1999 Volvo C70 Convertiible on 2040-cars

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2023 Volvo XC40 and XC40 Recharge Review: Gas or electric? You can’t go wrong

Pros: Cute and functional design; efficient powertrains; a good overall value Cons: Recycled materials can feel cheap; Recharge has average EV range; doesn’t qualify for federal EV tax credit The 2023 Volvo XC40 is arguably the most visually attractive subcompact luxury SUV out there. ItÂ’s boxy, proportioned well and features the trademark Swedish design we love. Volvo prodded this yearÂ’s XC40 with a number of updates, and now the previously ho-hum powertrains are a little nicer to live with (if hardly zesty in their performance). Of course, you can bypass them altogether with the all-electric XC40 Recharge that shares its design, interior features and utility with the gas model, but really amps up the fun with sprightly acceleration and better handling. Oh, and of course, doesnÂ’t require stops at the gas station or emit CO2. While the XC40 isnÂ’t the biggest in the segment, itÂ’s not the smallest either. This, plus its utilitarian proportions make it more useful than it may look on the outside. Fans of Google tech will enjoy the Google-based infotainment system, but you can still use Apple CarPlay for streaming apps from the Apple ecosystem. All told, the XC40 is one of our favorite subcompact luxury SUVs, and indeed, one of the few we recommend. It has the size, style and quality that justifies its higher price over various non-luxury entries. Plus, the gasoline versions, particularly the upgraded B5, provide stronger value than its various competitors. Even the electric Recharge, which carries a steep price increase, at least provides a strong performance upgrade for the money.   Interior & Technology   |   Passenger & Cargo Space   |   Performance & Fuel Economy What it's like to drive   |   Pricing & Trim Levels   |   Crash Ratings & Safety Features What's new for 2023? The XC40 lineup, including the XC40 Recharge, get a mild refresh for 2023. Small styling changes include a new front bumper, frameless grille and “pixel” LED headlight technology. New colors and wheels come into the fold, too. Both of the gasoline-powered XC40s gain 48-volt mild-hybrid systems to aid efficiency. Inside, Volvo adds non-leather upholstery to the Recharge, and all models adopt the Google-based infotainment system that was previously a Recharge exclusive. What are the XC40Â’s interior and in-car technology like?

Volvo announces design updates for XC40 Recharge and single-motor C40

Volvo announced a round of updates to the electric members of its portfolio. It gave the XC40 Recharge a subtle mid-cycle update that brings a new-look front end, among other changes, and it unveiled an entry-level version of the C40 Recharge with one electric motor. It takes a well-trained eye to differentiate the updated XC40 Recharge from the model that's currently in showrooms. Look closely and you'll notice that the lower part of the front bumper is more chiseled, the Thor's Hammer accents in the headlights are more, well, hammer-like, and the body-colored insert that replaces the gasoline-burning model's grille loses its frame. These changes bring the battery-powered crossover in line with the C40 Recharge and with the non-Recharge version of the XC40, which received the nip-and-tucked front bumper in November 2021. Volvo also notes that buyers will also have new upholstery choices, exterior colors, and wheel designs to choose from. XC40 Recharge models also gain pixel LED lighting technology. This system relies on individually-controlled LED elements to illuminate the road ahead without blinding other motorists; in a way, it occupies a middle ground between high and low beams. While this technology has been illegal here for many years, the NHTSA finished making the rules for adaptive headlights in February 2022 so they're on their way. Moving on to the C40 Recharge, a front-wheel-drive version with a single electric motor is now available in some markets as a cheaper alternative to the dual-motor all-wheel-drive model. It's fitted with a 69-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, and it offers a maximum driving range of about 270 miles on the relatively optimistic European testing cycle. Volvo notes that charging the pack from 10% to 80% takes about 32 minutes when it draws electricity from a fast charger, but the firm hasn't provided technical specifications (like horsepower). For context, the existing dual-motor C40 Recharge is equipped with a 78-kilowatt-hour battery and its powertrain is rated at 402 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque. Its EPA-estimated driving range checks in at 225 miles, and it tips the scale at approximately 4,740 pounds. Volvo also restructured the trim level hierarchy in a bid to reduce complexity and make it easier for buyers to configure a car. Pricing for the updated 40-Series models hasn't been released yet, and neither car has been announced for the American market yet.

Volvo recalls 460,000 cars worldwide for potentially deadly airbags

Volvo and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have released an expanded recall for just shy of 260,000 of its S60 and S80 sedans. Including those 260,000 cars in the U.S., the recall worldwide numbers about 460,000. The recall affects 2001-2009 S60s and 2001-2006 S80s, which have airbag inflators that could have degraded and could blast shrapnel into occupants. If that sounds familiar, it's because the monumental Takata airbag recall was for the same basic reason. But these Volvo devices aren't Takata airbags. Instead, these airbags were manufactured by ZF, the company that builds all varieties of automotive components but is probably best-known among car enthusiasts for their transmissions. The inflators use a material that, when exposed to high levels of moisture, can start to break down and form dust-like particles. These can ignite rapidly, more so than the component was designed for, which can cause the component to break and release metal shrapnel. According to the Associated Press, this material is different than the ammonium nitrate used by Takata. According to the NHTSA documentation, there has been one incident reported concerning the airbags, in which a person died. Volvo will replace all affected airbags at no charge to the customer. The replacement airbag apparently uses a different type of propellant, so it likely won't need to be replaced again. Dealers have already been informed, and owner notices will be going out at the end of November. If you have an affected Volvo, you can call 1-800-458-1552, and the recall number for Volvo is R10125. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.