An In-Depth Look at the 2022 Volvo XC40 vs the 2021 Volvo XC40
Automakers usually add features with each model year. Why did Volvo do the opposite to the XC40 this year?
Written by Andrew Koole
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Supply chain problems are really making a mess of the car industry. Usually, automakers increase the number of features in their vehicles with each model year. But the current chip shortage has made that more difficult than ever.
Take the
Volvo
XC40 for example. The Swedish brand has done very little in the way of adjustments to the crossover for 2022. In fact, more elements were removed from the vehicle than added.Volvo’s mild tweaks to the 2022 XC40
Like basically all model-year upgrades in the industry, the 2021 Volvo XC40’s new features cost its manufacturer plenty of
microchips
. Full-LED adaptive headlights with automatic high beams, LED foglights, and two rear USB-C ports were added to the crossover last year.The additions proved too much to maintain during the ongoing chip shortage. Fog lights were removed from the base Momentum trim for 2022 while the second-to-top R-Design trim lost the compass built into its rear view mirror.
The only added feature to the XC40 this year went to the R-Design. Its new wireless device charger will more than make up for the lost compass. Still, the changes made to the crossover is a short list compared to past upgrades.
MORE: BMW X1 vs. Volvo XC40: Which Luxury Crossover Should Have Your Vote?
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The biggest recent change to the XC40—an all-electric model
News about the Volvo XC40 might seem disappointing, but in one way, the SUV is making major headway. For the 2021 model year, Volvo introduced the fully electric
XC40 Recharge
, beating its former performance brand-turned-independent EV maker Polestar to the SUV game. Reception of the XC40 Recharge were generally quite positive, with
Car and Driver
praising its styling and “peppy” acceleration. Its Google-designed operating system was also considered a plus.For 2022, the automaker managed to do much more for its new EV than for the gas-powered XC40. A heat pump was added, as well as a range-improving software update and a new app to help you manage your battery’s charging times and output.
Ownership costs of a Volvo XC40
MORE: Supply Chain Issues Are Trickling Into Insurance Costs
Volvos have always floated between the conventional and luxury segments, and the XC40 is no different. The 2022 model has a base price of $35,100—$1,400 more than it was the year before despite the lost features.
Average
car insurance
for the XC40 isn’t exactly cheap either, landing at just over $2,200 a year. But shopping for coverage with Jerry can help you lower that premium by as much as 30%. Jerry is a personal insurance broker that lives in your pocket. But don’t worry about buying tiny office furniture: Jerry is an app.
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