Settling into a first-class ride
The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge boasts impressive on-board tech and a comfortable interior
Two weeks into driving Volvo's first all-electric vehicle, there is a surprising sense of normalcy to it all.
Yes, I do have to keep an eye on the battery range as “fuelling up” is a longer process than simply pulling up to the pump, though with a litre of gas here in North Vancouver hovering at the buck-anda-half mark, that's a small sacrifice to organization I'm happy to make.
I'll save my experiences and impressions of the driving dynamics/range/charging aspect of the XC40 Recharge for the wrap-up story of the long-term test-drive in another two weeks.
This midterm review will focus on the typical observations and criticism of a new vehicle test, including the on-board tech designed to make your life easier and the cabin experience. In other words, taking the “electric” out of the electric vehicle review.
That said, it is all but impossible to separate the powertrain from either of these aspects of a vehicle, but I will do my best.
As I mentioned in the introduction of this longterm test a couple of weeks ago, a distinct advantage of driving a vehicle for more than the one-week period auto journalists typically get is it allows for more realworld experiences that in turn provide a greater sense of the capabilities, and limitations, of the vehicle. That increased seat time also allows for more time to figure out the software, which as any of you who have driven a new vehicle know, is an integral part of the package these days.
In this regard, the XC40 Recharge packs a powerful punch, in the form of its infotainment system built on the Android platform.
According to Volvo press notes, “it offers customers unprecedented personalization, improved levels of intuitiveness and new embedded Google technology and services, such as Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play Store.”
I certainly don't consider myself a Luddite, nor do I find it difficult to grasp the ins and outs of using a new bit of tech, but I certainly have not embraced some aspects of this user-interface technology like others have.
For example, I don't have anything in my house that will answer back when I say “Hey Google” or “Hey Siri,” as I have little to no interest in hearing what the reply would be if I did.
So, as one of the big headlines of Volvo's groundbreaking partnership with Google — to outfit its vehicles with an OS that encourages you to “talk” to your car — that interaction is not something that appeals to me. Yet I have to admit, begrudgingly, that the “Hey Google, tell me a joke” feature is a decent antidote to road rage, despite the dadjoke repertoire of groaners.
However, the navigation aspect using the gold standard Google Maps system is, in a word, awesome. Not only does it provide real-time traffic updates and adjusts “time of arrival” to programmed destinations accordingly, it is synced with the electric powertrain. That means the battery status and range are integrated into the selected drive route, which in turn provides up-to-the-minute calculations based on traffic congestion and driving conditions — including air temperature — to create a real-time overview of your trip. If it calculates you do not have enough charge to get to your pre-selected destination, available charging stations along the route will pop up on the screen for you to either ignore or select. Other automakers have systems that sort of do the same thing, but nowhere near the robust nature of this Google system. It is the best I've experienced by far.
All that info is displayed on the nine-inch touch-screen centre display, which is mounted vertically, and can also be dialed up on the 12.3inch driver display.
As much as on-board tech is a selling point these days, and will remain so for the foreseeable future, the tried-and-true trio of occupant comfort, cargo storage and utility are what define the Crossover segment. Two weeks into the test, the XC40 Recharge does not disappoint.
Two sets of golf clubs easily fit into the rear hatch with the second-row seats still intact; the ski pass-through means you don't need to put a big storage box on the roof — both unsightly and bad for range as wind resistance is anathema for an EV; and the “frunk” adds even more storage capability to the already spacious cargo areas.
And as longtime readers know, I consider Volvo seats to be the industry standard, and the XC40 Recharge's do not disappoint. Likewise the gauge and instrument styling is top notch — and not just for being so pleasing to the eye. The controls are intuitive, and after two weeks it feels like I've been driving this vehicle for years, unlike some overburdened models that have layer upon layer of submenus and redundant controls that you could drive 100,000 kilometres before stumbling across.
That's it for the midterm review, and if you're looking for a mark, I'm quite comfortable giving the Volvo XC40 Recharge an A at this point.
Circle back in a couple of weeks and I'll see if that stands up after putting some more kilometres on the crossover, and weighing in on a full-charge range that falls a little short in terms of the competition.