Long-termers

LONG-TERMERS VOLVO XC40

THE KNOWLEDGE

Is a plug-in hybrid a good stepping stone to an EV? Ted Welford aims to find out.

The year 2030 is when you’ll no longer be able to pop into a showroom, pick up a new petrol or diesel car and be on your way. No, from this date, you’ll be either choosing a plug-in hybrid (set to be phased out five years later) or a pure-electric car.

And although that date might seem quite a while away, nine years is a pretty short space of time when you come to think of it.

Keen to find out how ready we are for this brave new world, I’m going to be spending the next six or so months with this – a Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 plug-in hybrid. These types of vehicles are often considered a ‘stepping stone’ to EVs.

The XC40 is the Swedish manufacturer’s most affordable model, carrying over many of the cues of the firm’s larger cars (the smart upright grille and ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights being two main highlights) and wrapping them in a more compact package. They’re selling like hot cakes, too. So far in 2021, it’s the UK’s sixth most popular new car, outselling models such as the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus.

It’s available with a wide range of powertrains, including petrol, mild-hybrid petrols, an EV and also a choice of plug-in hybrids. ‘My’ car is the T5 Plug-in Hybrid, which is the more powerful of the hybrids, combining a three-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 258bhp.

There’s also a 10.7kWh battery, which claims to allow for a 28-mile electric range – a figure I’m keen to see if I can get close to, as PHEVs are known for overestimating this. Volvo also says you could see up to 134.5mpg, but again, I’m taking that with a pinch of salt.

Although you can pick up a standard XC40 for under £26,000, this T5 plug-in hybrid sits at the pricier end of the spectrum, costing from £42,530. ‘From’ being the key word here, as my optioned-up test car is specced up to a frankly ludicrous £49,125. It’s worth remembering the XC40 is the same size as a Qashqai...

I didn’t actually get a choice of specs, but although I was a bit dubious about Crystal White (£750), seeing it for the first time in the sun and realising it was a pearl colour rather than a flat white, it certainly appealed. It’s also been brilliant at hiding all the dust, given there hasn’t been a drop of rain since I collected it nearly a month ago! The 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels (again, another £750) also look the part.

After this, there are a range of bundled option packs, including Driver Assist (a steep £1,550), which brings adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring, while the Lounger pack (another £1,750) features park assist, a 360-degree camera plus electric sunroof.

I also can’t forget the interior, arguably the boldest thing here. While most XC40s you’ll see will have a plain black interior, that’s not the case here, with KM70 XKO having a strange cream-orange colour. It’s called Amber, and – I’ll be honest – when I first saw it, it reminded me of a cream leather interior that’s been driven by a chain-smoker. Sorry Volvo, I don’t imagine that’s the look you were going for... That said, even in a short space of time it’s really grown on me, and anyone who’s had a nosey at it has loved it.

So far, I’m adjusting to plugging the car in at every available opportunity and enjoying the XC40’s strong comfort and refinement, especially when running solely on battery power. But will it be smiles all round for the next six months? Time will tell...

Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 Plug-in Hybrid

Price (as tested): £49,125 Engine: 1.5-litre petrol-electric

hybrid

Power:

258bhp

Torque: 425Nm 0-60mph: 7.0 seconds Max speed: 112mph Emissions: 47-57g/km CO2 Fuel economy: 117.7-134.5 mpg Mileage: 1,811

This month’s highlight:

The Crystal White paintwork hiding all the dust that’s collected, courtesy of the lack of rain!

OTHER CARS WE’RE DRIVING

Nissan Juke N-Connecta

Mileage: 6,195 We took the Juke on a Covidcompliant 300-mile round trip – and it didn’t disappoint.

Audi S4 Avant

Mileage: 2,141

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