Volvo XC40 Recharge pricing and specs announced
Swedish brand’s first EV for Australia won’t come cheapAustralian pricing and specifications for the 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric have been announced ahead of first customer deliveries in September.
Only one generously equipped version of Volvo Car Australia’s first EV will be available, and it will come with a high price for a small SUV: $76,990 plus on-road costs.
That makes it $12,000 pricier than the Volvo XC40 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid ($64,990 plus ORCs), and $20,000 to $30,000 more expensive than conventional combustion-powered versions of Volvo’s small luxury SUV ($46,990-$56,990).
Perhaps more importantly, the Volvo XC40 EV is priced lineball with its only direct competitor, the Mercedes-Benz EQA ($76,800 plus ORCs). Other rivals will include the upcoming Lexus NX 300h and Tesla Model Y.
The Volvo XC40 EV’s $77K price tag positions it closer to mainstream small electric SUVs like the MG ZS EV ($43,990 drive-away), Kia Niro EV ($62,590 plus ORCs), Hyundai Kona Electric ($62,000 plus ORCs) and Mazda MX-30 Electric ($65,490 plus ORCs) than larger electric luxury SUVs such as the Audi e-tron (from $137,100), BMW iX ($135,900), Jaguar I-PACE ($138,460), Mercedes-Benz EQC ($141,400) and Tesla Model X ($159,400).
A key plank in Volvo Car’s promise to electrify its entire range by 2025, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is powered by twin 150kW electric motors on the front and rear axles fed by a 78kWh lithium-ion battery pack under the floor, providing all-wheel drive.
Total outputs are 300kW and 660Nm – enough for Volvo to claim 0-100km/h acceleration in just 4.9 seconds – while the claimed driving range is 418km and the battery can be fast-charged from empty to 80 per cent in about 40 minutes.
The Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is the Swedish brand’s first vehicle in Australia to come with an integrated Android Automotive infotainment operating system including Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play Store.
Inside, there’s a minimalist Scandinavian design with aluminium accents and contrast stitching for the leather-accented seats. But unlike other Volvo XC40 models, there’s no start/stop button.
Standard equipment includes Dynamic Chassis, 20-inch five V-spoke Matt Graphite diamond-cut alloy wheels, Harman Kardon premium sound system, 9.0-inch centre touch-screen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Smart Telephone Integration,
DAB digital radio, voice control, reversing camera and 360-degree camera.
Also standard are LED headlights, wireless smartphone charging, heated front and rear seats, keyless entry, hands-free tailgate, front/rear parking sensors, hill start assist, hill descent control, electric-folding exterior mirrors, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, Clean Zone dual-zone climate control, power-folding rear head restraints and front/rear carpet mats.
As with all Volvo XC40s, the standard City Safety kit extends to Collision Warning and Mitigation, Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pilot Assist and Lane Keeping Aid.
The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric comes with Volvo’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty, three-year/100,000km service wear and tear plan including wiper blades, brake pads and brake discs, eight years of roadside assistance and an eight-year battery warranty.
The Volvo Cars App provides direct access to Volvo call centres and buyers can request a bundled insurance quote via Volvo Insurance.
How much does the 2021 Volvo XC40 cost?
T4 Momentum – $46,990
T4 Inscription – $51,990
T5 R-Design – $56,990
Recharge Plug-In Hybrid – $64,990
Recharge Pure Electric – $76,99
*All prices exclude on-road costs
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