Volvo XC40 Recharge Single-motor review, first drive

Volvo has quickly reacted to the entry of Asian manufacturers into the electric SUV space rounding off their XC40 Recharge range with this single-motor variant that now positions the electric XC40 alluringly close to the alternatives. As part of the barter then, the customer gets one less motor (as the name suggests)and a smaller 69kWh battery pack. The good thing is, that since the powertrain now draws less on power, the range has effectively stayed the same. The E60 gets a WLTP-rated range of 475km, which should translate to at least 400km in the real world. An even more attractive proposition is when you realise that Volvo has kept most of the components from the range-topping E80, meaning that you still get the 150kW DC fast-charging capability, and a 22kW home wall box should charge fully in 4 hours.

Let’s be clear, the twin-motor XC40 Recharge is quick. I mean quick like it has no business to be, 4.8 seconds from a stand-still to 100kmph is a little more than what you’d call aggressive for an otherwise very tweed Volvo compact SUV. That’s 0.6 seconds quicker than the base Porsche Taycan! It’s incredibly fun, but I don’t think it’s something that is going to have a massive use case with Volvo’s target audience. In comparison, I think the E60 is more sensible. 7.3 seconds to a ton from a standstill is exactly right. It’s still quick but it’s also much more efficient.

Power goes to the rear wheels, but get any ideas that have popped into your head out right away, because Volvo’s onboard electronics suite has a very Swede sense of humour and will immediately shut down any attempts you make to push the rear, which in some ways makes it very safe as well, even if you aren’t used to 238bhp and 420Nm of peak torque kicking in from zero on the rear wheels and road surfaces get slippery.

As you might have concluded, the E60 is also significantly lighter than the E80 thanks to a lighter drivetrain and battery. This makes a significant difference in the way it handles, direction changes are quicker and it feels more at ease to steer at low speeds. There is an option to firm up the steering wheel although it does end up feeling a little artificial. The lighter kerb also