2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge Impressions/Comparisons

AlpaChino

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You can probably find a thousand review videos on YouTube. But while I have one in my possession for a second time as a rental while my own MME is awaiting a HVBJB replacement, I figured I would post some quick comparisons and observations. For reference, I'm comparing it to my 2021 MME 4x Premium.

The good:
  • Acceleration is actually more responsive and feels just as quick. I think I nearly sprained my son's neck hammering down on the accelerator. šŸ¤£ XC40 has two 200hp motors, and is lighter than the MME.
  • The integration of Google maps in the IP is a massive step beyond a simple turn direction and distance.
  • THE BRAKES ARE SILENT. No groans, no creaks. Both in 1PD and not. No abrupt grab at the end. Ford, what the hell did you do here?
  • Auto tilting mirrors in reverse.
  • The powered retractable sunroof and sunshade is a nice touch.
  • Regen is strong and confident. In 1pd I never had to supplement the braking to stop earlier. I was genuinely impressed.
  • Build quality, panel gaps, everything in that department is solid.
  • The backup beep is subtle, classy. Not like a concrete mixer truck.
  • There is no noticeable simulated motor hum or tone externally when moving forward at a slow speed.
The bad:
  • The interior feels more cramped, especially in the back. No chance you're fitting three kids in the back in any configuration and keeping them happy.
  • The transmission bump in the center rear floor is unexcusable and makes the center seat a no-go for many people.
  • The carried over parts from the ICE model screams "cheap" and unwelcome. The button blank over the start/stop button area is unforgivable.
  • Very limited vehicle info accessible easily on the IP or media screen. Took me ten minutes to find the hidden odometer.
  • The frunk might hold my wife's purse, and that's it. It's not worth opening the hood.
  • No Android auto support, but baked-in Android in the media panel is confusing.
  • Cruise control didnt provide much lane centering support at all, and no adaptive cruise was a disappointment.
  • Very strange gurgling noise from the sunroof area after a carwash today. This seems to be a commonly reported issue.
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Xadion

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I have a 2016 XC90


I ordered a FORD over another volvo

The thing has had over 13k in work since I got it 2 years ago

Thankfully it has a ton of equity I hope it keeps till my mach e shows up
 

MABachE131

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Wife has an XC90 Recharge. It's brilliant. Shockingly quite and smooth in all battery mode. Shockingly fast in hybrid sport mode. The feel of the electric motor on the back and gas engine on the front is def different but works.
 

CompilerBreak

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The note on the sunroof gurgling had me lol, I've had to clean out my wife's XC60 roof twice now because their tiny little drain holes keep getting clogged. Be happy it wasn't fully backed up and then trickles down inside the pillars onto the floor.

The XC40 is definitely smaller, our XC60 is a hair bigger than my Mach E. But for a "city car" I really like the XC40, not a giant compromise in space like the ecosport.

Also really funny on the brakes, I haven't driven Ford's other hybrids but I can't fathom how they messed it up for us.
 

JohnFoxeSheets

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I test drove the XC40 Recharge before I bought the MME. I had had an XC60 for three years but was more than ready to sell it. It was fine, but not great. I felt like the XC40 was just a lesser version of the XC60. The only plus was that it is a bit less large that the XC60 so a bit easier on San Francisco streets. But I was really not impressed with it. I hated the Google infotainment system and the lack of CarPlay was a non-starter; especially since the MME has wireless CarPlay.

All that said, if I need to rent a car while my MME was in the shop, I'd be happier with the XC40 Recharge than probably any ICE car.
 


voxel

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  • The integration of Google maps in the IP is a massive step beyond a simple turn direction and distance.
  • THE BRAKES ARE SILENT. No groans, no creaks. Both in 1PD and not. No abrupt grab at the end. Ford, what the hell did you do here?
Polestar 2 with the shared tech (Android Automotive) from the parent Volvo - also has the two feature above. I noticed how well sorted the Polestar 2 was in acceleration and regen - smoothly linearly from start to stop. Maybe even better than Teslas. Oh, the suspension was incredible too. I test drove one last week and would consider it if it had more cargo space.

I think the Job 2 2022 MMEs have improved blended braking than the Job 1/2 2021 MMEs where it would rock all the time at stop. Very nauseating.
 

minders

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As an owner of both MachE SR RWD and C40ā€¦ They are nice in their own way.

Ford Mustang Mach-E 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge Impressions/Comparisons 114B9176-5AAA-4EAA-ADCC-60C0F87FB521
So jelly you have both. I loved the Mach-E when I first heard about it coming out, but wasn't in the market for a vehicle at the time since I had just started another BMW lease. Now that my lease is coming to an end in March, I started researching and fell in love with the C40 Recharge. I almost had one lined up a few days before the tax credit change happened, but once they nuked that I had to back out. I never was able to test drive the C40 and really hated the fact that I would have had to order it blind, so I guess I don't really know what I was missing.

I found a Carmax the next state over and test drove a used Select level MME (all they had) before the order banks opened and it really reignited my interest in the MME. Placed an order for a '23 Premium SR RWD on the 30th. Now the hurry up and wait begins!

How is the rear visibility in the Mach-E vs the C40? That was another thing that made me hesitant, I heard the C40 wasn't great and just couldn't bring myself to order without getting my hands on one first.
 

Jax_GT

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As an owner of both MachE SR RWD and C40ā€¦ They are nice in their own way.

Ford Mustang Mach-E 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge Impressions/Comparisons 114B9176-5AAA-4EAA-ADCC-60C0F87FB521
Any quick, high level pros/cons of the C40 over the MME? We're looking at alternatives in case our MME gets stuck and we can't get it before year end and Volvo/Polestar are at the top of the list.
 

strangeengine

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Oh, the suspension was incredible too. I test drove one last week and would consider it if it had more cargo space.
Our XC60 T8 hybrid suspension is INCREDIBLE. I sure wish the Ford execs had driven it before they signed off on the awful GTPE suspension calibration. I'd probably not be selling my 2 month old GTPE if they had.
 

Polar

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Any quick, high level pros/cons of the C40 over the MME? We're looking at alternatives in case our MME gets stuck and we can't get it before year end and Volvo/Polestar are at the top of the list.
I own the base Select standard range rear wheel drive MME - the low of the low spec. No bells and or whistles.

It still has auto follow cruise and lane keep - which in my opinion after driving both cars on many commutes (far far more on the MachE (18k miles)) it is a much better system on the Mustang. The lane keep is much smoother; and mine is not prepped for Fordā€™s BlueCruise. There is also a button to turn lane keep off and on from the steering wheel on the MachE - which I would appreciate as the lane keep on the C40 can kick on at shit times.

My MachE came in at $43k - so I hit my state tax credit (no sales tax on 25k of the car - saved a bit over $2500 on that). Also got the fed tax credit so all said and done it was less than $40k total.

For the price over all the MachE felt like a steal compared to the Volvo. The C40 is certainly faster than my spec; but the MachE handles better in my opinion. The C40 headlights (even missing ABL) are significantly better than my LED reflectors. The heat pump in the C40 will likely make winter range hit far far less than what my MachE took. So both have their advantages. And donā€™t get me wrong - I do like both cars.

Two annoyances - the rear visibility on the C40 is shit (keep the rear headrests folded!) and Iā€™m so used to no key at all for the MachE having to have one again for the C40 (even though itā€™s ā€œsit and driveā€) is irksome.
 

Jax_GT

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I own the base Select standard range rear wheel drive MME - the low of the low spec. No bells and or whistles.

SNIP
Thank you!
 

Guss-E 2021

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I think the Job 2 2022 MMEs have improved blended braking than the Job 1/2 2021 MMEs where it would rock all the time at stop. Very nauseating.
I have an April 2022 built MME Premium. I have not noticed any rocking whilst breaking. The adaptive CC breaking is quite smooth and even 99% of the time. Only if coming over a hill to a stopped car ahead does the car get suprided and panic brakes. But at least it does brake!
 

Guss-E 2021

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As an owner of both MachE SR RWD and C40ā€¦ They are nice in their own way.

Ford Mustang Mach-E 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge Impressions/Comparisons 114B9176-5AAA-4EAA-ADCC-60C0F87FB521
Yeah because neither one is an ICEV šŸ˜‰
 
 




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