By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. This enables W? to receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.

VolvoXC40 Recharge (2021-2024)

Compact/Small SUV
Electric
Used only

£21,032Typical price

Test score

where to buy or sell

The version of this car that we've reviewed might not be available to buy through all listed retailer links. For more options, see our guides on where to buy a car and how to sell a car.

Sign up to unlock the full expert review

The XC40 Recharge (now known as the EX40) was the first electric vehicle to be offered by Swedish marque Volvo. Its styling and interior is carried over wholesale from internal-combustion XC40s, but there’s a powerful twin-electric motor setup in place of a regular engine. The XC40 isn’t alone in the market, and there’s an increasing number of small, zero-emission SUVs to choose from. Read our full Volvo XC40 Recharge review to find out how it stacks up.

pros

Content has been blurred out, please log in to view.

cons

What's included?

What is it?
What’s it great at?
What’s it like to drive?
How reliable is the Volvo XC40 Recharge (2021 to 2024)?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Model reliability 0-4 years
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Nov 2024Last checked by Which?
Oct 2021First reviewed by Which?
May 2020Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

6 Jun 2025

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes
Electric car range

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (small SUVs and medium cars)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of two stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. Any car that receives three stars can't be a Best Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Safety kit

How we test safety kit

We factor in the safety equipment that’s factory-fitted or optional, along with how well the car protects its occupants and pedestrians in the event of an accident. We also test how easy it is to fit a variety of child car seats.

Model reliability 0-4 years

How we test model reliability 0-4 years

How reliable this car is, based on the real life feedback of current owners as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years. A car cannot be a Best Buy if: It's available to buy new and has a 0-4-year model reliability score of two stars or less; or it's only available on the used market and has a 5-9-year model reliability score of two stars or less; or it's only available on the used market and launched less than five years ago and has a 0-4-year model reliability score of two stars of less.

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Compact/Small SUV
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£21,032 - £38,171
Fuel type	Electric
Tested fuel efficiency	2.16mi/kWh
Length	4,425mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,863mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,040mm
Height	1,652mm
Driver max height
Second-row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	11.75 m
On sale date	27 May 2020
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£11.90

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	Recharge Pure Electric Twin Pro AWD
Fuel type	Electric
Battery capacity
Energy required for full charge
Charging losses
Transmission	Single-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Four-wheel-drive (4WD)
Tested fuel efficiency (mi/kWh)
Cost per mile	11.9p per mile
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	0
Tested electric range (miles)
Official Euro emission level	Electric - N/A
Braked tow load (KG)	1800kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	15 June 2021
Test programme	2017

Suggested Alternatives

Volvo

C40 Recharge (2021-2024)

Compact/Small SUV
Electric
Used only

£22,192Typical price

Test score

Kia

Soul EV (2019-2024)

Compact/Small SUV
Electric
Used only

£8,443Typical price

Test score

Kia

E-Niro (2019-2022)

Compact/Small SUV
Electric
Used only

£12,583Typical price

Test score

Best electric cars 2025
Our independent lab tests reveal the best electric cars with enough range to go the distance
How we test cars
Every car we review is subjected to hundreds of tests in our lab and on the road. Find out why you can trust our reviews, and how they help you choose the best car (and avoid the worst)
How to find cheap car insurance
Our 9-step guide to get cheaper car insurance quotes from price comparison sites and how to haggle with car insurance companies to save money

All new and used car advice

Suggested searches

VolvoXC40 Recharge (2021-2024)

where to buy or sell

Sign up to unlock the full expert review

pros

cons

What's included?

How we test cars

Ease of driving

Performance

Comfort and practicality

Euro NCAP

Safety kit

Model reliability 0-4 years

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Brand reliability 10-15 years

How this product's score compares with other new and used cars we've tested

Suggested Alternatives

Volvo

Kia

Kia

Related articles

VolvoXC40 Recharge (2021-2024)

where to buy or sell

pros

cons

What's included?

Test results

Specifications

Best Buys & Don't Buys

Suggested Alternatives

Volvo

Kia

Kia

Related articles