Being a C40 owner since January of 2022, I have 7 months (now at 18 months 😀) of EV driving experience and hope to continue and keep this fine EV for years to come. 1. Gush at the Fjord Blue color and my next favorite being Fusion Red.🔥 2. The drive is beyond smooth, quiet, fun and absolutely fast (Dual Motor; 408 HP, 78 KWH battery).💥 3. Apple CarPlay through software update 2.2 works really well, albeit a few issues here and there. Always unplug your phone after you finish driving.☝ 4. The space for my 6’3” tall son and 5’7” daughter in the back is absolutely right. Now I don’t feel the need to have a 7 seater SUV like an XC90.😇 5. I am 6’ tall and could slightly afford to have a little more headroom, but when I get inside the car, I feel like I am getting ready to hit a race car rally! 🙂. 7. Time and time again I feel I lacked space in the trunk, but I am proven wrong because I can finish three grocery runs (today: Costco, Kroger and a local grocery outlet for special items). I can stash into my second row seats as well as pack up my cargo hold with no issues. 8. The Harmon Kardon system is top notch, much better than my 13 speaker Bose 305W surround sound in my XC90. Nicely plays Apple iTunes, Spotify and Sirius XM. I have a broad variety of music channels and taste that runs in my family and I can cater to all of them. 9. Super pleased with my Volvo dealership and their ability to deliver the C40 and get it ready within 4 hours for me to take home was beyond thrilling. Loved 🥰 the Volvo hospitality! 10. August 2022- getting a new windshield replaced due to a lack of workmanship from TN Tint when fixing my windshield tintstrip. It resulted in two error messages on collision and driver safety. Part was ordered and I hope to get it fixed within a week. No issues driving however! NEVER FIX A Windshield Tint strip, due to to the defogger/heater elements right in the center of the windscreen. 11. Getting ready to do a trip check end of August for a road trip to Dallas on earth September! 12. Family, friends and loved ones love the color and the ride so far. Nothing but compliments and proudly the only C40 running in a major southern metro! I haven’t see a single C40 in cities like Austin, Atlanta, Philly, Wichita, Orlando, Tampa, Bradenton, Sarasota, Longboat Key, St Petersburg, Nashville through my spring and summer travels! Sexy, Sophisticated, Suave, thrilling, beautiful and a well designed coupe SUV for a family that owned and drove a XC90 for 18 straight years without an accident! 😌☝️
Hi. While I loved the test drive part I did two months ago on a black C40, but found the interior lacking the refinement and quality materials I expect and find in any other Volvo model. Seat wasn't supportive at all and the material was subpar for the EV price tag. I'm driving a S90 Inscription now and love the luxury interior.
@@gregp.7148 It’s a mindset shift to sustainability materials and away from leather. It’s a minimalist designed interiors that I absolutely love and is meant for those folks that love sustainability! The new 2023 C40 comes with Wool interior as an option and it looks great!
@@kxwitt Not too bad. The glass roof comes with a tint plus I have a sunshade installed below the glass roof that practically takes all the sun out. All of my windows are tinted, except the windshield which I am getting ready to tint in a few weeks. I expect the UV rays to be fully blocked out.
My wife is currently leasing an XC40 and loves it. The infotainment just got a nice update that helped a lot. What I don't understand is the talk about the price. If you spec a Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq to this same level, they are around $55k, which is right in line with an XC40. And then you have a $56k Hyundai, which I personally still have a small problem with. I agree that the c40 is too expensive, because it shouldn't cost what it does. But like you said, we are leasing the Volvo, because in 3 years, who knows how far EVs will have come? I would lease ANY EV right now because they get better every 6 months it seems.
Whenever I feel that other reviewers are simply talking PR smack, ”this new C40 has a really cool infotainment blablabla”, i come here. Always extremely detailed, always extremely honest, fantastic. Best review channel nowadays
I’d love to watch a video from this channel talking about the current EVs available in the market for 2022. I’m returning a Lemon Model Y and I don’t want to remain in the comfort zone of Tesla superchargers, but as the C40, many EVs today are compromised for being an adaptation from a gas engine power train. This is the only channel I’d expect such comparison honestly addressing the bs from each of these cars. Perhaps, Doug DeMuro too, but not as complete as Jack and Mark can address my questions without me asking any.
Please Savagegeese, we NEED YOU. Thank you for considering. Leo-I'm in the same bind. Wanting to purchase an EV-but not sure which would be the best long term purchase.
Check Out of Spec. Mark and Jack aren't fans of EVs. Kyle at Out of Spec is. He has a different take on the Volvo c40/XC40. He absolutely loves the Polestar 2 performance pack model. I think Hyundai Ioniq 5 and EV 6 are the best EVs out now overall. But the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 are coming on bespoke platforms, the Lotus EV SUV is coming, the BMW iX is brilliant, the Mercedes EQS SUV is excellent. they're all a lot of money (Polestar 4 won't be as much but it is 2 years away). I do love Mark and Jack. I just don't think they've warmed up to EVs as much as they may down the road.
My ownership of C40 is as you said - but ultimately given crazy price gouging on the Mach-E, EV6 and Ioniq5, the price delta ends up being closer than MSRP may suggest. More importantly for me, it’s built like a tank and doors close with a more substantial heft than my EV6 or Sienna minivan
@@TrainsFerriesFeet More likely the CMA super factory, or mostly manufactured there then shipped to Europe for final assembly, for models sold in Europe at least. Regardless Volvo is a Chinese company now.
"I don't even know what I just said." 😆 I'm glad you mention specifically how clear the text is and dpi. Super important for those of us that are getting older and don't want to wear reading glasses to use their infotainment. GenXers and elder Millennials are at the point where we are starting to need glasses for tiny text.
Mark's final comments are pretty much how I feel about my Polestar 2 as well. The main difference is a different skin on Android Auto which is probably snappier, and it's sorta squished into more of a sedan-feeling vehicle so interior is a little cramped. Range is meh, sound is meh, handling and driving is AMAZiNG. Only felt worth it to lease it since it feels like such a compromised vehicle.
My husband has a polestar 2 and he loves it. At first I had a hard time justifying the $60k price, but after the ev incentives, it’s not so bad. He loves smaller cars and was previously a 3 series driver. But those have gotten so expensive lately. For the same price after incentives, it would be a base 4 cyl 3 series w minimal options. And the new 3 series don’t drive that great anymore. he much prefers his new polestar over a comparable 3 series. I still think the polestar is overpriced, but compared to the alternatives in this market, it’s not so bad.
@@Wasabi9111 Of all the choices in the marketplace, and after evaluating features, performance, quality, warranty, price and rebates your hubby chose to buy a Polestar 2. It sounds like he's happy with it so in what sense was it "overpriced"? Is there a general definition for that term or is it only meaningful from the standpoint of an individual consumer? I considered buying an X but I found it overpriced in terms of my other choices and *my individual preferences*, which may be different than yours. ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯
That's exactly why I would get the C40 EV, like you described it in the first 30 seconds! Increased ride height, looks like a coupe, not a wagon, not a CUV. Just perfect...except the front seats don't have enough lateral thigh support and the car doesn't feel luxurious enough for the "EV" price. But fast as hell (sub 5 seconds). Just test drove it 2 days ago.
I can't justify the $10k premium over the XC40 Recharge EV, and the XC60 Recharge PHEV is far nicer at a similar price to the C40. The other thing that kills this for me, at least for now, is that next year it is supposed to get a range boost to 260-270 miles (but so will the cheaper XC40)
Kind of. If you spec an xc40 to the equivalent of the c40’s standard features they are pretty much the same price. Personally i’d want all the features that the c40 comes standard with
My friend paid $48k for his XC40 Recharge after $7500 tax credit. At that price it’s a pretty good value considering that a comparable Model Y goes for $63k.
The only issue with the tax credit is many people who buy these EV's don't owe any taxes at the end of the year (many will, but many also won't). So manufactures and the government isn't very forthcoming about the $7,500 rebate. They make it sound like EVERYONE will get $7500 off when it just isn't true
I've had my C40 for about a month, decided to watch this video and see the thoughts. Personally, I really like mine. Sure, it's overpriced for what it is, but I'm satisfied with the purchase. Software version 2.1 just released and seems to have brought things a bit more stability now.
@@markwilkens1982 No it's not, it's built by Zhejiang Kingkong Automobile Co in the Super Factory in Zhejiang. Some no doubt have their final assembly in Belgium so Volvo can claim some of them are "European manufactured", but they are fundamentally Chinese manufactured cars using mostly Chinese parts - as to where they are designed that's a bit of an unknown as they can say what they want about that - but I bet Chinese engineers are much cheaper than Swedish ones. I love that name - Kingkong :-D
Mark, I was very surprised to hear that you got rid of your red XC90 after spending all that money on paint protection, etc, and wanting to use it as your long-term camera vehicle! Not sure why you complained about its gas mileage (19mpg) in this video, as heavy, boxy vehicles (SUVs) with turbos (and superchargers!) suck gas. I know, as I drive a S90 T6 Inscription, which I actually do like a lot. (My first Volvo, had though an older Saab 95 wagon 10-12 years ago, and got into this one from a '19 X3.) I would put batteries into this S90 if I could! (Convert it to an EV!)
I bought one of these and did not experience "sitting on top of" that you describe. I adjusted the seat similar to how Mazda recommends, and you definitely sit "IN" it. Just as much, if not moreso than the CX5 and RDX I used to own. Test driving a Stelvio, it did not feel any more "sit in" than this.
Does anyone make one? Volvo was fine with making premium wagons but wagon sales in the USA are very low. So they can't really justify making one for the North American market at least.
I'd love to see a review of the Polestar 2. For a similar price you get something that's slightly faster but handles and looks far better, even before the Performance software upgrade that Europe has. It's also unique and there are no dealer markups AND are generally in stock around the country. I think it does the most with the CMA platform and is the best iteration of it. I'm also biased as I own one.
Also they are made in China, so don't have the same supply restrictions on Chinese electronics that a lot of European car manufacturers have... of course it also means you are paying a European premium for a car made in China - and of course the guy who owns Volvo is a member of the CCP, so you're basically supporting China's oppressive regime by buying one...
My husband also owns a PS2 and bought it before the Volvo silblings were available. Theoretically I would prefer the larger Volvo variants since I prefer higher cars, but this is his car and the loves the PS2 lower, sporty ride. I got myself a Ioniq 5 instead :)
I currently have the XC40, and I'm somewhat considering getting a Polestar 2 to replace our Mazda3 when the time comes. I'm a really big fan of what Volvo has done with the XC40, and disagree with you a bit as I feel it is the superior sibling. That's mostly due to the SUV styling fitting my personal needs better. I personally wouldn't get the C40 though as I feel it has too many compromises vs the XC40 but not enough of the coupe benefits that you would get from the PoleStar 2.
I drove one the other day, followed up by a Polestar 2 and an Ioniq 5. I graded them in order: Ioniq 5, Polestar 2 and C40. In terms of looks I put the C40 a distant 3rd and the Polestar 1st, but the features of the Ioniq 5 did it for me. They were all adequately comfortable for a road trip. My current vehicle is a Bolt, which was meant as a bridge from my BMW 530e to when more EVs were available this year. The Bolt is great for around town, but it isn't a vehicle for road trips - it just isn't comfortable enough. If I can't find the Ioniq 5 I want, I'll be perfectly happy with the Polestar.
Both are great choices. My husband has the PS2 and he loves it. But it’s too claustrophobic and noisy for me. I love relaxed hwy cruisers and the Ioniq 5 works for me. It’s airy and quiet. But I occasionally takes the PS2 when I want something a little sportier around town:)
Many consumers would have ranked them the same; others would have ranked them differently. It all comes down to personal preferences. I am reminded of that whenever I see a Pontiac Aztec in some putrid colour. Of all the choices available at the time of purchase someone selected that car model in that colour.
Could you please explain, how exactly is C40 compromised by not being dedicated EV platform? You repeat this fact without being specific. I believe there is no compromise at all. You have full boot capacity, you have nicely covered frunk and very good interior space considering small size of the car. Rear tunnel is not just empty transmission tunnel from ICE car. There is battery inside and the advantage is, you do not get increased floor as with skateboard platforms and much more comfortable seating position with better knee angle. You should study more ;-)
The aerodynamics and packaging are a compromise. You don't get to pull the wheels out more due to the space that's needed for an ICE car built into the car. Volvo's next-generation will show how much this is a compromise.
As a 2019 S60 T6 (with polestar tune) Volvo owner, I’m sad that your XC90 didn’t work out - so far my car has been great, but the XC90 is much heavier and stresses the components more than on the S60. I get 30 mpg and have 330 hp. Curious as to why you sold yours. That said, should Volvo build an EV that looks like the Polestar 1 and has pricing that stays on this planet, I would consider it someday. PS- there was nothing wrong with Sensus- I have that with the Bowers and Wilkins 1100 watt stereo in my S60 and wouldn’t change a thing. iPhone user so that would make Android Auto even worse. Great review as always, Mark!
We were a SAAB family my 1st SAAB '02 9-5 sedan with 79k miles was $8k in 2007 or so and I put over 100k on it. My mom got her '07 9-5 wagon CPO for around $20k I think and then I bought it off her. We have since moved onto Volvo she leases now and my husband just bought a '22 XC60 B5 Inscription with wool seats and Bowers and Wilkins. Though I'm counting down the days when we have the room where I can finally get another 9-5 again as a weekend car.......best car I ever had!
Excellent review. Very well done. No unnecessary talking but when he talked it was honest and had a lot of credibility. I have owned three Volvos but they were from the 80/90 period. The first two were 240's and they were great cars. The 740..not so much and it was the last that I have. Review substantiated my gut feeling about the C40. Actually it's quite appealing but the price is much too high for the driving range. Also, I am not in love with many things that are Chinese related. Thank you!
I had a 144 and two 164s and to be honest, they weren't that reliable. They were in the shop on a fairly regular basis for odd problems. The 164 drove like a luxury car and the 144 drove like a nice, solid sedan. I had a 760 Turbo and that had its issues as well. The s80 T6 I have, however, is solid and stable and reliable and that's from 2002. I think the whole China thing is more in people's perception that reality. Volvo was saved by Geely and they lay off of Volvo. Volvo Sweden runs Volvo and is responsible for the good and bad aspects of the current cars, not the parent company. Practically speaking, businesses are intertwined with China. Every car has some Chinese components in it and most of our electronic appliances are made there. I don't associated range with price with EVs. I know some do but I don't. If the car has refinement and a solid build plus some performance, it's worth more. The Polestar 2 feels like a much more expensive car to me than the Tesla Model 3 that I rented for a weekend a few years ago. And it was about how it feels. The solidity, the tracking, the stability, the attention to detail. And that's China built. But you couldn't tell it was. It felt just as solid as any Volvo I've been in built in Belgium or Sweden and I've been in a bunch of them. In 3 years will it? I think so. It was that solid.
Thank you for the review. Hopefully you can get a Polestar 2 and tell us if the shortcomings you see in the Volvo are resolved. I have the impression that they are, even the high price, because the Polestar has a more "premium feel" to it, better handling, intelligent recuperation system and very userffriendly infotainment. I was particularly impressed by the pixel LED headlights. The major drawback is not sitting on a dedicated platform, which compromises range (fundamental flaw) and interior space.
I would like to second a request for a review for the Polestar 2. When I rented one, it really answered most of the problems I have with the Model 3. The build quality and suspension tuning were far better. I'd love to see some longer term/in depth impressions.
Some reviewers thought the Volvo had the more premium interior and feel over the Polestar 2. Definitely the Polestar has better handling. But they don't drive that differently. The Volvo is "softer."
Yup, I lost all interest in obtaining this vehicle when I saw the price. It seems fairly nice, but I just don't understand the price. I'm not seeing a level of luxury that commands that price. Performance seems strong I guess. Is that what is going to lure in buyers?
Since it’s an EV it qualifies for a 7500 credit which Volvo also passes through to lessees. So it’s more like a low 50s vehicle - more inline with 4 cylinder q5s and x3s.
Also, it's built in China and Volvo is owned by Li Shufu, who is a member of the CCP and a delegate of the NPC - and just an all-round asshole oligarch, so buy this Chinese trash heap, you are supporting the Chinese communist party.
@@richardh3587 people's tax situations are so incredibly variable you absolutely cannot just take $7,500 off of the purchase price of electric vehicles. I'm surprised people like you are still doing it. The car costs what it costs, what you do with the federal government is a separate issue...
First time watching, what an interesting mix of good observations and crude entitlement. All the same, I got the message and appreciate the effort to inform.
I can't speak about pricing in the US but I don't find the C40 "overpriced" here in Canada. I have a loaded C40 on order that will cost about $74k Cdn. (before tax). I previously had a loaded VW AWD ID.4. on order for about $60k. (Both qualify for $9k in government rebates). I am happy to pay the $14k premium to get the Volvo. By contrast, a well-appointed AWD BMW i4 costs more than $90k in Canada (and doesn't qualify for the $9k rebate). Even if that model were priced the same as the C40 I'd take that C40 (just me). In any event, I've not heard a single reviewer assert that the i4 is "overpriced". I also find it curious that many reviewers refer to Tesla cars (all models) as "expensive", but rarely as "overpriced".
What annoys me most about the Volvo 2.0 range, is that Volvo KNOWS how to make a great motor. The 4.4 v8, the 3.0T, the na 3.2. All of these would stand up perfectly well in 2022 emissions regulations and would be just as easily adapted to the T8 hybrid platforms. How amazing would the SPA x90 be if it had the old 4.4, mated to the current extended range hybrid setup? It's almost like they wanted to virtue signal by developing these small "efficient" powertrains, when in reality, it's a step backwards.
Mark, can you kindly make a video listing pros and cons of your XC90 ownership and why you decided to sell. I remember the video of you picking that car, and doing all of the paint correction work and protection you did.
Tech issues and the problem with the t6, having a supercharger and turbo charger issues. I got rid of my s90 for a short period as well 6 months, even though the t5 is better realibity wise but I started having issues with auto hold after a car wash. Car seat shakes at certain speed and the stupid infotainment. Where in a trip my ac controls just froze lol and couldn't change them. I got a honda ridgeline 21 and never looked back since
I drive a 2018 S90 T6 - 60k miles, with 20k miles put last year on a cross country trip. Never had any mechanical or electrical issues. I use Android Auto 100% of the time - no infotainment issues either. Maybe I have just been lucky or a few others unlucky? I do have VIP bumper to bumper warranty for another 5 years and a lot of miles in case I stop getting lucky
There really aren’t any other EV’s that can do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds for cheaper than this. And there aren’t a ton of gas cars that can for that money either. I love how quick off the line these cars are. Gas cars can match it but only if you are able to nail the launch.
You can get a new X5 45e phev for 63k msrp with a super fast straight six and 35 mile range battery that'll cover most of your city driving. I get 850 miles before I need to fill up on mine.
No Apple support, what will all the sheep-ple do, LOL. Sounds alot of money for something made for pure city dwellers, good thing they make alot of money living in the city so they can afford it but no Apple, what will they do with their Apple decal for the back window, LOL🛎
I test drove an XC90 a couple of years ago, and when I got in back into my ten-year-old Lexus RX350, I could not believe how much quieter my old Lexus was.
I know what you mean. My parents had a 2010 RX and I was trying to convince them to get a new car several years ago. As prior Volvo owners they test drove the xc90. We were surprised how expensive Volvo have gotten. The 4 cyl engine was rough and noisy and the ride was brittle. Also, these was minimal sound insulation against the engine, wind and road noise. Otherwise they liked the car, but didn’t feel it was premium enough.
Remember when Mercedes Benz went to environmentally friendly insulation on their wiring harnesses? The insulation was so environmentally friendly it started returning to the earth after about five years. Few things less environmentally friendly than a product lasting 5 years instead of the expected 30+.
In two years, he’ll be a Volvo Customer again. They are about to release everything they’ve been working on. And they have been far ahead of the curve. The next generation Volvo is like a spaceship had a baby with a second gen XC90
@@troyjollimore4100 I’m pretty sure everything’s working fine, Volvos had record sales and pushed passed projected sales even during shortages. I mean, they work better than Range Rover… Better than BMW… If you can’t hang buy a Lexus lol
@@Spoolingturbski Point taken! Like I said elsewhere, if you can get sales based on your name alone, why not? They only have to survive through a 3-5 year lease in most cases anyway…
@@parissmith5727 Not true…the C40 is built in Belgium at least for the North American market, and the XC60 I own was built in Sweden. The upcoming Polestar 3 is going to be built in the USA.
Volvo's grill is the most handsome grill out there. Even if non-functional they should have kept it because it looks weird af with that blank billet in there.
I think Mark was unnecessarily hard on the car. Something about the bad experience with the XC90 has him somewhat overly critical of all Volvos in the more recent reviews, IMO.
The ride is really, really good. It's taut but it has good compliance over bumps. I like the ride is this and the XC40 over the SPA cars which have a weird momentary jolt sometimes in the ride and some strange slight bobbling motions. The XC40 has very little harshness.
Looking forward to your review of their "newer" PHEV drivetrain with the XC40 Recharge. We're debating picking up a 2023 XC90 Recharge as a family hauler, but your comments on the T6 have me concerned about the reliability of the 4-banger supporting the whole thing.
New XC90 Recharge (Long range MY23) uses the newer better B5 engine not the T6 one and bigger battery and more power with most bugs fixed so i would think if its the 2023 model go for it
same here. newest t8s make a lot more power and in phev form are basically top of class in terms of power figures for anyone who cares. PHEV also no longer has the supercharger. It's clear that volvo has focused a lot more resources towards electrification compared to other luxury automakers but the longevity of these in-between products is still a toss-up
I ended up lemoning my 2019 Jaguar I-PACE (due to HVAC, not EV components). That was the best driving EV IMHO. I ended up replacing it with a leased 2022 C40. Like you suggested, I am leasing this for 3 years until Volvo/Polestar come up with bespoke BEV.
Polestar 4. Volvo's future cars are very unclear now but they may have something out in 2025. Bespoke BEVs are coming from Volvo/Polestar next year if they aren't terribly delayed. They already are delayed.
My neighbor has one and I was really impressed with the vehicle. Smart design, pracitle for me, good size and the use of materials is great except for the gloss black. So I gos home and built one on line and it came out at $57k. I just shake my head. Again, when are regular folks going to get a good electric car? (rhetorical question)
Sometimes I consider a Chevy Bolt, after the tax rebate, but my hesitations are the passenger safety rating and Chevy's reliability. It seems like as good as an EV can get at the moment though
Volvos are expensive so I don't know why people don't expect an electric version of an XC40 variant not to be. And it's not a cheaply made car from China like some are saying. It's a stout, solid car with XC40 interior, a car that has won a lot of awards. Yes, it's not inexpensive but it's not outrageously expensive either.
12:28 "bridge product", great point, maybe they are going with a smooth transition and focusing more on Polestar for their EVs? Really useful review, thank you for sharing!
They're not focusing more on Polestar. Polestar 2 is a bridge product as well to the Polestar 3. This is a bridge product to the next EV XC90 (probably called the Embla).
that is the build quality? how many miles can it have for a brand new car? How will this look after 3-4 years, a dumpster, that's how. Americans fawning over cheap ass crap volvo is so funny to me
Don't know if you've been able to get your hands on the Polestar 2 yet, but it seems to be the only EV I can find without a massive markup where I live. Wondering if there's a negative reason for that similar to your points on the C40, or if it's worth looking into.
@@TrainsFerriesFeet There is no markup on the Volvo either. It is sold exclusively online. Hybrid Volvos are marked up by dealers but not the BEV Volvos.
Is the affordable "hot hatch" comparison still coming? You guys showed some footage in the Elantra N video, and I've been eagerly awaiting it since. Or was inserting that footage in the N video a way of saying the N is the uncontested king of the segment?
I only click to hit the like button and support the team... To me cars like this are too expensive and boring to ever imagine owning. If I'm paying this money, I want a used M3 or a Porsche. I'll continue to get my groceries in my old V6 Honda.
You hit the nail on head regarding leasing this gen. In the UK esp, leasing say a (near 30k new) fiat 500 EV for 3 yrs and 10000 Miles p.a works out at around £10k. The tech will have moved on and then a new EV will make more sense
How is it that 10 millions people living near the arctic circle can have their own indigenous car industry, indigenous airplane and armament industry, has one of the highest standard of living in the world, excel at many sports and look good doing all of these things.
Ugh, companies just keep making lease-focused vehicles.. I guess it's good in some way I'm guessing they end up in the second-hand market after the first owner dumps their lease after a few years. On the other side that might be pushing cars even further down a path where it's fine if it runs great for a few years and after that ... who cares right? Let the second owner deal with the issues/breakdowns. It also feels like a giant waste to build these massive cars at massive prices when they are only enjoyed for a few years only to pass it on and jump on something new. I hope they can deliver on the promise that the cars will last and enjoy a long life with other owners and won't end up in landfills "waiting for recycling". Considering this car, I'd be much happier in a competitor like the Ford or Hyundai/Kia. Thanks for the review
100% and I’ve commented on this before with others EVs. The auto industry IMO is moving to a smartphone model wether they realize it or not. They’ve gone all in on EVs and I’m not sure that is best. The auto industry has seemingly drank the woke kool aid let’s hope it doesn’t put them all out of business. Probably 1%-2% of the cars I see are EV but none of these auto companies say they will be making ICE cars in 7-10 years? Doesn’t add up. Unless they know something we don’t know like the US govt will flat out ban gasoline in 2030.
Jack; “…the problems with their interaction combustion drivetrains. They aren’t reliable, they are underpowered, they aren’t efficient…”. Oh really?! My Volvo V60 t5 FWD sportwagon has performed flawlessly for over 50k mi since 2016. I’ve only replaced the battery - period. It even has the original brakes! It has very good acceleration at 255 horsepower excellent 8 speed transmission that is always where you need it and on the highway I’m getting 36 mpg with an aero roof rack. The handling is drive flat awesome. Perhaps if you guys didn’t horse the crap out of your cars you’d have better luck. Jack, you might also visit Mark’s 2019 S60 review to update your information.
Ioniq 5 and EV6 less money? In their lower trims, yes, but in a trim to match this, they are within a few thousand. In any event, this feels like a luxury car inside vs the Hyundai/Ioniq products which I think feel more pedestrian in comparison. Saw one at the dealership and the build quality on this thing seems amazing. Those doors are solid as a rock! Pano sunroof is also very cool. Also on the leasing front, it seems to me that the dealers are really fleecing you now on the EVs. You'd be paying out like $35k to lease this thing for 3 years. By 2026, this car likely be worth way more than $27,000 ($62k-$35k=$27k), so why would you lease? I would buy and sell for like $38k at the end of three years. If I was looking at one of these I would wait, because I think prices will be down by the end of 2023 on most cars, especially some EVs. Most dealers in MA are marking these up from the mid $50k range to $60k rn. Like the Hyundais, I will likely wait to get one until they figure out the Wireless Apple Carplay, and a rear windshield wiper in the case of the Ioniq 5/EV6. Wth, Kia/Hyundai?? My Suby Outback has Wireless Carplay that works almost flawlessly.
I don't understand the disadvantages of a shared platform besides less space optimization. Is it really that big of a deal? Could be a lot cheaper this way with a lot more shared components.
They start with a compromised body that has to be designed to fit, exhaust, fuel tanks, electric motors, batteries and gas engine. So it by definition means you have wasted space, like the driveshaft/exhaust hump in rear passenger floor. Less space for bigger batteries etc..
@@savagegeese Yes but this is a transition car so Volvo could have something electric to try certain EV technologies. They've done a lot right in terms of one-pedal driving and throttle inputs. Their OTA updates are more extensive than a lot of other bigger companies as well. Volvo has shown their plans for the next generation EV XC90 and it'll be out soon. They'll have some new naming convention, XC , S and V followed by numbers won't be used anymore. I would skip this myself or get the XC40 hybrid. Kia/Hyundai is the place to go but they're hard to find and dealers are price gouging the ones they have.
Get it below 10% state of charge when you enter turtle mode will change your mind about fixed power train. Being an iOS user is enough for me to walk away but more so than that would be it’s dangerous because you can’t go over 17 mph at 3% state of charge. 😳
A well crafted review as always. Thanks! But I simply can't understand how an EV with only 226 miles of range could be anything other than a city/local use vehicle here in the central Midwest. There are few to no charging opportunities along most of the routes we drive outside the Kansas City metro area. Not a single charging station in my hometown of 14,000 people. None in the small towns along blacktop roads. The only charging opportunity on one 350 mile route we drive is an RV park with household type 110 volts. There are no EV charging stations at any of the pretty nice hotels we stay at. By the way, I've bought only one new Volvo in my life (it was pre-Geely) and it was a rattletrap, unreliable and handled poorly. We normally keep cars 10 to 14 years but we gave up on the Volvo after 18 months.
@@Frejborg LOL, it was a long, long time ago! It was a 1978 242DL that I purchased new in May 1978 and sold in November 1979. It was quite an interesting vehicle although my wife hated driving it due to its notchy 4-speed manual transmission with optional Laycock de Normanville overdrive. Its main mechanical issue was its air conditioner which failed repeatedly. Back then, air conditioning on the Volvo 240 series was a dealer installed option using a system supplied by Volvo. During the same period, I also owned a Volvo 145 wagon and a Volvo P1800E hardtop that I had purchased used. I sold all three Volvos in late 1979 after purchasing a Mercedes 450SEL sedan and a Mercedes 240D sedan. Ah, the memories! (Edit: I corrected the years from 1979/1980 to 1978/1979. I want to be accurate!)
I live a few hours south of KC. You have plenty of EA 150 and 350kW stations all within 180 miles or less in any direction from KC metro area. I drove from NWA to St Louis the other day, no issues. It took me 35 minutes longer than it did in my Acura. I was just being leisurely and not trying to win any races or speed challenges, I admit, but it really wasn't an issue. As far as the C40 I bought, it's solid with regard to rattles at least as much as my Acura, Mazda, and Toyota were. Handling is very good, although I drove a XC90 and can understand where you arrived at the "handles poorly" opinion for sure! If you open your charging preferences up to Blink and Chargepoint (which I don't because I don't need to, and wouldn't even road-tripping from KC), you can definitely find chargers.
@@UnobtaniumsQuickReviews Even an additional 35 minutes on a trip of that length isn't something we're willing to tolerate in order to drive an EV. We're not going to plan our lives and travel around charging opportunities. And for now, EV charging opportunities outside metro areas in the Midwest are available mainly along Interstate highways and there are none at all in large swaths of rural areas. I hope that changes but I don't foresee an adequate expansion of charging opportunities anytime soon. Battery technology is under development that "should" allow full EV charging in about the same amount of time as filling an empty vehicle fuel tank. Wide implementation of that battery technology will change everything.
A lot of BEVs seem to be larger vehicles this first time around. Are they going to make a smaller sedan or coupe? As someone who eventually will be forced to buy one, something that fits my needs is preferred
BUT, if Volvo sells @ msrp or maybe even a discount, and dealerships of other brands are adding $10K, then price may not be that far off. And, you may actually be able to find one on a lot.
Being a C40 owner since January of 2022, I have 7 months (now at 18 months 😀) of EV driving experience and hope to continue and keep this fine EV for years to come.
1. Gush at the Fjord Blue color and my next favorite being Fusion Red.🔥
2. The drive is beyond smooth, quiet, fun and absolutely fast (Dual Motor; 408 HP, 78 KWH battery).💥
3. Apple CarPlay through software update 2.2 works really well, albeit a few issues here and there. Always unplug your phone after you finish driving.☝
4. The space for my 6’3” tall son and 5’7” daughter in the back is absolutely right. Now I don’t feel the need to have a 7 seater SUV like an XC90.😇
5. I am 6’ tall and could slightly afford to have a little more headroom, but when I get inside the car, I feel like I am getting ready to hit a race car rally! 🙂.
7. Time and time again I feel I lacked space in the trunk, but I am proven wrong because I can finish three grocery runs (today: Costco, Kroger and a local grocery outlet for special items). I can stash into my second row seats as well as pack up my cargo hold with no issues.
8. The Harmon Kardon system is top notch, much better than my 13 speaker Bose 305W surround sound in my XC90. Nicely plays Apple iTunes, Spotify and Sirius XM. I have a broad variety of music channels and taste that runs in my family and I can cater to all of them.
9. Super pleased with my Volvo dealership and their ability to deliver the C40 and get it ready within 4 hours for me to take home was beyond thrilling. Loved 🥰 the Volvo hospitality!
10. August 2022- getting a new windshield replaced due to a lack of workmanship from TN Tint when fixing my windshield tintstrip. It resulted in two error messages on collision and driver safety. Part was ordered and I hope to get it fixed within a week. No issues driving however! NEVER FIX A Windshield Tint strip, due to to the defogger/heater elements right in the center of the windscreen.
11. Getting ready to do a trip check end of August for a road trip to Dallas on earth September!
12. Family, friends and loved ones love the color and the ride so far. Nothing but compliments and proudly the only C40 running in a major southern metro! I haven’t see a single C40 in cities like Austin, Atlanta, Philly, Wichita, Orlando, Tampa, Bradenton, Sarasota, Longboat Key, St Petersburg, Nashville through my spring and summer travels!
Sexy, Sophisticated, Suave, thrilling, beautiful and a well designed coupe SUV for a family that owned and drove a XC90 for 18 straight years without an accident! 😌☝️
Hi. While I loved the test drive part I did two months ago on a black C40, but found the interior lacking the refinement and quality materials I expect and find in any other Volvo model. Seat wasn't supportive at all and the material was subpar for the EV price tag.
I'm driving a S90 Inscription now and love the luxury interior.
@@gregp.7148 It’s a mindset shift to sustainability materials and away from leather. It’s a minimalist designed interiors that I absolutely love and is meant for those folks that love sustainability! The new 2023 C40 comes with Wool interior as an option and it looks great!
@@vikramdias5496 yes, saw the online pics of the fabric/wool seats and they do look great. Definitely a mind shift is needed.
How is it in the summer time in a southern city with the glass roof? Thanks!
@@kxwitt Not too bad. The glass roof comes with a tint plus I have a sunshade installed below the glass roof that practically takes all the sun out. All of my windows are tinted, except the windshield which I am getting ready to tint in a few weeks. I expect the UV rays to be fully blocked out.
This is the only EV where I nearly forgot it was an EV during the interior impressions.
The only part that reminds you of it being an EV is the non-standard carpet color. And even then, I kinda like it.
Take a look at the i4! bmw went out of their way to make it like a normal bmw inside
@@shobsickle tbh I'm not a fan of all the capacitive touch instead of physical button stuff. Nice overall interior styling tho
I wanted a true EV but the Honda clarity PHEV interior won me over. I don’t need full EV range though so YMMV
Say TESLA .........TE...SLA
My wife is currently leasing an XC40 and loves it. The infotainment just got a nice update that helped a lot. What I don't understand is the talk about the price. If you spec a Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq to this same level, they are around $55k, which is right in line with an XC40. And then you have a $56k Hyundai, which I personally still have a small problem with. I agree that the c40 is too expensive, because it shouldn't cost what it does. But like you said, we are leasing the Volvo, because in 3 years, who knows how far EVs will have come? I would lease ANY EV right now because they get better every 6 months it seems.
Whenever I feel that other reviewers are simply talking PR smack, ”this new C40 has a really cool infotainment blablabla”, i come here. Always extremely detailed, always extremely honest, fantastic. Best review channel nowadays
I've watched most other reviews and you guys are the gold standard. Wouldn't consider making a purchase without your opinion. Thank You!
I’d love to watch a video from this channel talking about the current EVs available in the market for 2022. I’m returning a Lemon Model Y and I don’t want to remain in the comfort zone of Tesla superchargers, but as the C40, many EVs today are compromised for being an adaptation from a gas engine power train.
This is the only channel I’d expect such comparison honestly addressing the bs from each of these cars. Perhaps, Doug DeMuro too, but not as complete as Jack and Mark can address my questions without me asking any.
Please Savagegeese, we NEED YOU. Thank you for considering.
Leo-I'm in the same bind. Wanting to purchase an EV-but not sure which would be the best long term purchase.
The c40 and xc40 platforms were design from the ground up with EV in mind, it’s just a tiny car
Check Out of Spec. Mark and Jack aren't fans of EVs. Kyle at Out of Spec is. He has a different take on the Volvo c40/XC40. He absolutely loves the Polestar 2 performance pack model. I think Hyundai Ioniq 5 and EV 6 are the best EVs out now overall. But the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 are coming on bespoke platforms, the Lotus EV SUV is coming, the BMW iX is brilliant, the Mercedes EQS SUV is excellent. they're all a lot of money (Polestar 4 won't be as much but it is 2 years away).
I do love Mark and Jack. I just don't think they've warmed up to EVs as much as they may down the road.
@@benjaminsmith2287 other channels might be just fine and I watch them as well. I’m a fan of this one here and I can only dream, right?
You could also maybe…do your OWN research? 😉
My ownership of C40 is as you said - but ultimately given crazy price gouging on the Mach-E, EV6 and Ioniq5, the price delta ends up being closer than MSRP may suggest. More importantly for me, it’s built like a tank and doors close with a more substantial heft than my EV6 or Sienna minivan
How about the screens in it? /Joke ;)
Yeah, it's pretty good for a Chinese built EV - still I'd rather buy a European car.
They sent me a link to reserve a Genesis GV60 since I have a Genesis.
@@Beer_Dad1975 I thought this was built at the Volvo plant in SC?
@@TrainsFerriesFeet More likely the CMA super factory, or mostly manufactured there then shipped to Europe for final assembly, for models sold in Europe at least. Regardless Volvo is a Chinese company now.
man, I don't even care about Volvo, but I love your reviews man, so I'll watch it and give it thumbs up every time, keep on rocking Savage Geese!
Hell, he did a toilet review that was more interesting than 99% of yootoobs.
"I don't even know what I just said." 😆
I'm glad you mention specifically how clear the text is and dpi. Super important for those of us that are getting older and don't want to wear reading glasses to use their infotainment.
GenXers and elder Millennials are at the point where we are starting to need glasses for tiny text.
Mark's final comments are pretty much how I feel about my Polestar 2 as well. The main difference is a different skin on Android Auto which is probably snappier, and it's sorta squished into more of a sedan-feeling vehicle so interior is a little cramped. Range is meh, sound is meh, handling and driving is AMAZiNG. Only felt worth it to lease it since it feels like such a compromised vehicle.
Polestar 3 will be nice. But, it's an SUV. And the 4 will be a CUV. 3 will also be quite expensive.
My husband has a polestar 2 and he loves it. At first I had a hard time justifying the $60k price, but after the ev incentives, it’s not so bad. He loves smaller cars and was previously a 3 series driver. But those have gotten so expensive lately. For the same price after incentives, it would be a base 4 cyl 3 series w minimal options. And the new 3 series don’t drive that great anymore. he much prefers his new polestar over a comparable 3 series. I still think the polestar is overpriced, but compared to the alternatives in this market, it’s not so bad.
@@Wasabi9111 Of all the choices in the marketplace, and after evaluating features, performance, quality, warranty, price and rebates your hubby chose to buy a Polestar 2. It sounds like he's happy with it so in what sense was it "overpriced"? Is there a general definition for that term or is it only meaningful from the standpoint of an individual consumer? I considered buying an X but I found it overpriced in terms of my other choices and *my individual preferences*, which may be different than yours. ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯
Thumbs up for trying to unlock dev options
That's exactly why I would get the C40 EV, like you described it in the first 30 seconds!
Increased ride height, looks like a coupe, not a wagon, not a CUV. Just perfect...except the front seats don't have enough lateral thigh support and the car doesn't feel luxurious enough for the "EV" price.
But fast as hell (sub 5 seconds). Just test drove it 2 days ago.
Glad to see one of the Volvo EVs finally make it to the channel. I'd love to see you review the Polestar 2 as well if you have the opportunity
I can't justify the $10k premium over the XC40 Recharge EV, and the XC60 Recharge PHEV is far nicer at a similar price to the C40. The other thing that kills this for me, at least for now, is that next year it is supposed to get a range boost to 260-270 miles (but so will the cheaper XC40)
Kind of. If you spec an xc40 to the equivalent of the c40’s standard features they are pretty much the same price. Personally i’d want all the features that the c40 comes standard with
Isn’t the range boost a software update that theoretically can be added to the older cars?
all volvos are overpriced
@@brandonbrooks8596 how? They’re upscale fully electric cars with some of the highest safety ratings on the planet.
@@dabulls1g Have you been in one? The xc40/c40 line is not like the upper models.
I love how this format was like a blitz review but somehow also very informative with a ton of perspective
My friend paid $48k for his XC40 Recharge after $7500 tax credit. At that price it’s a pretty good value considering that a comparable Model Y goes for $63k.
The only issue with the tax credit is many people who buy these EV's don't owe any taxes at the end of the year (many will, but many also won't). So manufactures and the government isn't very forthcoming about the $7,500 rebate. They make it sound like EVERYONE will get $7500 off when it just isn't true
I've had my C40 for about a month, decided to watch this video and see the thoughts.
Personally, I really like mine. Sure, it's overpriced for what it is, but I'm satisfied with the purchase.
Software version 2.1 just released and seems to have brought things a bit more stability now.
it'll breakdown soon
@@brandonbrooks8596 that’s the last thing you’ll worry about when owning a volvo. They’re called tank for a reason
Most people that have them are satisfied to very satisfied with them (including the EV XC40).
@@aizen3606 false. I work at a dealer and i used to sell them. they're unreliable, overpriced, boring dog shit
Awesome video. I love you EV videos they are so important and keep up the great work.
I don’t understand why anyone would buy one of these over the XC40, it’s better in every aspect! Also missed opportunity by Volvo to revive the C30
as a C30 owner: yes. if I could buy my car again as an AWD EV, I totally would
I don't understand why anyone would buy a Chinese car and pay a European premium for it full stop.
@@Beer_Dad1975 It’s designed in Sweden and built in Belgium.
@@markwilkens1982 No it's not, it's built by Zhejiang Kingkong Automobile Co in the Super Factory in Zhejiang. Some no doubt have their final assembly in Belgium so Volvo can claim some of them are "European manufactured", but they are fundamentally Chinese manufactured cars using mostly Chinese parts - as to where they are designed that's a bit of an unknown as they can say what they want about that - but I bet Chinese engineers are much cheaper than Swedish ones. I love that name - Kingkong :-D
As someone who works at Volvo and stares at and sits in both cars for 8 hours a day. I’d take the C40 any day lol. (I’ll keep my S60 for now tho)
That ikea named song on the entertainment system made ne laugh a lot.
Mark, I was very surprised to hear that you got rid of your red XC90 after spending all that money on paint protection, etc, and wanting to use it as your long-term camera vehicle!
Not sure why you complained about its gas mileage (19mpg) in this video, as heavy, boxy vehicles (SUVs) with turbos (and superchargers!) suck gas. I know, as I drive a S90 T6 Inscription, which I actually do like a lot. (My first Volvo, had though an older Saab 95 wagon 10-12 years ago, and got into this one from a '19 X3.)
I would put batteries into this S90 if I could! (Convert it to an EV!)
I bought one of these and did not experience "sitting on top of" that you describe. I adjusted the seat similar to how Mazda recommends, and you definitely sit "IN" it. Just as much, if not moreso than the CX5 and RDX I used to own. Test driving a Stelvio, it did not feel any more "sit in" than this.
Is there a Polestar 2 review coming?
This is a great entry level Volvo at premium Volvo pricing. For $60k+ I'm more interested in a premium EV wagon.
It's Chinese built garbage, not premium at all.
were at a serious lack of wagons, ev or not
@@Beer_Dad1975 Built in Belgium. And if Tesla is premium, then this Volvo is definitely premium.
Does anyone make one? Volvo was fine with making premium wagons but wagon sales in the USA are very low. So they can't really justify making one for the North American market at least.
Volvo make the V60 recharge but that's a plug in hybrid
XC40/C40 are awesome and very under appreciated - just. Wish they were slightly less expensive.
Agree.
I'd love to see a review of the Polestar 2. For a similar price you get something that's slightly faster but handles and looks far better, even before the Performance software upgrade that Europe has. It's also unique and there are no dealer markups AND are generally in stock around the country. I think it does the most with the CMA platform and is the best iteration of it. I'm also biased as I own one.
Also they are made in China, so don't have the same supply restrictions on Chinese electronics that a lot of European car manufacturers have... of course it also means you are paying a European premium for a car made in China - and of course the guy who owns Volvo is a member of the CCP, so you're basically supporting China's oppressive regime by buying one...
Volvo's electric cars are sold online. They don't have dealer markups. I agree that the Polestar 2 is excellent.
My husband also owns a PS2 and bought it before the Volvo silblings were available. Theoretically I would prefer the larger Volvo variants since I prefer higher cars, but this is his car and the loves the PS2 lower, sporty ride. I got myself a Ioniq 5 instead :)
@@Wasabi9111 also a fantastic car! I'd very much consider the Ioniq 5 N whenever it gets released.
I currently have the XC40, and I'm somewhat considering getting a Polestar 2 to replace our Mazda3 when the time comes. I'm a really big fan of what Volvo has done with the XC40, and disagree with you a bit as I feel it is the superior sibling. That's mostly due to the SUV styling fitting my personal needs better. I personally wouldn't get the C40 though as I feel it has too many compromises vs the XC40 but not enough of the coupe benefits that you would get from the PoleStar 2.
I drove one the other day, followed up by a Polestar 2 and an Ioniq 5. I graded them in order: Ioniq 5, Polestar 2 and C40. In terms of looks I put the C40 a distant 3rd and the Polestar 1st, but the features of the Ioniq 5 did it for me. They were all adequately comfortable for a road trip. My current vehicle is a Bolt, which was meant as a bridge from my BMW 530e to when more EVs were available this year. The Bolt is great for around town, but it isn't a vehicle for road trips - it just isn't comfortable enough. If I can't find the Ioniq 5 I want, I'll be perfectly happy with the Polestar.
Both are great choices. My husband has the PS2 and he loves it. But it’s too claustrophobic and noisy for me. I love relaxed hwy cruisers and the Ioniq 5 works for me. It’s airy and quiet. But I occasionally takes the PS2 when I want something a little sportier around town:)
Many consumers would have ranked them the same; others would have ranked them differently. It all comes down to personal preferences. I am reminded of that whenever I see a Pontiac Aztec in some putrid colour. Of all the choices available at the time of purchase someone selected that car model in that colour.
Could you please explain, how exactly is C40 compromised by not being dedicated EV platform? You repeat this fact without being specific. I believe there is no compromise at all. You have full boot capacity, you have nicely covered frunk and very good interior space considering small size of the car. Rear tunnel is not just empty transmission tunnel from ICE car. There is battery inside and the advantage is, you do not get increased floor as with skateboard platforms and much more comfortable seating position with better knee angle. You should study more ;-)
The aerodynamics and packaging are a compromise. You don't get to pull the wheels out more due to the space that's needed for an ICE car built into the car. Volvo's next-generation will show how much this is a compromise.
As a 2019 S60 T6 (with polestar tune) Volvo owner, I’m sad that your XC90 didn’t work out - so far my car has been great, but the XC90 is much heavier and stresses the components more than on the S60. I get 30 mpg and have 330 hp. Curious as to why you sold yours.
That said, should Volvo build an EV that looks like the Polestar 1 and has pricing that stays on this planet, I would consider it someday. PS- there was nothing wrong with Sensus- I have that with the Bowers and Wilkins 1100 watt stereo in my S60 and wouldn’t change a thing. iPhone user so that would make Android Auto even worse.
Great review as always, Mark!
How many miles you have on your s60? I wanted the same car.
Great review. My whole life I wanted a Volvo (or Saab) until seeing the price. I guess my 2010 Ford Fusion works just fine :)
We were a SAAB family my 1st SAAB '02 9-5 sedan with 79k miles was $8k in 2007 or so and I put over 100k on it. My mom got her '07 9-5 wagon CPO for around $20k I think and then I bought it off her. We have since moved onto Volvo she leases now and my husband just bought a '22 XC60 B5 Inscription with wool seats and Bowers and Wilkins. Though I'm counting down the days when we have the room where I can finally get another 9-5 again as a weekend car.......best car I ever had!
Excellent review. Very well done. No unnecessary talking but when he talked it was honest and had a lot of credibility. I have owned three Volvos but they were from the 80/90 period. The first two were 240's and they were great cars. The 740..not so much and it was the last that I have. Review substantiated my gut feeling about the C40. Actually it's quite appealing but the price is much too high for the driving range. Also, I am not in love with many things that are Chinese related. Thank you!
I had a 144 and two 164s and to be honest, they weren't that reliable. They were in the shop on a fairly regular basis for odd problems. The 164 drove like a luxury car and the 144 drove like a nice, solid sedan. I had a 760 Turbo and that had its issues as well. The s80 T6 I have, however, is solid and stable and reliable and that's from 2002.
I think the whole China thing is more in people's perception that reality. Volvo was saved by Geely and they lay off of Volvo. Volvo Sweden runs Volvo and is responsible for the good and bad aspects of the current cars, not the parent company. Practically speaking, businesses are intertwined with China. Every car has some Chinese components in it and most of our electronic appliances are made there.
I don't associated range with price with EVs. I know some do but I don't. If the car has refinement and a solid build plus some performance, it's worth more. The Polestar 2 feels like a much more expensive car to me than the Tesla Model 3 that I rented for a weekend a few years ago. And it was about how it feels. The solidity, the tracking, the stability, the attention to detail. And that's China built. But you couldn't tell it was. It felt just as solid as any Volvo I've been in built in Belgium or Sweden and I've been in a bunch of them. In 3 years will it? I think so. It was that solid.
Can you please do the Polestar 2?
Wish Volvo would of kept the 3.0L straight 6 around longer.
Thank you for the review. Hopefully you can get a Polestar 2 and tell us if the shortcomings you see in the Volvo are resolved. I have the impression that they are, even the high price, because the Polestar has a more "premium feel" to it, better handling, intelligent recuperation system and very userffriendly infotainment. I was particularly impressed by the pixel LED headlights. The major drawback is not sitting on a dedicated platform, which compromises range (fundamental flaw) and interior space.
I would like to second a request for a review for the Polestar 2. When I rented one, it really answered most of the problems I have with the Model 3. The build quality and suspension tuning were far better. I'd love to see some longer term/in depth impressions.
Some reviewers thought the Volvo had the more premium interior and feel over the Polestar 2. Definitely the Polestar has better handling. But they don't drive that differently. The Volvo is "softer."
Yup, I lost all interest in obtaining this vehicle when I saw the price. It seems fairly nice, but I just don't understand the price. I'm not seeing a level of luxury that commands that price. Performance seems strong I guess. Is that what is going to lure in buyers?
The fact that it's ugly as sin didn't make you lose interest?
Since it’s an EV it qualifies for a 7500 credit which Volvo also passes through to lessees. So it’s more like a low 50s vehicle - more inline with 4 cylinder q5s and x3s.
@@Pantallideth94 styling of this vehicle is not a dealbreaker for me.
Also, it's built in China and Volvo is owned by Li Shufu, who is a member of the CCP and a delegate of the NPC - and just an all-round asshole oligarch, so buy this Chinese trash heap, you are supporting the Chinese communist party.
@@richardh3587 people's tax situations are so incredibly variable you absolutely cannot just take $7,500 off of the purchase price of electric vehicles. I'm surprised people like you are still doing it. The car costs what it costs, what you do with the federal government is a separate issue...
First time watching, what an interesting mix of good observations and crude entitlement. All the same, I got the message and appreciate the effort to inform.
Hey guys, while you're tackling Volvo, I would love to hear your thought on the XC60 Recharge as well.
I can't speak about pricing in the US but I don't find the C40 "overpriced" here in Canada. I have a loaded C40 on order that will cost about $74k Cdn. (before tax). I previously had a loaded VW AWD ID.4. on order for about $60k. (Both qualify for $9k in government rebates). I am happy to pay the $14k premium to get the Volvo. By contrast, a well-appointed AWD BMW i4 costs more than $90k in Canada (and doesn't qualify for the $9k rebate). Even if that model were priced the same as the C40 I'd take that C40 (just me). In any event, I've not heard a single reviewer assert that the i4 is "overpriced". I also find it curious that many reviewers refer to Tesla cars (all models) as "expensive", but rarely as "overpriced".
I don't think it is overpriced either. If people what they pay for Teslas then this car is worth its price.
What annoys me most about the Volvo 2.0 range, is that Volvo KNOWS how to make a great motor. The 4.4 v8, the 3.0T, the na 3.2. All of these would stand up perfectly well in 2022 emissions regulations and would be just as easily adapted to the T8 hybrid platforms. How amazing would the SPA x90 be if it had the old 4.4, mated to the current extended range hybrid setup? It's almost like they wanted to virtue signal by developing these small "efficient" powertrains, when in reality, it's a step backwards.
yep, my 2001 V70 XC's five-cylinder engine gets much better gas mileage than the current 2-liter, 4-cylinder Volvo engines...
It’s all about EU emissions. Those old motors were great but would not be easily engineered to be cleaner.
I have an xc 40 recharge and an iPhone. My wife also has an iPhone. We have no problems with the infotainment system
Mark, can you kindly make a video listing pros and cons of your XC90 ownership and why you decided to sell. I remember the video of you picking that car, and doing all of the paint correction work and protection you did.
I believe it was in the shop far too often.
Tech issues and the problem with the t6, having a supercharger and turbo charger issues. I got rid of my s90 for a short period as well 6 months, even though the t5 is better realibity wise but I started having issues with auto hold after a car wash. Car seat shakes at certain speed and the stupid infotainment. Where in a trip my ac controls just froze lol and couldn't change them. I got a honda ridgeline 21 and never looked back since
I have the same XC90 T6 R-Design in Passion Red as the Goose. Mine is a 2017 and I've had none of the issues he did.
I drive a 2018 S90 T6 - 60k miles, with 20k miles put last year on a cross country trip.
Never had any mechanical or electrical issues. I use Android Auto 100% of the time - no infotainment issues either. Maybe I have just been lucky or a few others unlucky?
I do have VIP bumper to bumper warranty for another 5 years and a lot of miles in case I stop getting lucky
I bet he’s not going to buy another Chinese car again. Ever.
Thank you for the brutally honest reviews
The EC40 look great! ❤
There really aren’t any other EV’s that can do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds for cheaper than this. And there aren’t a ton of gas cars that can for that money either. I love how quick off the line these cars are. Gas cars can match it but only if you are able to nail the launch.
4.5 seconds is slow as dirt. esp for something awd with instant torque
@@BigMotorLover lol ok buddy.
nobody cares about 0-60 in real life
@@crimsonlightbinder I do. Several times a week I nail the pedal off the traffic lights to get cemented into the seats.
"4.5 seconds is trash because my tuner car that gets 10 mpg highway does 0-60 in 4 seconds"
Great to re-watch this after having had a number of C40s.
Volvo = Pay more get less. 200 miles range for almost 60K? WOW. No Apple support? WOW.
You can get a new X5 45e phev for 63k msrp with a super fast straight six and 35 mile range battery that'll cover most of your city driving. I get 850 miles before I need to fill up on mine.
No Apple support, what will all the sheep-ple do, LOL. Sounds alot of money for something made for pure city dwellers, good thing they make alot of money living in the city so they can afford it but no Apple, what will they do with their Apple decal for the back window, LOL🛎
@@ThirdBrainLives LOL😄
I'll pay more to remove all touch screens
It has iPhone support now via software updates btw.
I test drove an XC90 a couple of years ago, and when I got in back into my ten-year-old Lexus RX350, I could not believe how much quieter my old Lexus was.
had exactly the opposite experience.
I know what you mean. My parents had a 2010 RX and I was trying to convince them to get a new car several years ago. As prior Volvo owners they test drove the xc90. We were surprised how expensive Volvo have gotten. The 4 cyl engine was rough and noisy and the ride was brittle. Also, these was minimal sound insulation against the engine, wind and road noise. Otherwise they liked the car, but didn’t feel it was premium enough.
@@linkmant I compared the Volvo with my wife and the salesman in the car, and ALL of us agreed that the Volvo was much louder....not even close.
Make cars that last 30 years again. That is what will reduce recycling and waste problem.
This is one of the few cars where the speedometer has a proper refresh rate. It looks so smooth and nice, more companies should do this.
Idk but that blue recycled material fabric looked like it was already peeling apart..
Remember when Mercedes Benz went to environmentally friendly insulation on their wiring harnesses? The insulation was so environmentally friendly it started returning to the earth after about five years. Few things less environmentally friendly than a product lasting 5 years instead of the expected 30+.
In two years, he’ll be a Volvo Customer again. They are about to release everything they’ve been working on. And they have been far ahead of the curve. The next generation Volvo is like a spaceship had a baby with a second gen XC90
Typical move. Work on ‘new’ when you don’t even have the current stuff working… 🤦♂️
@@troyjollimore4100 I’m pretty sure everything’s working fine, Volvos had record sales and pushed passed projected sales even during shortages. I mean, they work better than Range Rover… Better than BMW… If you can’t hang buy a Lexus lol
@@Spoolingturbski Point taken! Like I said elsewhere, if you can get sales based on your name alone, why not? They only have to survive through a 3-5 year lease in most cases anyway…
Very much so wonder what camera your using 🤔
Now I'm intrigued on what you would think of the polestar 2
trash in trash out
I actually like what Volvo brings to the market as a brand but this is just a non starter for many reasons.
XC40 makes more sense. Volvo just made this to offer a "coupe" CUV.
all volvos are dog shit
Nice to know Volvo is still around. Nice.
Technically yes, but these are Chinese made as is the entirety of the Polestar brand.
@@parissmith5727 Not true…the C40 is built in Belgium at least for the North American market, and the XC60 I own was built in Sweden. The upcoming Polestar 3 is going to be built in the USA.
The V90s are built in Sweden.
These are really sharp looking in person. They did the back end very very well.
Volvo's grill is the most handsome grill out there. Even if non-functional they should have kept it because it looks weird af with that blank billet in there.
Definitely not a stiff ride (11:50)! Test drove it the other day. Could actually be a little stiffer.
I think Mark was unnecessarily hard on the car. Something about the bad experience with the XC90 has him somewhat overly critical of all Volvos in the more recent reviews, IMO.
The ride is really, really good. It's taut but it has good compliance over bumps. I like the ride is this and the XC40 over the SPA cars which have a weird momentary jolt sometimes in the ride and some strange slight bobbling motions. The XC40 has very little harshness.
Says "blast your gentetalia" without pausing or acknowledging, love it 🤣
So Android Automotive doesn't allow you to enable developer mode? That's interesting and important to know, thanks.
Looking forward to your review of their "newer" PHEV drivetrain with the XC40 Recharge. We're debating picking up a 2023 XC90 Recharge as a family hauler, but your comments on the T6 have me concerned about the reliability of the 4-banger supporting the whole thing.
Get the X5 45e. It's amazing.
New XC90 Recharge (Long range MY23) uses the newer better B5 engine not the T6 one and bigger battery and more power with most bugs fixed so i would think if its the 2023 model go for it
same here. newest t8s make a lot more power and in phev form are basically top of class in terms of power figures for anyone who cares. PHEV also no longer has the supercharger. It's clear that volvo has focused a lot more resources towards electrification compared to other luxury automakers but the longevity of these in-between products is still a toss-up
Spoon is being played from the Bluetooth connection. Good choice :D
I very much dig your videos. And I love that Volvo is going very publicly leather-free on these cars. :)
I ended up lemoning my 2019 Jaguar I-PACE (due to HVAC, not EV components). That was the best driving EV IMHO. I ended up replacing it with a leased 2022 C40. Like you suggested, I am leasing this for 3 years until Volvo/Polestar come up with bespoke BEV.
Polestar 4. Volvo's future cars are very unclear now but they may have something out in 2025. Bespoke BEVs are coming from Volvo/Polestar next year if they aren't terribly delayed. They already are delayed.
Volvo Embla?
My neighbor has one and I was really impressed with the vehicle. Smart design, pracitle for me, good size and the use of materials is great except for the gloss black. So I gos home and built one on line and it came out at $57k. I just shake my head. Again, when are regular folks going to get a good electric car? (rhetorical question)
Sometimes I consider a Chevy Bolt, after the tax rebate, but my hesitations are the passenger safety rating and Chevy's reliability. It seems like as good as an EV can get at the moment though
Volvos are expensive so I don't know why people don't expect an electric version of an XC40 variant not to be. And it's not a cheaply made car from China like some are saying. It's a stout, solid car with XC40 interior, a car that has won a lot of awards. Yes, it's not inexpensive but it's not outrageously expensive either.
12:28 "bridge product", great point, maybe they are going with a smooth transition and focusing more on Polestar for their EVs?
Really useful review, thank you for sharing!
They're not focusing more on Polestar. Polestar 2 is a bridge product as well to the Polestar 3. This is a bridge product to the next EV XC90 (probably called the Embla).
What is the mileage of this demo Volvo Mark. Because I can clearly see that centre console carpet on the driver side is worn out.
that is the build quality? how many miles can it have for a brand new car? How will this look after 3-4 years, a dumpster, that's how. Americans fawning over cheap ass crap volvo is so funny to me
I would never buy a CUV, but price and that aside it seems pretty nice. Very cool interior design!
Don't know if you've been able to get your hands on the Polestar 2 yet, but it seems to be the only EV I can find without a massive markup where I live. Wondering if there's a negative reason for that similar to your points on the C40, or if it's worth looking into.
The Polestar doesn't have a dealer network, thus no markup.
@@TrainsFerriesFeet There is no markup on the Volvo either. It is sold exclusively online. Hybrid Volvos are marked up by dealers but not the BEV Volvos.
Does this have any kind of driver assist?
Also have the Apple CarPlay issues been fixed since this video came out?
Is the affordable "hot hatch" comparison still coming? You guys showed some footage in the Elantra N video, and I've been eagerly awaiting it since.
Or was inserting that footage in the N video a way of saying the N is the uncontested king of the segment?
What did you replace your Volvo XC90 with?
X7 m50i
I only click to hit the like button and support the team...
To me cars like this are too expensive and boring to ever imagine owning. If I'm paying this money, I want a used M3 or a Porsche. I'll continue to get my groceries in my old V6 Honda.
You hit the nail on head regarding leasing this gen.
In the UK esp, leasing say a (near 30k new) fiat 500 EV for 3 yrs and 10000 Miles p.a works out at around £10k. The tech will have moved on and then a new EV will make more sense
As a v60 owner last 3 years I’ve had zero infotainment problems and no mechanical problems from the t5. The xc90 I’d stay away from for sure.
How is it that 10 millions people living near the arctic circle can have their own indigenous car industry, indigenous airplane and armament industry, has one of the highest standard of living in the world, excel at many sports and look good doing all of these things.
Ugh, companies just keep making lease-focused vehicles.. I guess it's good in some way I'm guessing they end up in the second-hand market after the first owner dumps their lease after a few years.
On the other side that might be pushing cars even further down a path where it's fine if it runs great for a few years and after that ... who cares right? Let the second owner deal with the issues/breakdowns.
It also feels like a giant waste to build these massive cars at massive prices when they are only enjoyed for a few years only to pass it on and jump on something new.
I hope they can deliver on the promise that the cars will last and enjoy a long life with other owners and won't end up in landfills "waiting for recycling".
Considering this car, I'd be much happier in a competitor like the Ford or Hyundai/Kia.
Thanks for the review
100% and I’ve commented on this before with others EVs. The auto industry IMO is moving to a smartphone model wether they realize it or not. They’ve gone all in on EVs and I’m not sure that is best. The auto industry has seemingly drank the woke kool aid let’s hope it doesn’t put them all out of business. Probably 1%-2% of the cars I see are EV but none of these auto companies say they will be making ICE cars in 7-10 years? Doesn’t add up. Unless they know something we don’t know like the US govt will flat out ban gasoline in 2030.
@@austinfrazier7325 nope, if they ban gas, they won't get re-elected. They know it.
Jack; “…the problems with their interaction combustion drivetrains. They aren’t reliable, they are underpowered, they aren’t efficient…”. Oh really?! My Volvo V60 t5 FWD sportwagon has performed flawlessly for over 50k mi since 2016. I’ve only replaced the battery - period. It even has the original brakes! It has very good acceleration at 255 horsepower excellent 8 speed transmission that is always where you need it and on the highway I’m getting 36 mpg with an aero roof rack. The handling is drive flat awesome. Perhaps if you guys didn’t horse the crap out of your cars you’d have better luck. Jack, you might also visit Mark’s 2019 S60 review to update your information.
What about It´s quirks and features?
Ioniq 5 and EV6 less money? In their lower trims, yes, but in a trim to match this, they are within a few thousand. In any event, this feels like a luxury car inside vs the Hyundai/Ioniq products which I think feel more pedestrian in comparison. Saw one at the dealership and the build quality on this thing seems amazing. Those doors are solid as a rock! Pano sunroof is also very cool. Also on the leasing front, it seems to me that the dealers are really fleecing you now on the EVs. You'd be paying out like $35k to lease this thing for 3 years. By 2026, this car likely be worth way more than $27,000 ($62k-$35k=$27k), so why would you lease? I would buy and sell for like $38k at the end of three years. If I was looking at one of these I would wait, because I think prices will be down by the end of 2023 on most cars, especially some EVs. Most dealers in MA are marking these up from the mid $50k range to $60k rn. Like the Hyundais, I will likely wait to get one until they figure out the Wireless Apple Carplay, and a rear windshield wiper in the case of the Ioniq 5/EV6. Wth, Kia/Hyundai?? My Suby Outback has Wireless Carplay that works almost flawlessly.
Wonder why they put Lincoln logos for the air vents.
Really curious on your thoughts on the new EX30 they announced. I feel like that vehicle fixes every single issue you had with this car.
I don't understand the disadvantages of a shared platform besides less space optimization. Is it really that big of a deal? Could be a lot cheaper this way with a lot more shared components.
They start with a compromised body that has to be designed to fit, exhaust, fuel tanks, electric motors, batteries and gas engine. So it by definition means you have wasted space, like the driveshaft/exhaust hump in rear passenger floor. Less space for bigger batteries etc..
@@savagegeese Yes but this is a transition car so Volvo could have something electric to try certain EV technologies. They've done a lot right in terms of one-pedal driving and throttle inputs. Their OTA updates are more extensive than a lot of other bigger companies as well. Volvo has shown their plans for the next generation EV XC90 and it'll be out soon. They'll have some new naming convention, XC , S and V followed by numbers won't be used anymore.
I would skip this myself or get the XC40 hybrid. Kia/Hyundai is the place to go but they're hard to find and dealers are price gouging the ones they have.
Get it below 10% state of charge when you enter turtle mode will change your mind about fixed power train. Being an iOS user is enough for me to walk away but more so than that would be it’s dangerous because you can’t go over 17 mph at 3% state of charge. 😳
The people taking it down to 3% are the same ones on the shoulder of the tollway waiting for someone to show up with the gas can.
Android is far better.
Did you show the frunk? Did I miss it?
Wait?!….what happened to your xc90? I thought that was supposed to be your long term work horse….
Work horse was in shop too much
nanosuit synchronization complete..cloak engaged..transphasics engaged
For all the talk of Jack and all the Volvo videos here, we've never seen him in one.
Why cant the infotainment screen be matt?
So glad I watched this video to learn the new google based system is not IOS friendly, which means newer Volvos are not for me ☹️
Funny in my country, XC40 EV has the same exact price as the EV6 and Ioniq5.
Whatever my generation's radwood is gonna be in 30 years this will be the halo car
I think the main problem with the C40, is that the XC40 is about 10k less.
Maybe the gas version. The XC40 Recharge, with comparable trim level, is only about $400-$500 less.
Coupe CUV's are so ugly, same story with the VW id.5
A well crafted review as always. Thanks! But I simply can't understand how an EV with only 226 miles of range could be anything other than a city/local use vehicle here in the central Midwest. There are few to no charging opportunities along most of the routes we drive outside the Kansas City metro area. Not a single charging station in my hometown of 14,000 people. None in the small towns along blacktop roads. The only charging opportunity on one 350 mile route we drive is an RV park with household type 110 volts. There are no EV charging stations at any of the pretty nice hotels we stay at. By the way, I've bought only one new Volvo in my life (it was pre-Geely) and it was a rattletrap, unreliable and handled poorly. We normally keep cars 10 to 14 years but we gave up on the Volvo after 18 months.
Which year and model Volvo was that?
@@Frejborg LOL, it was a long, long time ago! It was a 1978 242DL that I purchased new in May 1978 and sold in November 1979. It was quite an interesting vehicle although my wife hated driving it due to its notchy 4-speed manual transmission with optional Laycock de Normanville overdrive. Its main mechanical issue was its air conditioner which failed repeatedly. Back then, air conditioning on the Volvo 240 series was a dealer installed option using a system supplied by Volvo. During the same period, I also owned a Volvo 145 wagon and a Volvo P1800E hardtop that I had purchased used. I sold all three Volvos in late 1979 after purchasing a Mercedes 450SEL sedan and a Mercedes 240D sedan. Ah, the memories! (Edit: I corrected the years from 1979/1980 to 1978/1979. I want to be accurate!)
The Geely Volvos are build very very well. All US delivered Volvos are either made in the US, Belgium, or Sweden.
I live a few hours south of KC. You have plenty of EA 150 and 350kW stations all within 180 miles or less in any direction from KC metro area. I drove from NWA to St Louis the other day, no issues. It took me 35 minutes longer than it did in my Acura. I was just being leisurely and not trying to win any races or speed challenges, I admit, but it really wasn't an issue. As far as the C40 I bought, it's solid with regard to rattles at least as much as my Acura, Mazda, and Toyota were. Handling is very good, although I drove a XC90 and can understand where you arrived at the "handles poorly" opinion for sure! If you open your charging preferences up to Blink and Chargepoint (which I don't because I don't need to, and wouldn't even road-tripping from KC), you can definitely find chargers.
@@UnobtaniumsQuickReviews Even an additional 35 minutes on a trip of that length isn't something we're willing to tolerate in order to drive an EV. We're not going to plan our lives and travel around charging opportunities. And for now, EV charging opportunities outside metro areas in the Midwest are available mainly along Interstate highways and there are none at all in large swaths of rural areas. I hope that changes but I don't foresee an adequate expansion of charging opportunities anytime soon. Battery technology is under development that "should" allow full EV charging in about the same amount of time as filling an empty vehicle fuel tank. Wide implementation of that battery technology will change everything.
so when are y'all gonna make a video about the Polestar 2
Watching a savagegeese video between iRacing sessions is the best ☺️
A lot of BEVs seem to be larger vehicles this first time around. Are they going to make a smaller sedan or coupe? As someone who eventually will be forced to buy one, something that fits my needs is preferred
BUT, if Volvo sells @ msrp or maybe even a discount, and dealerships of other brands are adding $10K, then price may not be that far off. And, you may actually be able to find one on a lot.
These are for order only and qualify for a 7.5k tax credit. So only @ MSRP ever.
Dealers don't markup Volvo's electric cars. They are sold online only.
Who said the modern power trains aren’t reliable??? And is 316hp from a four cylinder not a decent amount for a 2L?