, then an hour later find out that you're required 150 miles away with only 80 miles charged into the battery.
There are lots of things we like though, about what Volvo tried to do here, especially with this updated 2023 model. Like the sophisticated Google-based tech for the media and Pilot Assist driving systems; and the practical front storage area. The brand's really thought carefully here, not only about what customers might want but also what they might really need in a premium EV of this kind. Which makes this XC40 Recharge Pure Electric model a difficult car to ignore if you're seeking a premium compact crossover from the 2023 to 2024 era that allows you to more easily make that seismic switch to EV motoring. It's an electric vehicle; with a bit more of a spark.
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