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Sam Charlwood18 Jul 2020
REVIEW

Volvo XC40 T5 PHEV 2020 Review

Volvo Australia’s electrified range has a new entry point – the $65K XC40 plug-in hybrid
Model Tested
Review Type
Road Test
Review Location
Sydney, NSW

Volvo has strengthened its XC40 compact SUV line-up in Australia with the introduction of the XC40 T5 PHEV. Doubling as Volvo’s cheapest electrified model in Oz, the T5 PHEV combines petrol power with an electric motor to deliver remarkable on-paper efficiency. Here, we examine the real-world translation.

Compact cornerstone

We’ve all heard the EV rhetoric, we’ve seen the countless overseas reveals, often paired with overhyped ambitions.

But for Volvo, it seems like 2020 is really shaping as the year its electric future materialises locally. A case in point is the new Volvo XC40 T5 PHEV (plug-in hybrid).

The Swedish marque already has the coveted XC90 plug-in hybrid cemented within our market, and is preparing to launch its Polestar EV sub-brand within the coming months.

But before that, the Chinese-owned car-maker has quietly slipped a quartet of new plug-in hybrid models onto the Australian market: the XC40, XC60, S60 and V60.

Anchoring this freshly-materialised electric movement is the XC40 T5 PHEV driven here; a plug-in hybrid compact SUV with genuine green pretensions for $65,000.

Let’s see how it fares on the road.

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A pretty penny

The Volvo XC40 T5 PHEV is priced from $64,990 plus on-road costs, making it the current XC40 flagship with a $9000 premium over the internal-combustion T5 R-Design.

The T5 PHEV is set to be exceeded in price by the battery-electric version of the Volvo XC40, the Recharge Pure Electric, when it arrives around mid-2021.

Currently, the three-variant Volvo XC40 range starts at $46,990 and tops out at $56,990 plus on-road costs, and is powered exclusively by an orthodox 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine.

The XC40 plug-in hybrid gets as standard 20-inch wheels, cloth seats (power-adjustable up front), dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming rear and wing mirrors, cooled glove box, keyless entry and start, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors and an automatic tailgate.

Infotainment functions are facilitated by a 9.0-inch vertical touch-screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Elsewhere, there’s wireless phone charging, satellite navigation, digital radio, Bluetooth and three USB ports dotted across the cabin.

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Logical electrified competition for the XC40 PHEV include the $57,200 MINI Cooper Countryman PHEV and upper models of the Lexus UX 250 (non plug-in) hybrid range, while the pure-electric Hyundai Kona is priced marginally higher at $60K-plus.

There are quite a few PHEV and hybrid SUVs that undercut the XC40 on price, including the top-selling Toyota RAV4, but on the flipside the plug-in XC40 is the cheapest electrified Volvo you can buy.

As mentioned, Volvo already offers plug-in hybrid versions of the XC60 and XC90 SUVs and S60 and V60 passenger cars in Australia, with pricing starting at $84,990 for the S60 R-Design PHEV.

To be backed by an incoming five-year/unlimited kilometre factory warranty in Australia, the XC40 T5 PHEV is available with Volvo’s up-front service plan, a three-year/45,000km provision priced at $1595 (spaced across 12-month/15,000km intervals).
The XC40 is fitted with a space-saver spare tyre.

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Safety first

Like any new Volvo offered in Australia, the standard suite of safety technology here is first-class.

The XC40 T5 PHEV offers Volvo’s City Safety (autonomous emergency braking) tech, which comprises pedestrian, vehicle, large animal and cyclist detection and collision mitigation system with brake and steering support.

There’s also a driver alert function, lane-keeping aid, adjustable speed-limiter, oncoming lane mitigation, blind sport monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, front and rear collision warning, run off-road mitigation, hill start assist, hill descent control and a full suite of airbags.

On the topic of little ones, the XC40 is equipped with ISOFIX attachment points on the rear outbound seats along with seatbelt reminders for all pews.

It officially boasts a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Pricing and Features
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What’s under the bonnet?

One of the most redeeming features is the electrified XC40 sandwiches its entire hybrid drivetrain under the bonnet, so there’s no immediate compromise in terms of boot space, which measures 460 litres.

The Volvo XC40 T5 PHEV combines a 132kW/265Nm 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder petrol engine with a 60kW/160Nm electric motor fed by a 10.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The combined 195kW output drives the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. A 46km driving range is claimed, along with a WLTP-rated 2.0L/100km fuel consumption average.

In terms of emissions, the XC40 boasts an incredible on-paper claim of 50g/km CO2, which is less than one-third of Australia’s current fleet emissions average.

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The XC40 features a 48-litre fuel tank, which theoretically enables a circa-500km range on petrol power alone; much more when augmented by electric power.

Volvo also claims a decent 7.3sec dash to 100km/h and a top speed of 204km/h.

Fast-charging the battery takes a minimum 2.5 hours, while a conventional three-pin plug takes between 3.5 and six hours.

The XC40 plug-in hybrid rides on MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear-end.

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Swede sanctuary

Slipping into the driver’s chair, the XC40 PHEV feels much like any other Volvo. Believe us, that’s a good thing.

The cabin is a well-resolved combination of aesthetically-appealing Scandi design, modern technology and incidental storage. Above all else, though, the XC40’s cabin is comfortable and, in the presence of other compact SUVs, generously proportioned.

Front row accommodation is strong, with comfortable chairs, cavernous door pockets and a sound arrangement of compartments. Soft-touch materials adorn the contact points, with our R-Design trim underlined by a sporty premise to its cabin.

The rear, too, has some compelling features – the biggest one being its space. A six-foot adult would have little trouble in the rear over longer journeys, with rear air-vent access and similar storage options.

On the tech front, there are two USB ports in the first row and a USB-C port in the second row.

Similarly, kids seats are comfortably accommodated with an open glasshouse that doesn’t overlay impede vision.

Further back, the boot’s 460-litre layout is accessed via a wide opening, augmented by split/folding rear seats and is underslung by a space-saver spare wheel.

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Nippy and frugal

What shines most about the Volvo XC40 T5 PHEV on the road is that it doesn’t scream science experiment.

The electric motor and petrol engine co-habitat harmoniously, both plying their inputs and working within their respective scope – which is heavily dependent upon which of the four driving modes you select.

In ordinary hybrid mode, the electric motor does most of the initial work (at least when it’s full of charge), offering smooth and timely shove away from a standstill and giving the 1760kg XC40 PHEV ample low-down herbs for accelerating up to higher speeds or overtaking.

Comparatively, Pure mode will strive for economy by being more reliant on the electric motor, Power mode will lean on the petrol engine more, while an off-road setting takes advantage of the XC40’s quasi off-road pretensions (read: little more than gravel or smooth grass) and hill descent aids.

In most cases, the natural order of events is the electric motor will sign off at anything above half throttle, at which point the petrol engine simmers to life, bringing more urgency along with an endearing three-cylinder thrum.

The petrol engine is hardly the latest word in refinement or performance, but it does make the XC40 a nippy around-town conveyance.

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The workings of either forms of propulsion are telegraphed neatly within a display on the driver instrument cluster, almost allowing the driver to maximise the inputs of either using their right foot.

The PHEV is endowed with a very similar ride and handling package as the rest of the XC40 cohort.

The road handling premise here isn’t so much out-and-out sportiness, however, a surefooted resolve in all situations lends confidence. Grippy Pirelli P Zero tyres and a quick-thinking electronic suite are key to this.

Those traits are balanced out by a compliant ride and inherent refinement. Pockmarked surfaces rumble through the cabin, but otherwise our test example acquitted itself well over sharper bumps and road joins.

The Volvo XC40 PHEV handles its weight well through faster changes in direction, with ample steering weight and feedback commensurate with a compact SUV.

If Volvo’s intent was to normalise the green factor of the XC40, we reckon it has achieved that. This is a seamless day-to-day proposition.

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How efficient is the Volvo XC40 PHEV?

Like all plug-in hybrids, the 2.2L/100km combined fuel consumption claim of the Volvo XC40 T5 PHEV is purely academic – dependent on factors including your commute length, access to charging infrastructure and type of driving.

On our short drive loop, we found 35km a more realistic electric range (against a claim of 46km), and managed an overall fuel average of 4.4L/100 in most urban conditions – nothing to be sneezed at.

Given we only had the PHEV for a day, we didn’t get a chance to go over the accuracy of Volvo’s recharging claims, so we will reserve judgement for another time.

Similarly, we only had a limited window to test its regenerative braking, though we didn’t find it as effective as other plug-in models (the XC90 springs to mind) even when selecting the transmission’s more aggressive ‘Battery’ regeneration mode.

In addition, the XC40 PHEV’s brake pedal offers limited feel and feedback, meaning there is some readjustment required from the driver.

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Volvo XC40 T5 PHEV verdict

In years to come, we will likely look back on the Volvo’s electrified compact SUV as a humble foray into the green sphere.

Yet, as it stands, it’s hard to think of a more relevant green solutions on our roads – especially when charging infrastructure is still in its infancy, at least outside of capital cities.

Like all electrified models on the Australian market, the XC40 T5 PHEV isn’t cheap.

However, the technology clearly works – and best of all, it does so without changing Volvo’s successful compact SUV blueprint.

How much does the 2020 Volvo XC40 T5 PHEV cost?
Price: $64,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 132kW/265Nm (petrol engine), 60kW/160Nm (electric motor)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 2.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 50g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2018)

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Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
83/100
Price & Equipment
13/20
Safety & Technology
18/20
Powertrain & Performance
17/20
Driving & Comfort
18/20
Editor's Opinion
17/20
Pros
  • Nippy and useable electric power
  • Familiar Volvo XC40 strong points
  • Battery and drivetrain doesn’t impact interior space
Cons
  • Price and options add up
  • Regenerative braking not as effective as other PHEVs
  • Wooden brake pedal requires some driver readjustment
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