The rear of the car doesn’t appear to have gone off the road, despite Volvo’s return to a rear-wheel drive system

The Volvo XC40 is no longer a new car model. Its production began exactly six years ago, in November 2018, and along the way there have been more and more renewals of models large and small. The most important of which was the arrival of the fully electric Recharge version to the group for the 2020 model year.

This device did not receive a very enthusiastic reception at first. The first wave cars had more or less challenges in terms of electronics and software, and Volvo’s high electricity consumption caused head shaking.

Whether it is a single front-wheel drive or dual four-wheel drive version, Volvo manages to easily consume 29 kWh per hundred kilometers during highway driving without any special efforts.

Likewise, in the case of the front-wheel drive version, it seemed that its 231-horsepower electric motor up front was too much for the front axle or at least for the traction control, because the Volvo pulled easily in fairer acceleration and you could work it on the steering wheel. If you have to disconnect power from the car.

No sending fees

For the 2024 model year, Volvo has made an interesting change to the XC40. The driving mode of the two-wheel drive version is changed from front to rear: In the case of an electric car, changing the driving mode is easy in itself, especially when there is already a four-wheel drive version available, which has its own engine on the rear axle.

The new product is also a 2WD version with a larger battery, which has now been tested, because previously 2WD buyers had to settle for a smaller battery.

Maximum power for the rear-wheel drive version with the large battery is now 252 hp, and a massive 420 Nm of torque is unleashed from the electric power line.

The battery capacity has increased from the previous 78 kilowatt-hours to 82 kilowatt-hours, and therefore the Chinese company CATL is responsible for manufacturing this battery.

Perhaps the most important information than the increase in the short operating range is the increase in fast charging power, as the maximum charging power in the large battery version will now rise to 200 kilowatts for the year 2024.

A small but important difference

The actual differences between the new year and outgoing models are very marginal. Microfiber cloth upholstery, two new colors and new trim have been added to the list of optional equipment. Volvo also left the temporary charger, which draws power from standard wall electricity, out of standard equipment.

However, rear-wheel drive has clearly changed Volvo’s driving ability compared to the past. Although the stability control, traction control and other traction control systems in modern electric cars are already advanced, at the time of the front-wheel drive version, they were unable to completely curb this drag.

In the new version, things are different. The Volvo accelerates in a completely straight line and effortlessly even on slippery road surfaces, and can’t really be provoked into a lunge even in curves. The only sign of the scent of battle between engineers and the laws of physics is a flashing light on the instrument panel that tells us about the operation of the traction control system.

But this consumption…

Unfortunately, Volvo still has not been able to properly optimize the consumption of its electric car. The electric motor is still a “traditional” permanently magnetized model. After all, Volvo has changed the all-wheel drive version to a front-drive induction version, which can be switched to freewheeling when there’s no need for towing. In this way, the consumption of the electric car can be reduced.

In the single-engine model, the roll modes are always used only for recovery, i.e. converting the car’s kinetic energy into electrical current.

On the highway, consumption still varies between 28-29 kWh per hundred kilometers with summer restrictions, and at winter speeds the consumption drops to 21 kWh.

During city and urban driving, electricity consumption drops slightly, and the Volvo’s dashboard glows with readings of 19.3kWh/100km after the usual 20km with other traffic.

But it’s still very good

The Volvo XC40 has previously been shown to be a well-suited SUV for this size class, and there’s no need to change that statement. However, the age of the model is already starting to take its toll, and it shows in two things.

First of all, the car was introduced a long time ago, and since then, a lot of fully electric cars, which were originally designed and manufactured exclusively as electric cars, have entered the market. This especially means more interior space than Volvo can offer.

Secondly, the electric car market is currently going through a special phase. The brands and models that came to market after Volvo have lowered their prices compared to the competition and now mainly offer features very close to those of the XC40, even at much cheaper prices.

Volvo has not lowered its prices anywhere, although CEO Jim Ruane promised in the fall of 2022 that parity – that is, meeting the price level of combustion engines and electric cars – will be reached in 2025. Waiting for it!

Stars 19/30

price

The XC40 was a very affordable all-electric SUV when it entered the market three years ago. Today, similar facilities and lower consumption can be had for less money.

Impression of quality

This is still very appropriate. The materials are of high quality and the atmosphere is very quiet.

Driving ability

There are no complaints about the ease of driving either, now that drag has been completely eliminated from the two wheels.

Seats and space utilization

Right on point. The seats are absolutely excellent.

Consumption and operating distance

Well, it still doesn’t fit in that department with the Volvo. If the future EX30 is anything to go by it will finally consume as much as it should in its class.

Entertainment systems

A very good system, but the Apple user is constantly reminded of the system they chose. Volvo thinks this is a mistake, of course.

safety

Volvo hasn’t compromised at all here. The old reputation still remains, and even today there is no excuse.

Comment Toivonen

The Volvo XC40 is a consistently good SUV. If consumption could be made reasonable, it would be excellent indeed, despite its age.