MOTORING REVIEW
www.icenimagazine.co.uk
ISSUE 87 2020
Volvo XC40 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid T5 Review
By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist. Follow On Instagram @tbarnesclay Let’s get this out of the way; this Volvo is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). That means it runs on petrol and electricity. So, theoretically, you could get well over 100mpg out of this car - if you’re careful. But, the XC40 PHEV is only economical if you remember, or can be bothered, to connect the lead to a power source and charge it up. If you don’t have time, then the conventional tank of petrol is only going to propel the chunky 1.75 tonne SUV so far. You may get 50mpg in the real world - as I did! The hybrid idea is a good one, though - and when you get into the habit of plugging in, you can get as much as 28 miles of pure electric range. Handy, then, for short trips across town, or for when you’ve driven home on vapour.
I did exactly that one evening, but plugging in at home overnight meant I was greeted with some welcome extra miles in the morning more than enough to get to a fuel station. The XC40 T5 Twin Engine is also a good bet if you’re choosing your next company car. The low CO2 rating means considerable benefit-in-kind tax savings. Away from the slightly technical geeky guff, the XC40 is a decent chariot for a family of up to five. My three kids managed to sit with enough comfort in the rear, and there’s plenty of room for the driver and front-seat passenger. The cabin is clearly well-made - like all Volvos, and the boot is big enough to stuff lots into although you may want to discard the plug-in cable bag if you need every centimetre of space.
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