Just as we were due to take delivery of our very own single motor XC40 Recharge long-termer last year, Volvo announced a move to rear-wheel drive for the single motor Recharge models and new, more powerful electric motors that have been developed in-house for the electric C40 and XC40. We really like our XC40, but wish for greater efficiency and range – could these updated versions be the answer?

On sale now, we were lucky enough to get early access to the updated 252hp single motor Recharge with an 82kWh battery and the 408hp dual-motor Recharge twin with the same 82kWh battery. However, there is a caveat here, as the 252hp single motor won’t be offered in the UK; instead, we will get a 69kWh battery with 238hp. Although we were assured that this more powerful version was representative of the
driving experience.

Outside, whether you choose the newer C40 hatch, or more established XC40, the only changes are a new Vapour Grey colour and new 19in aero alloy wheels. Inside, rather than being hidden in the central touchscreen tablet, the range is now displayed in the bottom of the main cluster. A little change admittedly, but a very welcome one having lived with our car.  

The big changes have happened under these SUV bodies, as both cars get a new rear subframe for the new in-house designed motors. As an aside, this and the new motors will also be shared with the incoming Polestar 2. 

On top of the new subframe, whilst speaking to the engineers at the event, we were told they had made subtle changes to the dynamics, such as the camber, to help with the change from front to rear-drive. Elsewhere, the twin motor Recharge gets a larger battery, up from 69kWh to 82kWh. 

As a result of these changes, the C40 Recharge’s range goes up to 297 miles, from 272 miles. Choose the XC40 Recharge, and the range increases from 264 miles to 290 miles. Go for the fastest, four-wheel drive Recharge Twin and the C40’s range increases to 342 miles from 278 miles, with the XC40 increasing from 270 miles to 344 miles. When it comes to recharging, Recharge Twin versions get a faster maximum charging rate of 200kW – which is up from 150kW, dropping the 10-80% charging time from 37 to 28 minutes. Choose the single motor Recharge, and it has a 130kW charging rate, with 10-80% charging taking 34 minutes.

We tried the full-fat, Recharge Twin first and in the first few kilometres of the drive, this XC40 doesn’t feel much different to drive from the first Recharge versions we drove over three years ago. Only when accelerating fast, you will notice the rear power bias, as performance causes the front to lift as the acceleration builds – which is a bit of a surprise!

Although the UK won’t get the 252hp single motor Recharge we drove, even with 238hp, we imagine this will be sufficient for business buyers. There’s still plenty of performance, the acceleration remains sharp, but it perhaps is more measured, and as such feels the more rounded package in our opinion.

On both, the ‘one-pedal driving’ mode works well, and we felt the dynamic changes were noticeable, with a more controlled ride on the 19in wheels and a touch more feel to the steering. It’s hard to come to a conclusive verdict, as the cars we drove were on softer winter tyres. The same goes for the range, which seemed longer on both models – even in the unseasonably cold weather of the test drive. We look forward to coming to a definitive verdict when we drive UK cars later in the year.

Volvo XC40 Recharge RWD Ultimate 

P11D: £56,550

Residual value: 49.7%

Depreciation: £28,421

Fuel: £4,881

Service, maintenance and repair: £1,611

Cost per mile: 58.18p

Range: 290 miles

CO2 (BIK %): 0g/km (2%) 

BIK 20/40% a month: £18/£37

Luggage capacity: 452 litres

Battery size/power: 69kWh/238hp