The other electric vehicles in the comparison include the Volvo C40 Recharge and the dual motor version of the XC40 Recharge.

BHPian Ripcord09 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor

What you'll like:

• A sharply styled SUV. Volvo’s new designs sure are head-turners!
• Solid build & top-notch quality, inside out
• Quick performance will keep most owners happy. Well configurated one-pedal driving feature makes it very easy to drive in the city
• Real-world range should be ~350 km, which is enough for most users
• Excellent high-speed stability coupled with sorted handling. Mature ride quality at speed too
• Zero emissions, cheap running costs & green image will appeal to a lot of people
• Features such as panoramic sunroof, electric front seats with extendable seat bases, one-pedal driving, button-less starting procedure, air purifier etc.
• 5-star NCAP rating. Loaded with safety equipment such as 7 airbags, collision mitigation support (front & rear), lane keeping aid, blind spot information system, cross-traffic alert & more

What you won't:

• Rear seat comfort levels are mediocre. Raised floor & upright seatback. It’s best for just 2 & ingress / egress are tricky too
• The much quicker and better equipped dual motor version costs just ~Rs. 3 lakhs more
• Firm low speed ride. Liveable, but not plush in the city. You will feel the bad roads
• No drive modes and no adjustable regeneration means you cannot customise your drive experience
• Spare tyre is placed above the boot floor and eats into luggage space
• Missing features such as ventilated seats, head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 360-degree camera, full-size spare tyre (has a space saver tyre), premium sound system, Vehicle to Load etc.
• Small dealership and service network isn't a patch on its German competitors

First Drive Review

Volvo XC40 Recharge Dual Motor

Member Test Drive Review

BMW iX1

Launch & Ownership Review

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Review Link

Kia EV6

First Drive Review

Volvo C40 Recharge

What you'll like:

• Sharply styled crossover. Volvo’s designs sure are head-turners!
• Solid build & top-notch quality, inside out
• Powerful drivetrain with 402 BHP, 660 Nm and AWD gives it sportscar-like performance
• Zero emissions, cheap running costs & green image will appeal to a lot of people
• Real world range should be ~400 km, which is enough for most users
• Excellent high-speed stability coupled with sorted handling. Mature ride quality at speed too
• Loaded with features such as panoramic pixel technology headlamps, electric front seats with extendable seat bases, one-pedal driving, button-less starting procedure, air purifier, 13-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, etc.
• 5-star NCAP rating, top-notch safety kit & level 3 ADAS to keep you safe

What you won't:

• Rear seat comfort levels are mediocre. Raised floor & upright seatback. It’s best for just 2 & ingress / egress are tricky too, due to the sloping roofline
• Coupe-like rear styling can be polarising. Will divide opinions
• Poor rearward visibility due to the acutely-angled rear windscreen & C-pillar design
• Spare tyre is placed above the boot floor and eats into luggage space
• Missing features such as ventilated seats, head-up display, adjustable regenerative braking, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, rear wiper, full-size spare tyre (has a space saver tyre) etc.
• Firm low speed ride. Liveable, but not plush in the city. You feel bad roads in the city
• Small dealership and service network isn't a patch on its German competitors

Review Link

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say about the matter:

Voted for OTHERS

The BYD Seal with its all round brilliance + sheer value proposition blows all these cars out of the water. There really isn’t much left to debate about anymore, the car is just so damn competent in every which way. Add to this a sub 50L on road price, after CBU duties, and the BMWs and Volvos are ridiculously, hilariously overpriced. If I am shopping in this segment, my money is on the 550bhp Seal Performance variant and nothing else.

Here's what BHPian Hayek had to say about the matter:

Revealed preference - in this set, it is clearly STILL the Ioniq 5.

Why? I bought the car because it was fantastic to drive, very spacious and comfortable for 3 adults in the rear when chauffeur driven, and for its drool-worthy looks (far better than the Kia in my view). After nearly 7000 kms of ownership, all these positives remain. It has also been very economical to own and use so far - with just over ₹10,000 having been spent on charging it. I am also clear that it has far more than enough power for my use case in Bombay traffic - whether I am driving it on a weekend morning or one of our drivers is using it during the week. For a purely self used weekend “boy toy”, perhaps a 300 BHP + monster would have had incremental value. But as a family car, none of the more powerful vehicles help - and this strikes the perfect balance of power, comfort, refinement, looks and value for me.

Have not yet driven the BYD, but I have the feeling it would be more cramped in the rear than the Ioniq - and its smaller boot space would also be a material disadvantage on things like airport runs.

The iX1 and Volvos are smaller - ok for 2 adults and kids, not for a family with 4 adults and a nearly 6’ tall 16-year-old. And a 33% price premium for nearly the same car with worse looks makes the Kia unjustifiable in my view.

Here's what BHPian Kevinrevvz had to say about the matter:

Voted for others, I’d go for the BYD Seal.

BYD has offered a mind-blowing package in terms of quality, performance, range and driving dynamics. In my humble opinion, it’s the best overall EV on sale south of 1CR.

Let’s evaluate it across categories. Keep in mind that the flagship Seal Performance comes in at ₹53L ex-showroom.

Pros:

• Performance: 3.8s 0-100. Next cheapest EV that matches this metric: BMW i5 M60 (₹1.2CR)
• Real-world range: 500Km. Next cheapest EV that matches this metric: BMW i4 eDrive 40 (₹77.5L)
• Driving dynamics: Very well-balanced sport sedan. Handles much better than the electric crossovers in the segment.
• Build and Material quality: Put together really well and feels 90% as premium as the BMW 3 or i4.
• Longevity: The LFP Blade battery is well known for its reliability. Lasts upto 3000-4000 cycles compared to the NMC batteries used by other OEMs that last only upto 1000-2000 cycles. This enables you to charge the battery upto 100% more often with negligible degradation. BYD Taxis used in China report upto 80% Battery Health after 5L+ Km.

Cons:

• Brand Value: BYD doesn’t have the brand allure of a Western luxury brand.
• Ground Clearance: 145mm makes the car a dealbreaker for everyone but the most discerning of enthusiasts.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Like most European cars, in a straight line, the XC40 Recharge feels very stable. It’s so planted that you won’t realise how fast you are going.

Driving the XC40 Recharge Single Motor

The XC40 Recharge Single Motor comes with a 69 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted on the floor of the car. Powering the car is a single electric motor that puts out 235 BHP and 420 Nm. It comes with a shift-by-wire single-speed transmission and rear-wheel drive configuration.

The first thing you notice when you want to start the car is that there is no start/stop button. To bring the electric motors to life, you need to press the brake and put the gear shifter in “D” mode. There is a sensor that detects if someone is present in the driver’s seat. Only then does the car’s motor start.

Step on the accelerator and the car moves forward gently. There are no jerks from gearshifts and no sound from the engine, which means it is an extremely refined experience. What’s great is that the car comes with a one-pedal drive feature which can be activated through the touchscreen head-unit. This allows the XC40 Recharge to be driven by just using the accelerator and without using the brakes in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Driving the car in city traffic is a breeze. While the front visibility is good, and side visibility is average. However, the thick C-pillars hamper the visibility through the rear windshield.

On the open road, the XC40 Recharge provides instant acceleration when you step on the accelerator. Volvo claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 7.3 seconds, which though 2.4 seconds slower than the dual motor version, is still quite fast. Floor the A-pedal and you will surge ahead of most other cars around you. It provides enough excitement to keep enthusiasts happy.

The XC40 Recharge can easily cruise at triple-digit speeds on the highway and when you need to overtake a slower vehicle quickly, just floor the A-pedal and fly past the vehicle. However, the harder you drive, the faster the range drops. This is also why you will see EVs that are driving longer distances sticking to the middle lane and cruising at 80-100 km/h (which is the best cruising speed for the current lots of EVs).

Off-road Mode

The car comes with an Off-road drive mode that can be activated through the touchscreen. It is only available at slow speeds. It provides enhanced traction which makes it possible to increase or reduce the speed of the car on steep hills by using only the accelerator pedal, without using the foot brake.

Regenerative Braking

Unlike many other EVs, the XC40 Recharge does not get adjustable regenerative braking. Instead, as mentioned earlier, it comes with a one-pedal drive feature. The car will start shedding speed the moment you lift your foot off the accelerator and come to a stop. It is beautifully calibrated and a boon in city traffic. Engine-braking lovers will appreciate driving with this feature activated.

One can switch the one-pedal drive feature off through the touchscreen. However, this will mean absolutely no regeneration. There is an "Auto" mode as well in which the system decides when to activate the one-pedal drive. With one-pedal driving engaged, the car loses speed rapidly when the accelerator is released. Therefore, at highway speeds, it's best to deactivate the feature or use Auto mode where the car won't immediately decelerate. If the one-pedal drive feature is switched on at highway speeds, the regen is strong and vehicles behind you might end up coming very close to your car. Volvo should've just provided adjustable regeneration as it gives the driver control as per his / her comfort level.

Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH)

Like most EVs, the XC40 Recharge is super quiet. There’s no engine or gearbox to make any noise, so the overall driving experience is silent. At slow speeds, no one will hear you coming and you might need to use the horn to warn others of your presence.

Cabin insulation is top class and wind noise and tyre / road noise are well controlled. Overall, the cabin is a quiet and comfortable place to be in.

Range

The Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor has an ICAT-certified range of 592 km or a WLTP-certified range of 475 km. I drove the car for ~150 km and used up ~40% of the battery. So in real-world driving conditions, you can expect a range of ~350 km. Given the rising demand for EVs, there are plenty of charging stations popping up everywhere, which ought to take care of range anxiety as well.

Charging

Volvo provides an 11 kW charger as standard with the XC40 Recharge. A full charge should take ~8 hours. The car can also be charged using a 150 kW fast charger. The company claims that this can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in ~30 minutes.

Suspension

Ride Comfort

The Volvo XC40 Recharge gets a MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear. The suspension is on the stiffer side and the car rides on 19-inch wheels. This makes the low-speed ride firm. Every crack and bump on the road is felt. While the ride is not uncomfortable, it is far from plush. As we have seen in the case with most stiff suspension setups, the ride quality improves with speed. The recommended tyre pressure is a rather high 41 PSI. Dropping the pressure might help improve the ride.

Handling & Dynamics

Like most European cars, in a straight line, the XC40 Recharge feels very stable. It’s so planted that you won’t realise how fast you are going. Undulations on the road are dispatched with aplomb. In the corners, body roll is very well-controlled and the car handles admirably when driven hard through a series of corners. Mid-corner bumps are easily dealt with and the car doesn't lose its composure. The stiff suspension helps matters when the car is driven hard. The Pirelli tyres provide excellent grip as well.

Steering

The electric power steering is a nice unit and easy to operate as well. It is light at city speeds which makes it very user-friendly. The steering weighs up well at highway speeds. Further, it can be given some more weight by activating a mode through the touchscreen. Overall, the steering feels connected and inspires confidence.

Braking

Volvo has equipped the XC40 Recharge with 18-inch discs at the front and rear. These give the car great stopping power. I slammed on the brakes when the car was doing ~120 km/h and the car stopped without any drama.

Continue reading the discussion on the Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor on our forum.

On the open road, the XC40 Recharge provides instant acceleration when you step on the accelerator. Volvo claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 7.3 seconds.

Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor Pros

• A sharply styled SUV. Volvo’s new designs sure are head-turners!
• Solid build & top-notch quality, inside out
• Quick performance will keep most owners happy. Well configurated one-pedal driving feature makes it very easy to drive in the city
• Real-world range should be ~350 km, which is enough for most users
• Excellent high-speed stability coupled with sorted handling. Mature ride quality at speed too
• Zero emissions, cheap running costs & green image will appeal to a lot of people
• Features such as panoramic sunroof, electric front seats with extendable seat bases, one-pedal driving, button-less starting procedure, air purifier etc.
• Loaded with safety equipment such as 7 airbags, collision mitigation support (front & rear), lane keeping aid, blind spot information system, cross-traffic alert & more

Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor Cons

• Rear seat comfort levels are mediocre. Raised floor & upright seatback. It’s best for just 2 & ingress / egress are tricky too
• The much quicker and better equipped dual motor version costs just ~Rs. 3 lakhs more
• Firm low speed ride. Liveable, but not plush in the city. You will feel the bad roads
• No drive modes and no adjustable regeneration means you cannot customise your drive experience
• Spare tyre is placed above the boot floor and eats into luggage space
• Missing features such as ventilated seats, head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 360-degree camera, full-size spare tyre (has a space saver tyre), premium sound system, Vehicle to Load etc.
• Small dealership and service network isn't a patch on its German competitors

Read Team-BHP's detailed Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor Review.

The XC40 Recharge single-motor variant is priced at Rs 54.95 lakh (ex-showroom).

Earlier this month, Volvo launched a single-motor variant of the XC40 Recharge in India. The carmaker has now announced the commencement of bookings. Customers can book the EV via Volvo’s official website by paying a sum of Rs 1 lakh. The EV is priced at Rs 54.95 lakh (ex-showroom).

The XC40 Recharge Single comes with a 69 kWh battery pack that has a claimed maximum range of 475 km on a single charge. It powers an electric motor that has an output of 236 BHP and 420 Nm. It enables the car to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and to a top speed of 180 km/h.

The XC40 Recharge is also available with a dual-motor configuration. This variant uses a 79 kWh battery pack that offers a range of 418 km. The electric motors have a combined output of 402 BHP and 660 Nm and help accelerate the SUV from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

The dual-motor version of the XC40 Recharge uses a 79 kWh battery pack that offers a range of 418 km.

Volvo has launched the XC40 Recharge Single in India. This single-motor variant is priced at Rs 54.95 lakh (ex-showroom).

The XC40 Recharge Single comes with a 69 kWh battery pack that has a claimed maximum range of 475 km on a single charge. It powers an electric motor that has an output of 236 BHP and 420 Nm. It enables the car to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and to a top speed of 180 km/h.

In comparison, the dual-motor version of the XC40 Recharge uses a 79 kWh battery pack that offers a range of 418 km. The electric motors have a combined output of 402 BHP and 660 Nm and help accelerate the SUV from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge Single can be booked via Volvo’s online portal only. The car comes with an 8-year battery warranty, a 3-year comprehensive car warranty, a 3-year service package, a 3-year roadside assistance and a 5-year subscription to digital services.

Apart from the name change, both the Volvo EX40 and EC40 will also get a performance software package.

Volvo has announced that the company will be retiring the 'XC40 Recharge' and 'C40 Recharge' names. Going forward, the two pure-electric offerings will be called the EX40 and EC40, respectively. This brings them in line with the brand's current and future EV nomenclature, consisting of the EX30, EX90 and EM90.

The 'Recharge' name will also be removed from the model's plug-in hybrid range, which will now be denoted using the 'T6' and 'T8' suffixes. The XC40 and C40 names though will continue to be used on the model's ICE versions. Volvo states that the names will now make it easier for customers to differentiate between the brand's ICE, EV and plug-in hybrid models.

Björn Annwall, Chief Commercial Officer & deputy CEO, Volvo Cars, stated, "By aligning our trailblazing first electric models with the rest of our electric car portfolio, we simplify choice for consumers as we continue to electrify our line-up and refresh our hybrids."

Apart from the name change, both the Volvo EX40 and EC40 will also get a performance software package, boosting their range-topping version's power output to 436 BHP. The performance package can be opted by customers via the Volvo Cars App. The carmaker will also offer the software package for existing customers in certain markets.

Volvo is also offering a 3-year complimentary service and warranty on the EV.

Volvo is offering a discount of Rs 1.78 lakh on the XC40 Recharge this festive season. The electric SUV is now available for Rs 55.12 lakh (ex-showroom) for a limited period.

XC40 Recharge customers can also avail of a 3-year complimentary service and warranty as part of the ‘Festive Delight Offer’.

The XC40 Recharge uses a dual-motor setup producing 402 BHP and 660 Nm, allowing the car to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The EV is powered by a 78 kWh battery pack that offers a maximum range of 418 km on a single charge.

The XC40 Recharge shares its underpinnings with the C40 Recharge. It was launched in September at a price of Rs 61.25 lakh (ex-showroom), however, it recently received a price hike of Rs 1.7 lakh.

This car comes with the Android OS, and I believe that's why there is only Apple CarPlay available.

BHPian swe.desi recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Volvo On Demand - XC40 Recharge

Here are some photos I took when I rented out the XC40 EV.

The XC40 EV waiting at the On Demand reserved parking spot. (The PHEV XC40 is standing in the neighboring spot, and that was the first car I had rented in Sweden).

The interiors for my ride were in a dark shade, just like the winter days here. The seat was electronically adjustable, with under-thigh support. There was a huge panoramic sunroof which I did not photograph since I was quite focused on driving. I'm sure you understand.

The cabin was clean.

Crisp, minimalist dashboard.

Driver's view.

Well stitched together 360-degree camera.

Home screen.

Climate control screen. Quite fiddly to use on the move.

The app screen. This car comes with the Android OS, and I believe that's why there is only Apple CarPlay available. The integrated Google Maps was perfectly fine to use. Bluetooth pairing was nice and quick. To install new apps would mean logging in with a Google account.

96% state of charge at the end of a 15 KM drive.

Charging port and indicator lights.

Charging status is displayed even when the car is locked. There was also an indicator ring around the edges of the digital gauge cluster.

My experience up till now

My experience with using the service has been quite good, though I do concede I have only rented out twice.

Preliminary thoughts

• The app is great to use, the app user experience is superb
• Information is easy to find, lots of help documentation within the app itself
• Cars have been clean and in good driving condition

That's all, folks!

Hope you enjoyed the first series of posts. There will be more down the line as I intend to use this thread as a journal of sorts.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Given my track record, it'll probably clock only about 30,000 km in the next decade.

BHPian AbhiJ recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

A Dash of History

It's fair to say that I've been a devout car enthusiast for as long as my memory can recall, a trait I've proudly inherited from my father. The love for vehicles started with our trusty 1996 Daewoo Cielo Automatic and gradually evolved when we introduced a Mitsubishi Lancer SFX to the mix. The crowning jewel, however, was my father's final purchase - a BMW 3 Series F30 320D. Even after a solid nine years, this gem remains an integral part of my collection.

In 2014, following my father's sudden departure from this world, life's relentless demands and monetary restrictions put a momentary damper on my love for cars.

Current State of Play

Now, the occupants of my garage include a 2014 BMW F30 320D, a 2020 Hyundai Tucson Diesel AT, and a 2018 Honda City Diesel MT. The City dutifully serves as the everyday runabout, while the Tucson, with its practicality and comfort, is my go-to for chauffeured rides. However, the BMW, though seasoned, still holds a special place in my heart and hands when the urge to drive takes over.

My professional life calls for an SUV as factory runs aren't exactly friendly to saloons. As I recently celebrated my 40th birthday and find myself in a comfortable financial position, the prospect of a swankier car, budgeted at around Rs 80 lakhs, has become quite a tangible reality.

If I opt for an SUV, it would serve the dual purpose of leisure and work. But let's be real, it's not a necessity. A bit of a sad confession though - while my love for driving still runs deep, my hands-on time behind the wheel has dwindled. Proof? My loyal BMW has only clocked less than 30,000 km over its 9-year tenure.

The Candidates

Option 1: The BMW M340i

Pros:

• Now, here's a machine with promise - a 6-cylinder petrol BMW!
• The engine's growl is pure music to an enthusiast's ears.
• Typical BMW handling - precise, responsive and a joy to manoeuvre.

Cons:

• Given my track record, it'll probably clock only about 30,000 km in the next decade.
• Backseat comrades may not be too pleased with the ride quality.
• With the march of the EV brigade, I wonder if I'm investing in a soon-to-be relic?
• And let's face it, the colour palette is a bit on the humdrum side.

Option 2: The XC40 Recharge

Pros:

• Here's a curveball - it's quicker than the M340i!
• The power delivery is sheer insanity, in the best way.
• Then there's the famed Volvo safety and reliability - a comforting reassurance.

Cons:

• Again, the backseat ride quality is a bit on the stiff side.
• And, let's not mince words, the interior feels a bit yesterday

Option 3: You are missing a great option!

Am I overlooking any other splendid options that might suit my needs? Your insights would be much appreciated!

P.s. I already test drove and ruled out the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6.

Option 4: The "Patience is a Virtue" Approach

Why hurry when we might have some promising contenders on the horizon? The 2024 BMW 5 Series / i5 models were recently announced, and the Volvo C40 is also launching soon. I am also hoping that Hyundai might launch the Dual Motor IONIQ 5 in India sometime soon.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

You have a very sorted garage. The oldest car is the 320d, but there really is no point in selling an 8-year old BMW that is working perfectly, reliably and giving you driving pleasure. I am sailing the same boat with my '13 530d. We'll get peanuts for our perfectly running cars, so better to use them for a little longer.

As much as I love the M340i, you already have a BMW sedan and very low running. If you decide to buy it, hold off for a few years. Sell your 320d once it has aged, then replace it with an M340i. Even better, a pre-worshipped M340i.

If you have to buy a new car today, it has to be the X3 M40i. An SUV you can drive to your factory without worry, has adaptive suspension (huge advantage) and will be way more practical than the M340i for your purposes.

Are you open to used? You already have a luxury sedan & an SUV. How about a used Mustang? Or a Porsche? Or an ///M car / AMG? A sports car with a luxury sedan (320d), SUV (Tucson) and beater (City) will be quite a garage. I even found a Macan S for you. It is so much fun that you cannot imagine!

Personally, I am in the same shoes as you. Have decided to use my existing cars for longer and hold off on that "special purchase" for 2 - 3 years. Invest that 80-lakhs, make it 1 - 1.4 crores, then go buy something even more special. Am only saying this because you already have a great garage and this 80-lakh spend will be a completely discretionary purchase.

Here's what BHPian revsperminute had to say on the matter:

Why not an X3 40i? It's an SUV which you will be able to use every day, has all the niceties and the same B58 from the M340i. You won't catch me recommending an SUV over a sedan anywhere on this forum but yours is the perfect scenario for the X3.

PS- If you really feel like going all out, a Mini convertible will be super fun to drive

Here's what BHPian Paddleshifter had to say on the matter:

As you have been already owning the 320D, I’d suggest a different car this time (in context of the //M you listed alongwith XC40 recharge). You have mentioned about backseat in your post so you will not be a solo driver I guess. As I have never experienced cars from this segment, I’d refrain from making recommendations and listing my reasons. Secondly, good pre owned options have already been listed above so i am sticking with the new purchase in my post.

I would love to know why you did not consider the Volvo S90, Audi A6, Mercedes E class (slightly above budget) or the Lexus ES300h? All these are nowhere close to being the driver’s car (like the M) but are known to be super comfortable for all pasengers, in their respective territories/ categories. The base of Lexus being the Camry, it shall be super reliable too for more than a decade of ownership.

Here's what BHPian Jatin247 had to say on the matter:

I am of the view that one should definitely have a luxury performance sedan in his garage and M340i is the perfect car to fulfil this gap in your garage. Though it wouldn’t be an upgrade in terms of space as compared to your 320d but every time you will push the accelerator, you will feel the difference.

Spending big bucks and not using the car much is a big disadvantage as you wouldn’t be able to get that value out from the product.

On the other side you should really consider X3 M40i too. It would be a perfect car for factory runs too and with the B58 inside the hood, the performance would be great too.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The electric car will be part of our garage, which already has the C200, X1, Discovery Sport and a Seltos.

BHPian redeff recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello folks! Didn't think I'd be putting up a What Car post here, but I think that this is one question that needs to be asked.

Last year, out of abundant caution, we booked both the XC40. 400 BHP EV sounded too good to be true. Also, the Volvos can be pretty classy! The car retails for around 60L OTR and I was quite convinced that this is the pick of the lot.

Until I sat in the MG ZS EV. The look and the interiors of the ZS just blew me away! Suddenly, paying double for the same body style and perhaps similar levels of space didn't seem to make that much sense. But, the Volvo interiors are quite premium and the promise of having 400 BHP on the tap means that it was not quite out of the running just yet. What did hurt it though, was the long waiting and lack of any information or follow-up.

So I did what any rational BHPian would. I also booked the i4.

The i4 has a few advantages over the XC40, mainly that it is a sedan, one segment above, has more contemporary interiors and has more space in the back. On the other hand, If I just cared about space, I'd get the 3 series limo. (Wish that came in an EV avatar!)

The kicker though is the price. The only allocation I can get is the i4 with the aerodynamic kit. This pushes the price up to above 80 big ones on the road. That is 33.33% more than the XC40 recharge. It has lesser power but more range.

The only reason to consider the BMW is that the men in the family (including me, my father my brother) love sedans. However, the only sedan we have currently is our C200 - 2017. The others are all crossovers and SUVs - an old BMW X1 (which may be on the way out in a few years), a Land Rover Disco Sport and a Kia Seltos. We keep our luxury cars for a good 10 years minimum (the X1 is already 11) and we have been lucky to not have much trouble with them. We do not expect that to change anytime soon.

So? What do we do? Listen to the head and go for the XC40? or the heart and go for the i4? Let the hunger games begin!!

Update: Well, the KIA is out simply because we purchased a KIA last year (yes, I know Seltos is a different segment altogether, but still). I reckon this car will be primarily used every day from Santacruz to Fort (South Mumbai) and some local visits over the weekend to say Bandra or Andheri. For out-of-town travel, I expect the Land Rover to do the primary duty with the Benz being the backup.

Not going for any ICE car this time around.

My only reservation with the XC40 is the fact that the backseat is said to be quite tiny and uncomfortable. It may not be used regularly, but after spending 60 lakhs on a car, you'd at least expect enough recline and leg space. I know the i4 has a sloping roof, but we are all short, so that should not be much of an issue.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Both are great EVs, but would you be open to looking past the luxury brands? If yes, I would recommend the Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq 5 to you. These EVs are built on dedicated EV platforms (XC40 & i4 are based on ICE cars and have compromises), and offer the very latest EV tech and a better electric driving experience. I would pick the Ioniq 5 because of its CKD pricing, although the EV6's styling is very, very alluring.

If it has to be between the XC40 & I4, I'd go with the XC40 because of the price and crossover benefits. Instead of the I4, I would frankly buy a same-price 5-Series which is superior in so many ways (including quality).

Sit in the Superb or Camry and you'll wonder why the 3-Series or I4 at double the price.

Here's what BHPian Akshay1234 had to say on the matter:

The i4 may not be the most practical for Mumbai with our beautiful roads. I know at least 2 people who have sold off the car quickly after getting it because it used to scrape pretty much everywhere.

Here's what BHPian iliketurtles had to say on the matter:

If I were you, I would not pick the i4 as Akshay correctly pointed out its abysmal ground clearance. I too have heard similar tales of BMW bottoming out.

You seem to enjoy having a little more than a modicum of power at your disposal. For that reason alone, I would recommend you look at the Kia EV6. Don’t gauge it by horsepower numbers; it is quicker than the BMW (significantly), and only a few tenths slower than the Volvo. But what you stand to gain is so much more; a genuinely fun-to-drive chassis that goads you to drive fast, excellent range, acres of space, and the fastest charging architecture of all the cars mentioned here. The Kia’s only true negatives are its pricing and the badge. Look beyond that, and it’s a winner. Take a test drive of it at the very least, you’d be surprised by it.

The Ioniq 5 is excellent too but is significantly down on power (just some 220-ish BHP), and easy to recommend if you look past that one major fly in the ointment.

If the choice is between the two contenders you mentioned, I would pick the XC40. But there are rumblings of a facelift or whatever Volvo calls it happening, so be on the lookout for news of that. You don’t want a car that’s missing key features just a few weeks/months before it gets added.

Here's what BHPian Axe77 had to say on the matter:

I’m with GTO on this. I would say go with either the Ioniq or the EV6.

• You already have a couple of luxury brands in your garage so there isn’t a per se pull to own a luxury brand with this one.
• i4 is definitely avoidable for the reason Akshay mentioned - the ground clearance will be really poor, plus for that price, there are too many better ways to spend your money - a 5 series, an M340i and what have you.
• It’s rare to say this but either the Ioniq or the EV6 will be leaps and bounds ahead in their road presence, compared to and despite the luxury badge on the XC40. It will probably provide a more special ownership experience than even owning the Volvo. The only consideration is whether you consciously want the size and footprint of the XC 40 instead of the much larger Koreans, in which case you could also consider the Byd Atto 3 or go back to the MG ZS EV option.
• If you’re comfortable with Kia or Hyundai as a brand, I don’t think owning the Seltos should be a reason to avoid either of these. They sport a completely different look from any of the conventional ICE vehicles from their respective stables so unless your brand experience has been poor I’d say these are definitely worth considering.

Here's what BHPian androdev had to say on the matter:

XC40, while classy, feels underwhelming compared to the i4 and the XC40 design has been around for a long time. Both are good choices but I feel it's the Volvo that's a bit overpriced.

Ioniq and EV6 are not cheap either. Ignoring the badge factor, I am not able to put these cars in the same category as XC40/i4. I don't like the looks of EV6 - it looks weird in person (DRLs are dated, and rear quarter design is not my thing). Pictures are flattering. Ioniq is great looking (a rare feat from Hyundai) but the interiors look concept-car-like: novel but lack a luxury feel and not likely to wear out well.

Maybe you should wait for some time till the luxury brands offer more EV options and buy MG ZS EV as a stopgap solution.

Here's what BHPian shyampsunder had to say on the matter:

I test-drove the XC40 recharge and it simply blew my mind. It was a supercar-like performance at a pretty decent price. If I had the budget, I would've been very tempted to go for it but the decision was made simpler due to the budget and I went with the ZS EV.

One thing that is very important in the Indian context is efficiency. While the XC40's battery is more than 50% bigger than the ZS EV the official range of the XC40's is roughly 30 KMs is lower. This can come to bite you during long drives. While the ZS EV or the Ioniq 5 can add around 120 KMs on a quick 30 min charge on a 50 KW charger, the Volvo may add only 60 KMs forcing you to spend double the time. On a 25 KW charger, matters will be even worse. With the massive number of Nexons and Tiagos getting sold, CPOs will focus majorly on 25 KW with some 50 KW charger deployment.

Infrastructure is rapidly improving with chargers going live every week but it's important to consider how efficiency will play out with your travel plans. I have heard of XC40's spending up to 2 hours on DC chargers primarily due to the low efficiency. I expect the XC40's real-world efficiency with some spirited driving to be around 200-220 km based on my experience with the ZS EV.

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