Is the Volvo XC40 Plug-in Hybrid a Good Car?

While the Volvo XC40 plug-in hybrid isn’t sold in the U.S., you may opt for one of Volvo’s other stylish PHEVs or the XC40 EV model instead.
Written by Mary Cahill
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
If you want an SUV that is great on gas, sets the bar high for vehicle safety standards, and looks super stylish, the
Volvo
XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) is just one of many excellent, environmentally conscious options from the Swedish car brand. 
These days, you may rarely leave the gas station with a smile—and driving a PHEV might just be the remedy you need. As the smallest SUV in Volvo’s PHEV lineup, you can enjoy a healthy reduction in your overall fuel costs.
Be aware, however, that the PHEV XC40 isn’t available in the U.S. The closest you can get to a PHEV Volvo XC40 in the States is the fully electric version
To help you navigate through the world of Volvo PHEVs is
Jerry
, the
super app
that’s dedicated to helping you save money on
car insurance
. Here, we’ll go over the basic specs and features of the PHEV variant of the XC40 and its electric vehicle (EV) counterpart. We'll also give you some similar PHEV options that are available for purchase stateside. 

Volvo XC40 plug-in hybrid

When it comes to PHEVs, Volvo’s offerings command attention. Volvo PHEVs are all about quality design, sensible tech features, and solid performance. 
Volvo introduced the XC40 PHEV, also known as the XC40 Recharge, in 2019. By 2021, it was redesigned with an all-electric powertrain.
The XC40 PHEV is based on the
T5
trim of the gasoline-powered variant of this compact SUV, the smallest SUV offered by Volvo. 
While these vehicles have a strong following in places like the UK, Australia, and Malaysia, American drivers who have their eye on a Volvo PHEV will have to settle on one of the following models that are currently being sold in the U.S.:
  • XC60 Recharge SUV
  • XC90 Recharge SUV
  • S90 Recharge Sedan 
  • V60 Recharge Station Wagon
With this in mind, let’s explore more facts about the Volvo XC40 Recharge PHEV, how it compares to the pure electric version, and what similar SUVs might work for you.  

Pricing

The starting MSRP of the Volvo PHEV XC40 Recharge in the UK is £41,150, which translates to about $49,212 in U.S. dollars. If you decide to go for the EV version, the starting MSRP raises to $55,300 for the base Plus trim. Upgrading to the Ultimate trim will carry a starting MSRP of $58,150. 
If you’re on the fence about the personal benefits of driving an EV like the XC40 recharge, the
up to $7,500 tax credit
you’ll be eligible for by driving this Volvo might be just the persuasion you need.  
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Performance and fuel economy

The XC40 Recharge PHEV replaces the turbocharged four-cylinder engine used in the gas-powered XC40. Instead, you get a winning combination of a three-cylinder electric motor and a 10.7 kWh battery.   
The battery and motor work together to produce an output of about 260 hp. As for the fuel economy, the XC40 Recharge PHEV can travel up to 28.6 miles in pure electric mode when fully charged.
Unfortunately, the XC40 Recharge PHEV isn’t outfitted for DC charging, also known as fast charging. Fast charging can be found on the all-electric XC40 model as well as many EVs from the
Audi e-
Tron to the
Honda Clarity
. That means you’ll need to dedicate around three hours to fully charging the PHEV battery
As for the XC40 Recharge PHEV’s performance, its stats are pretty middle of the road. Its maximum speed tops out at 112 mph and it reaches 0-60 in just over seven seconds. But to be fair, the XC40 Recharge PHEV doesn’t claim to be a speed demon—instead, its focus is on practical driving quality and vehicle safety. 

Exterior styling

The exterior design of the XC40 Recharge PHEV is derived from the upper-level T5 trim of the regular, gas-powered XC40. This small SUV is a five-door hatchback with a sleek body style and subtly sloped roof. 
The XC40 Recharge comes in nine colors
  • Black Stone 
  • Thunder Gray
  • Crystal White
  • Pebble Gray 
  • Denim Blue
  • Onyx Black
  • Fusion Red
  • Glacier Silver 
  • Sage Green
Volvo even offers a customizable two-tone color option that pairs a Black Stone roof and side-view mirrors with the body paint color of your choice. 

Interior and comfort

Inside the XC40 Recharge PHEV, you’ll find a quiet, smartly designed cabin. One drawback to the interior styling is compromised leg room in the backseat. This SUV seats five, but three people in the backseat could prove to be pretty cramped.
You will find a good amount of storage throughout the interior of the XC40 Recharge, from the generous space behind the backseats to ample cupholders and side-door storage panels. Leather interior is available in either a blond or black color, which complements well with the felt door and floor covers, wood grain dashboard, and even a crystal gear shifter on upper trims. 

Technology

A 9-inch, touchscreen, Bluetooth-compatible infotainment system comes standard on all XC40 Recharge PHEV trims. There’s also an air purifier in the cabin that filters out up to 80% of hazardous particles.  
As for driver-assistance technology, Volvo lives up to its reputation as the safest vehicle on the road, loading the XC40 Recharge with super helpful features like: 
  • Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
  • Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
  • Adaptable cruise control
  • Semi-autonomous driving mode
  • 360° parking view
  • Cross-traffic alert
  • Blind spot assist
The full scope of these features will vary by trim level.

Warranty coverage

Volvo’s PHEV battery comes with a warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles — whichever comes first. As for the vehicle itself, the XC40 Recharge also comes with a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty. 

Trim levels and options

The XC40 Recharge PHEV is available in the following trims:
  • Core
  • Plus
  • Ultimate
For the EV version, Volvo has streamlined the trim levels to just the Plus and Ultimate options. 
By upgrading to an upper trim, you’ll enjoy features like a panoramic sunroof, LED fog lights, and the crystal shifter knob we were talking about earlier.
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The bottom line

If you live in the U.S., the XC40 Recharge PHEV is not available for purchase. You could instead choose the EV model or the gas-powered version if you’re dead set on driving the XC40. And it’s understandable if you are — it was voted European Car of the Year in 2018 for a reason.
But if you’re more interested in the idea of driving a PHEV and are a little more flexible on the model type, the Volvo family has several other PHEV options that you might enjoy just as much. 

Volvo XC40 Recharge PHEV vs. Volvo XC60 Recharge PHEV

So you’ve still got your sights set on a PHEV Volvo SUV, why not go a tad bigger than the XC40 Recharge and settle into an XC60 Recharge instead?
The XC60 is still considered a compact SUV, but the 348-volt lithium-ion battery that powers it is far more substantial at 18.8 kWh versus the XC40 Recharge PHEV’s much smaller 10.7 kWh offering. Therefore, the distance you can travel in pure-electric mode on the XC60 is considerably longer than the XC40 PHEV. 
Take a look at the table below to compare some key specs:
Model
Starting price
Fuel economy (gas only)
Fuel economy (gas + electric)
Pure Electric driving range
Charging time (Level 2)
Hybrid battery warranty
Volvo XC40 Recharge PHEV
$49,212
30 mpg
119 MPGe
28.6 miles
3 hours
8 years or 100,000 miles
Volvo XC60 Recharge PHEV
$54,250
26 mpg
63 MPGe
33 miles
3 hours
8 years or 100,000 miles

Volvo XC40 Recharge PHEV vs. 2021 BMW X3 PHEV

For a dose of healthy competition, the 2021
BMW X3 PHEV
has a starting MSRP of $49,600 — in between the XC40 Recharge PHEV and XC40 Recharge EVs starting MSRPs. Plus, it’s known to be a smooth ride and boasts a roomier cabin than the XC40 does. 
Here’s how these two PHEVs match up:
Model
Starting price
Fuel economy (gas only)
Fuel economy (gas + electric)
Pure Electric driving range
Charging time (Level 2)
Hybrid battery warranty
Volvo XC40 Recharge PHEV
$49,212
30 mpg
119 MPGe
28.6 miles
3 hours
8 years or 100,000 miles
2021 BMW X3 PHEV
$49,600
24 mpg
60 MPGe
18 miles
3 hours
8 years or 80,000 miles

How to save money on car insurance

Overall, a PHEV is a solid investment. Not only will you be doing your part for Mother Earth, but you’ll also be cutting fuel costs way down, which is a more tempting prospect than ever before. Car insurance for PHEVs can err on the pricier side, but you don’t have to sweat overpaying for coverage when you consult the expert:
Jerry
When you download Jerry’s free app and enter some basic information, in under a minute you’ll be scrolling through the most affordable online rates from Jerry’s pool of 50+ insurance companies. Once you see the policy you like the best, give it a tap and Jerry will assist you with getting enrolled.
The best part about insurance shopping with Jerry? You can save a lot of money — and fast! In a matter of minutes, you could save over $800 on your annual coverage!    
 “I took a shot with
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and I’ve never been more happy! I was paying $350, and Jerry found me a Clearcover plan at $105. If saving $245 each month isn’t great news, I don’t know what is.”—Wyatt K.
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