The Volvo XC-40 Recharge Plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) offers a great settlement if you want to save the environment but also want the convenience of a petrol engine.
But is the new Volvo XC 40 PHEV a great car to own, and more importantly, does it offer the claimed 145 mpg of fuel economy?
The answer to all our questions was given by Matt Watson from Carwow, as he compares the petrol Volvo XC-40 with the Hybrid version.
Here’s what we know:
Volvo XC-40 Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle
Driveability And Performance Overview
The Volvo XC-40 Recharge uses a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbo engine, which delivers 180 HP. However, combined with the electric powertrain, the Volvo XC-40 plug-in hybrid generates 262 HP and 313 lb-ft (425 Nm) of torque.
The conventional Volvo XC-40 uses a bigger 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, which makes 247 HP and 350 Nm of torque.
On paper, the XC-40 is faster from 0 to 60 mph than the XC-40 hybrid. However, in a life-race in the video, it was proved that the massive torque of the XC-40 plug-in hybrid version that makes it the faster one.
In terms of driving, the main advantage of the hybrid Volvo is the all-electric driving range and the hybrid driving mode. The XC-40 Recharge has 24 miles of pure electric range, using which the petrol engine can be shut off entirely.
It also has a hybrid model, which uses the electric motor at low-speed and petrol engines for high-speed cruising. This is why this SUV offers a smooth and quiet driving experience.
Another significant advantage of the Volvo hybrid is its fuel economy. Now, the XC-40 Recharge does not offer the claimed 145 mpg, but it does return a very respectable fuel economy of 63 mpg in hybrid mode in real-world driving conditions.
And while driving solely on the petrol version, the Volvo XC-40 Recharge still offers 33 mpg as opposed to 29 mpg in the conventional XC-40.
One of the main cons of the Volvo XC-40 Recharge is the 3-cylinder engine, which is not as smooth as the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine in the conventional XC-40.
Design And Interior
The Volvo XC-40 Recharge is similar in design and proportions to the conventional XC-40. The only difference between them is a charging port at the front of hybrid-version.
The weight of both cars is different, however. While the XC-40 weighs 1,684 kg, the hybrid version weighs 1,871 kg.
In terms of interior design, both Volvos are quite similar. The hybrid Volvo does offer different drive modes, but apart from that, the interior is almost the same.
Is The Volvo XC-40 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid A Good Buy?
For the final verdict, you’ll have to watch the review. Matt explains a ton of cons and pros related to the XC-40 hybrid that is worth noting for potential buyers.
With that said, it is 2020, and we should all incorporate some form of electrification into our cars. Hybrid cars offer a great stepping stone into the world of electric vehicles while saving their owners a lot of money.
There are several different types of electric hybrid cars, about which you can learn here and aid your next car purchase.
Also, if you are not interested in Volvos, then there are a ton of other manufacturers making PHEVs that offer similar fuel economy.
