Volvo’s first fully electric vehicle, the 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge, is coming to the U.S. with a starting MSRP of $53,990 and a 208-mile range. Those numbers make it more expensive and with a shorter battery range than most electric SUVs on the market today.
Currently, in the U.S., there aren’t many all-electric SUV options. The 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric starts at $37,190 and comes with a EPA-estimated 258-mile range. Kia’s 2020 Niro EV has a 239-mile rage and starts at $39,090. The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 is on sale now starting at $39,995 and comes with a 250-mile range. Tesla sells the base grade Model Y $49,990 and has given it a 326-mile range.
Audi sells two electric SUVs, the E-Tron and E-Tron Sportback. Both are larger than the XC40, Kona, and Niro. The 2021 E-Tron starts at $65,900 and has a 222-mile range. The E-Tron Sportback is more expensive, with a starting MSRP of $69,100, and has just 218 miles of range.
Most of the models on the list qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500.
The XC40 Recharge is more premium than most of the models on the list, but its range is bound to be a sticking point for buyers, many of which still have looming issues surrounding the issue of range anxiety.
While its range is lower, the Volvo XC40 features strong powertrain figures. It delivers 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque.
The model can charge its 78-kilowatt-hour battery to 80 percent I about 40 minutes via a 150-kilowatt DC fast-charger. Volvo has teamed up with ChargePoint for nationwide charging access. ChargePoint offers 115,000 places to charge and gives users the option to purchase a ChargePoint Home Flex home charger when they buy the XC40 Recharge,
Volvo has given the model an Android infotainment operating system. It comes standard with Google Assistant, Google Maps, and the Google Play Store. Updates can happen over the air.
Its list of standard features includes a panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, 19-innch alloy wheels, 12.3-inch driver information display, 9.0-inch infotainment touch screen, dual-zone automatic climate control, four USB-C ports, and a rearview camera.
All Volvo XC40 Recharge models come with blind spot monitoring with steer assist, cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, adaptive LED headlights, lane keeping assist, and more.
To their XC40 Recharge, buyers can add a Climate Package ($750) that includes heated windshield-wiper blades, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Advanced Packages ($1,300) adds high pressure headlight cleaning, Pilot Assist driver assistance system with adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, a 12-volt power outlet in the luggage area, and wireless smartphone charging.
Single options include metallic paint ($645), Lava-colored carpet ($100), a 13-speaker Harman/Kardon Premium Sound system ($800), a heat pump ($350), and 20-inch five double-spoke Black Diamond Cut alloy wheels ($800).
Production of the XC40 Recharge is currently underway and it will soon be available in the U.S.
