Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 Award-winning family SUV gets plug-in hybrid power for the rst time
First plug-in hybrid version of Volvo’s family SUV produces just 38g/km of CO2 for potentially very low running costs On sale Now Price from £40,905
IT’S FAIR TO say that Volvo has been one of the driving forces behind the plug-in hybrid. Not only was its diesel-electric V60 one of the first of its breed to be sold in Europe, but the introduction of this XC40 Recharge T5 also means the Swedish brand is the first to offer a plug-in version of every model in its line-up.
This XC40 is rather different from its larger range-mates, though. For a start, the engine is smaller, at 1.5 litres and 178bhp, but the main difference is that you won’t find an electric motor powering the rear wheels. Instead, an 80bhp motor is attached to a new dual-clutch automatic gearbox, giving the Recharge T5 a total of 258bhp and making it front-wheel drive only.
With company car tax receiving a stout shake-up to favour plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars, the XC40’S CO2 emissions of just 38g/km and official electric-only range of 28.6 miles mean it’s in the 12% benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax band. That isn’t quite as low as rivals such as the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 and Vauxhall Grandland X Hybrid4 but still makes it far more attractive than any other version of the XC40 if BIK costs are a consideration.
Topping up the XC40’S 10.7kwh battery from 0-100% takes up to six hours on the standard three-pin plug lead, or two and a half hours using the optional £50 Type 2 cable and a typical home wallbox charger.
With a charged battery, the XC40 will always try to start in Pure (electric) mode, which is as quiet and smooth as you’d expect. Performance is leisurely in this mode but good enough to deal with rush-hour traffic.
When the petrol engine joins the party, it remains more subdued than that of the 3008 or any of its Hybrid4 brethren. Even if you floor the accelerator pedal, there’s a pleasant three-cylinder thrum from under the bonnet, while very few vibrations come through the steering wheel. At a cruise and during gradual acceleration, the engine is very quiet indeed.
It isn’t quite as smooth when switching between power sources as the T8 plug-ins higher up the Volvo range, but the hesitation isn’t as noticeable as in the Hybrid4. More of an issue is the inconsistent response of the brake pedal; this can take some getting used to. With both power sources working together, performance is strong, although the front tyres can struggle for traction on wet roads.
As for the handling, it’s tidy enough and doesn’t seem to suffer too much from the added weight of the batteries, but like the regular XC40, there’s a bit of body lean and
no impetus to carry on driving quickly. You’re much better off slowing down and enjoying the XC40’S mostly comfortable ride.
Impressively, the boot is the same size as any other XC40’S, with space under the floor for your cables. That means it’ll swallow far more luggage than the Grandland X Hybrid4, although you can’t get the handy boot divider that we like so much in regular XC40S. Passenger space is also unchanged, so the XC40 is among the best for rear leg room.
Interior quality and comfort remain XC40 strong points. You get plenty of kit, too, but that’s mainly because you can’t get a Recharge in anything less than sporty R-design trim.
So, while cheaper conventionally powered XC40S still make more sense for private buyers, the Recharge T5 should be at the top of your shortlist if you’re looking for a low-emissions family SUV, especially for company car drivers.