GM Caught Benchmarking Volvo XC40 Recharge EV
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GM Authority spy photographers recently caught GM benchmarking the all-electric Volvo XC40 Recharge subcompact crossover.
The Volvo XC40 Recharge is characterized by a flat grille and streamlined, aerodynamic shape, with heavy creases and broad, flat shapes front to back. The wheels present a broad five-spoke layout and two-tone color scheme, falling in line with the black-and-blue two-tone body. In terms of exterior dimensions, the Volvo XC40 Recharge is 174.8 inches long, 75.2 inches wide, and 65 inches tall.
As for what’s inside, the Volvo XC40 Recharge offers seating for five passengers, with a total cargo capacity of 57.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Volvo is also outfitting the crossover with a leather-free interior in the name of “responsible luxury.” Three trim levels are on offer, listed from bottom to top as Core, Plus, and Ultimate.
Interior features include Google built-in, cross traffic alert, and a power trailgate, while higher in the lineup the Volvo XC40 Recharge offers a Laminated Panoramic Moonroof, a 360-degree camera system, Pilot Assist, and a Harman Kardon sound system.
Providing motivation is a twin-motor, all-wheel drive system doling out a maximum of 402 horsepower. Range-per-charge is set at 223 miles, while the 0-to-60 mph test is completed in 4.7 seconds. The battery pack can also recharge from 10 percent to 80 percent in 37 minutes when plugged into a 150kW DC fast-charging source. Towing capacity is set at 2,000 pounds.
Pricing for the Volvo XC40 Recharge starts at $53,550. To note, Volvo also sells the C40 Recharge, offered as a crossover coupe equivalent to the XC40 Recharge.
As for developments in the GM camp, The General is currently working on a new Cadillac EV model that will slot in under the Cadillac Lyriq in terms of sizing, likely measuring in with similar dimensions as the Chevy Equinox EV. It’s uncertain at this time, but certainly within the realm of possibility that the forthcoming, smaller Cadillac EV will rival the Volvo XC40 when it finally hits the market.
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Oh god, please no! GM, do NOT benchmark the XC40. I work at a store with Volvo. These things are so problematic and having so many issues, that we can’t keep them on the road. Do they look nice? Sure for an SUV. Do they drive nice? Ya, ok. But they are garbage and Volvo is buying tons of them back. We have some in here every week. They are replacing so much stuff on them and the XC40 interiors are not very nice either.
I’m sorry. I know I work at a dealer with the Volvo’s, but I can’t at all recommend them. In fact, we are now having a lot of issues with this new Google based system. Total junk.
Please GM. Do NOT bench mark this car or anything from Volvo at this moment.
GM is going after the best models in the segment according to them to see what they can achieve above the competitor. Obviously, the XC40 made their list to go after.
Understand. But just because something looks good on paper doesn’t make it a good vehicle. Of course, I know more about the Volvo’s than the average person would due to where I work. But there is just nothing great about the XC40 and everything is average at best except for the reliability which is way below anything I’d ever buy. I’d hope that GM has the ability to see what I see and benchmark vehicles that are much higher quality. GM is superior to Volvo at this point.
Hey Jonathan,
Have you ever driven the Volvo S 90 T8? My average MPG with a 25 mile pure range is between 300 to 400 MPG.
Regards,
Michael
Michael Kaplan: I had a 2021 Volvo S60 T8 with the true range on pure EV of 23. That’s what they would generally get, but it was rated at 21 miles on the sticker. Because I work at a Volvo store and can charge here as well as at home, I was driving mostly on pure EV. Over the course of about 9,000 miles, while driving extremely fuel friendly, and charging every moment I could, I was only able to achieve 93.1 MPG over the course of the 9,000 miles. Although I love the PHEV’s and wish GM would have kept the Volt, I now drive a Chevy for the reliability.
Working with Volvo, I can tell you two things. First, you are not getting 300 to 400 MPG in real world driving over any large amount of miles. If you only drive 4 or 5 miles a day and NEVER burn a drop of gas, then maybe you could see that for a short amount of time. Second, all Volvo’s are giving a lot of problems. But the absolute worst of them is the S90 and XC90. Terrible vehicles.
Seems like GM/Cadillac is taking notes in preparation for the XT4-sized EV we’ve already seen testing .
Also, I think people misunderstand what benchmarking means. It doesn’t mean GM is going to emulate what Volvo is going. They’re simply evaluating what works and what doesn’t work.
It looks somewhat like a 2022 Nissan Leaf from the side and back. The companies need to get the prices below the $35,000 mark. The $50,000 + mark will not sell the cars. Will not get the EV on the road, that needs to be there.
I think if GM is working on a Buick Envision EV, they are benchmarking the Volvo for it. I also think the styling of the freshened Envision may have the same sort of taillights that go around the tailgate window, similar to the idea of the tailights of the Buick Wildcat Concept.
WHY?
The only BEV’s that GM needs to be benchmarking are Teslas. Nobody unfortunately is even remotely close.
A Tesla Model 3 weight less than a BMW ICE 330i……just think about that for a minute.
It is insane.