XC40 Recharge is a super fast SUV that won’t get you tired even on long journeys [Impressions]

It’s a comfortable ride that you can ride for hours without getting tired, just open the window a little and a pleasant breeze comes in, the size is easy to ride, it’s quiet, but it accelerates extremely fast and has good loading capacity.

Volvo’s EV crossover XC40 Recharge, which costs about 7 million yen, is such a car.

The character is clearly different from C40 Recharge.

The XC40 is an all-purpose car that emphasizes comfort, and the C40 Recharge is an SUV version of the electric GT-R.

Everything about the interior and exterior
Actual driving report
The following people would like to recommend this car (there is also a comparison with the C40)
Dissatisfied points/Weaknesses due to being an SUV
About the specifications, specifications and grade of the test vehicle

Everything about the interior and exterior

The interior seems to have been made using a lot of recycled materials. Considering the new car price is 7 million yen, it doesn’t feel like it’s a bit lacking, but personally I think it’s elegant.

Unique usability with no engine start button

This car has a unique way of being used. There is no push start button to start/stop.

Pulling the doorknob unlocks the door normally, but all you have to do is step on the brake pedal and put it in D, and when you release the brake, it starts .

Once you start moving, check your surroundings and fasten your seatbelt. You can start smoothly.

Conversely, if you want to turn off the engine and get out, just press the P button, get out, and lock the door .

It seems like the lock automatically locks when you leave it without having to press the key button. So, to be extreme, just close the door and walk away.

Once you get used to it, you can start driving as soon as you get in, so it’s efficient, but I think it’s a bit too simplified for a car that can easily put people’s lives at risk.

This affordability doesn’t sit well with me, but I guess it’s just a matter of getting used to it…

Rather, to press the button, I bend my body or put my finger in a place where I can’t see it. this behavior will be considered inefficient and stupid . There may come a time when

The risks of tools are covered by the actions of the users.

Infotainment system that is compatible with smartphones

The center monitor’s infotainment system is designed to be an extension of the usability of a smartphone.

The car navigation system is based on Google Maps. Car audio also requires smartphone integration.

(Well, for some reason the music didn’t play when I connected my smartphone…)

The air conditioning system is designed so that the control panel can be pulled out from below, but that part is so small that it is extremely difficult to operate. No matter what you open, the air conditioner-related controls are always displayed at the bottom, but Tesla’s was much better.

The ability to display a map within the meter is a godsend.

Since you can instantly know the steepness of the upcoming curve and the road conditions, it is easier to make a driving plan and almost eliminates the risk of driving into the road at overspeed.

This is probably a safety feature to prevent accidents.

Volvo’s traffic accident verification team seems to be taking a very serious approach to analyzing accident scenes, and I imagine that in the mountains of Northern Europe, there were many cars that were unknowingly overspeeding and getting into accidents. …

Other things

Fortunately, it has a sunroof. actually open.

The turn signal is on the left.

The fog lamp switch is divided into upper and lower parts with a stiff stick.

The wiper is on the right. The tip is to operate the rear window wiper.

The hazard is on the far left, which seems to be a diversion from the left-hand drive, but it’s not bad for usability.

The front luggage space seems to be able to fit a fair amount of luggage.

Actual driving report

Regarding size and handling

I thought, “Why call it a compact when it’s 1875mm wide?”, but when I got on it, it fit my body more easily than I expected.

The width is such that you don’t feel the size, and the front and back are short and the viewpoint is high.

It’s better for an SUV to be smaller than this size. You can drive on winding roads with a 30km/h limit that are eroded by vegetation without worrying about oncoming traffic.

About ride comfort

The ride comfort is very good.

For some reason, there is almost no shaking, and you can enjoy riding without unpleasant shocks or vibrations that can lead to fatigue.

The reeds don’t make that many strokes, but they absorb vibrations well.

As a result, there is almost no impact on the frame, leading to the misunderstanding, “Oh, was the road really that good?”

If this car is used for driving evaluations after road construction, it will likely be easier to get rid of taxes.

The best parts of Corolla Cross and RAV4.

I don’t feel tired even on long distances.

I can’t help but envy people who can go on long trips with this car.

However, the back of the seat, especially the area where the back of my neck hits, is a little hard, so I would like some additional cushioning.

The second row is a little plain and lonely, but there’s plenty of space. Considering that it is an SUV with modest front and rear length, there is no particular problem. However, even though it is an EV, the raised area in the center of the second row’s feet may be a concern for some people.

Acceleration performance so fast that it slams you into the seat

The start is gentle, and it doesn’t feel too fast or slow when you press the pedals.

However, when you push the pedal down about 70 to 80%, you start to notice an incomprehensible amount of acceleration.

The acceleration force of approximately 400Nm, which is numerically equivalent to that of the Lancelot X, explodes from around 30km/h .

It would be better to regulate this by law…the level of acceleration power.

Acceleration is too fast. If you step on it without thinking carefully, you’ll end up slamming into the seat with a bang.

It starts to slow down at around 120km/h, but its speed from low speeds is on par with the R35. Despite its appearance and gentle start, the acceleration performance is too sharp. The sense of acceleration below 100 km/h is on a level that rivals that of a 400 horsepower sports car, and it would be too dangerous if you carelessly stepped into it.

If safety was the only consideration, Volvo would have been better off implementing self-regulation. However, thanks to the fact that it was introduced to the world in this condition, you can enjoy a pleasant driving experience.

Furthermore, the acceleration is so strong that the front seems to be floating.

While accelerating, the ground contact is slightly reduced, and the steering wheel begins to shake abnormally.

This is simply too dangerous.

As it is an SUV, the combination of the high vehicle height and unsprung weight of the front shock, which tends to lift, and the unevenness of the road surface causes vibrations.

I mentioned earlier that the ride quality gives you the illusion that the road surface is clean, but the opposite is true when accelerating suddenly. Even if it looks flat at first glance, the steering wheel shakes a lot, so you can’t let your guard down.

Furthermore, thanks to the large motor torque, the regenerative braking is also strong.

Thanks to the front tire that grips well and the high stability, going downhill isn’t particularly scary.

About handling

The flat position makes it instantly stable, and it runs quickly with just the right amount of responsiveness, giving you a sense of security and comfort.

Even when cornering with long turning times, you can safely and gently apply load to the tires.

The grip limit of the tires is also quite high, so once you get used to it, you can do bold cornering.

Even with the 20-inch wheels, which tend to have unsprung weight and high movement, I’m surprised that ride comfort and handling haven’t deteriorated that much.

In situations where a strong load is applied, the height of the vehicle and the weight of the wheels seem to be a hindrance, but it’s basically at a level that you can’t even notice. You can pick up the pace with confidence.

Also, because it is rear-wheel drive, the front tires are less likely to lose grip even if you accelerate suddenly during a turn.

The rear tires are sinking while trying to accelerate, while the front tires still have room to spare.

If you continue to make strong turns, it will try to drift lightly.

The movement at that time is also natural.

You can experience how a tail slide occurs by observing how it moves back and forth and changes in tire load.

It’s a ride that will help you understand the FR drive format and make you like it even more.

This technique is possible because acceleration performance, stability, and tire grip limits are all of a high standard.

You can clearly see the movement of the vehicle. Looks like it would be fun even for professionals to ride. Rather, I would like it to be enjoyed only by experienced people.

However, I don’t like sudden braking.

Although the braking force is strong, the tire braking system as a whole seems to lack the ability to stop the heavy vehicle firmly.

From the outside, it looks like it has reliable brakes, but…

I want to avoid overdoing it when decelerating. Especially on rainy days or on rough roads, the braking distance seems to increase dramatically, so be sure to adjust your pace so that you only have to decelerate modestly from the beginning.

The following people would like to recommend this car (there is also a comparison with the C40)

I’m buying an SUV, but I don’t want to sacrifice performance.

In terms of maneuverability and stability itself, C40 Recharge is better.

However, the XC40 itself isn’t bad at all.

I want to fully enjoy both relaxing cruises and hard driving.

The parameters of the XC40 are set to comfort. The ride is comfortable and the sunroof opens.

Recommended for those who want to go comfortably at a leisurely speed range.

I want to have both a capacity that can comfortably carry adults and luggage, and a size that is easy to drive.

I feel it’s a bit big, but it’s a comfortable size to drive and feel around the world.

You can also store luggage inside the car, and it won’t be too difficult to carry an adult in the back.

I often go on long trips. A car that doesn’t get tiring over long distances is good.

It has excellent suspension so you won’t get tired at all even on long journeys.

It’s not lumpy like German cars, and it’s not dull like some Japanese cars. It’s a good seasoning.

Of all the cars I’ve driven, it seems to be the least tiring.

I think it’s attractive that even though it’s quiet, it accelerates as fast as the GT-R.

Car enthusiasts around the world seem to prefer cars that are noisy, but I find this one more appealing when I learn that it can be both quiet and fast.

I want to drive a car that has a rare and extremely powerful shock.

The undercarriage of a vehicle is something you will experience no matter what km/h you are traveling at.

If you feel happy riding a car with so-called “hit” shock absorbers on a daily basis, you won’t regret it with the XC40.

I like cars that are modest in their claims, but have a solid, high-quality finish.

If you can get around 7 million yen for a new car and 4.5 million yen for a used one, you can buy a much more expensive luxury car.

But I would buy a Volvo XC40.

I want a sunroof that actually opens, not a glass roof.

The C40 Recharge is just a glass roof, but the XC40 actually opens.

Please keep in mind that you have to swipe, that just opening the window will let in enough wind, and that the roof won’t be visible to your eyes…

I don’t particularly worry about the problems that come with being an EV.

The charging environment and cruising range are still far from satisfactory. People who know should buy it.

Dissatisfied points/Weaknesses due to being an SUV

A swaying movement (some people may not notice it)

Although it is an SUV, the disadvantages of maneuverability have not disappeared.

There is a sloshing movement at key points.

Probably when the shock was crushed in a biased state, it tried to move separately even though it was raised, causing the steering wheel to shake.

However, it’s amazing that it stays within this range while wearing 20-inch wheels.

I want a dedicated button to properly start and stop the engine.

I also want the electric parking brake and brake hold functions to have dedicated buttons.

I want power mode. Acceleration power doesn’t build up unless you push down considerably.

It’s a great acceleration, but it’s a shame that it doesn’t stand up unless you press down on it quite a bit.

If you open the door while reverse parking, you will be forced to stop suddenly.

This is not uncommon for cars equipped with electric parking brakes, but if you open the door while the car is in reverse parking, the car will pause for a moment and then come to a sudden stop.

Acceleration slows down from around 110km/h

I wasn’t able to do a detailed inspection as I wasn’t on the expressway, but I noticed that the car’s own acceleration began to slow down at speeds above 110km/h.

Next time I have a chance to ride, I would like to ride on the expressway…