2001 Volvo V70 X/c Wagon 4-door 2.4l on 2040-cars

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Volvo leads and Mini fails in JD Power's Tech Experience Index

New cars are basically rolling computers. Everything from the engine to the infotainment runs on a series of ones and zeros, and a lot of that technology requires input from the driver. So it's no surprise that JD Power has a study designed specifically to discern which bits of tech drivers love and which bits they loathe. "New technology continues to be a primary factor in the vehicle purchase decision," says JD Power's Kristin Kolodge, executive director of driver interaction & human machine interface research. "However, it’s critical for automakers to offer features that owners find intuitive and reliable. The user experience plays a major role in whether an owner will use the technology on a regular basis or abandon it and feel like they wasted their money." The J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study found that Volvo owners are happiest with the technology packed inside their vehicles, followed by BMW and Cadillac, all brands that JD Power classifies as premium. The highest-rated mainstream brand is Hyundai, followed by Subaru and Kia. As was the case with the organization's Initial Quality and APEAL studies, Tesla's numbers aren't officially included because they are the only automaker that has not granted JD Power approval to contact its owners in states that require it. Tesla's projected score of 593 would have put it in second place, right behind Volvo's score of 617. The lowest-ranked brand in the TXI Study is Mini, with Porsche right behind. Diving a little bit deeper, JD Power's findings suggest that the technologies new car buyers care most about are related to helping them see their surroundings better. Camera systems, including rear-view mirror cameras and ground-view cameras, scored highest in five of the six satisfaction attributes measured in the study. The technology that owners could really do without? Gesture controls. Owners who answered JD Power's survey say they don't use gesture controls much at all after initially trying them, and they don't really care if their next vehicle has them. We have to wonder if those responses might be what kept BMW out of the top spot. The TXI Study also found that owners are split on automated driving helpers, like lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking. JD Power suggests that owners may need more training on those systems before they learn to trust them. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences.

2024 Volvo C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge add RWD, bigger battery pack

Volvo revealed rear-wheel-drive versions of its C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge for Europe a few months ago, but mum was the word on U.S. availability. That changes today, as Volvo just debuted a host of updates and changes coming to the electric SUVs sold here. The big, new offering is that both the 2024 C40 Recharge and 2024 XC40 Recharge will be available in entry-level rear-wheel-drive models. Volvo developed a new and more efficient 248 horsepower electric motor that will sit on the rear axle for these models. The battery pack is also updated to be more energy dense, so it’s now an 82 kilowatt-hour pack instead of a 78 kWh pack. Combine the more efficient motor with the bigger battery pack, and range skyrockets past the old AWD models. In this RWD configuration, the 2024 C40 Recharge is EPA-rated for 297 miles of range, and the XC40 Recharge at 293 miles.  Additionally, the charging experience should be greatly improved, as Volvo says itÂ’s upgraded the maximum charge speed to 200 kW instead of the 150 kW it could manage previously. A 10-80% charge should now take approximately 28 minutes instead of the 40 minutes Volvo estimated previously. ThatÂ’s going to make a big difference if youÂ’re road tripping with multiple stops. The dual-motor AWD version of both cars are getting some updates, too. Instead of the identical motors on the front and rear axle, Volvo is putting its new 248 horsepower motor on the rear and a lower power 147 horsepower motor on the front axle. That front motor is only engaged when itÂ’s needed, so Volvo says this updated AWD model will be more efficient than before. Unfortunately, both the C40 and XC40 Recharge AWD models will retain the old 78 kWh battery pack. This also means theyÂ’re saddled with the slower 150 kW charge speed. That said, the efficiency improvements from the new electric motor setup means range increases anyway. It goes up by 31 miles for the C40 Recharge to 257 miles, and by 21 miles for the XC40 Recharge to 254 miles. Other updates to the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge models include a new 19-inch aero wheel option, more paint colors and additional exterior themes to choose from. Updated pricing is not yet available. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Volvo recalls 27,457 new vehicles over a brake-by-wire issue

Eight Volvos from the 2023 model year have been drawn into a recall over software in their brake-by-wire systems. The models at issue are everything Volvo sells — the C40, XC40, S60, XC60, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90 Cross Country, and XC90. The combined recall population numbers 27,457 cars. The problem is that an in-vehicle diagnostic test to check the grounding of the system can trigger a fault in the vehicle's Brake Control Module 2. The fault doesn't always occur, but when it does, the vehicle reverts to its hydraulic system so the car can still stop. However, without the brake-by-wire system, the driver doesn't get the benefit of software-defined safety systems like ABS, ESC, Traction Control as well as convenience features like Pilot Assist, adaptive cruise control and one-pedal driving. Drivers might be alerted to the situation with a warning message and malfunction lamp in the gauge cluster, or a stiff brake pedal. The automaker says it has had no reports of accidents, injuries or fatalities because of the problem. If the car is turned off and able to enter what Volvo calls "deep sleep," the electronics will clear the fault. To fix the issue, Volvo will send an over-the-air update with logic that's a better fit for the Brake Control Module 2 hardware. The automaker says the new code "will be implemented on February 20" of this year, but in another example of the digital world outpacing regulatory processes, Volvo will begin notifying owners on March 15. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.