Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric 2021: priced from $76,990 in Australia

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Volvo has announced the fully electric 2021 XC40 Recharge Pure Electric small SUV will be available from $76,990 (before on-road costs) when it arrives in Australia in the third quarter of this year.

When it arrives it will be available in a single luxury-focused grade and will sit alongside the XC40 Recharge PHEV, which is a plug-in hybrid capable of around 45km of electric-only range.

The fully electric XC40 is capable of 418km (WLTP) on a single charge, thanks to a sizable 78kWh battery, a figure is about average for an EV SUV, and while the Hyundai Kona Electric can stretch a bit further with 484km of range (WLTP) it won’t offer the same level of luxury.

Buyers will also enjoy the standard fitment of all-wheel drive which adds a motor at the front and rear axle, developing a combined 300kW of power and 660Nn of torque.

Those figures will make it the fastest XC40 by some margin, with the 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine variant making 185kW/350Nm – but that model costs noticeably less with prices starting at $52,990 (before on-road costs) when you option all-wheel drive.

When driven in anger, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds, matching the same time as a performance-focused Kia Stinger.

Once your battery runs out Volvo says you can recharge at speeds of up to 150kW, meaning you can top up the system from 0 to 80 per cent in around 40 minutes.

Some of the key advantages over the petrol version is the additional storage at the front with a small but still handy 31L storage capacity.

The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is the first car to debut wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which is beamed up to a nine-inch touchscreen in the centre.

To ensure the EV SUV lives up to its premium promise, Volvo has fitted luxury leather accented seats along with a complex air cleaning system designed to keep the air free of pollutants.

The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric also includes niceties such as heated seats in the front and rear, a Harmon Kardon Premium Sound System, and a 360-degree camera.

Externally the EV differentiates itself with a blanked grille inserted for great aerodynamic efficiency matched with the and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Volvo XC40 2021: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

T4 Momentum (FWD): $47,490
T4 Inscription (AWD): $52,990
T5 R-Design (AWD): $56,990
Recharge PHEV: $64,990
Recharge Pure Electric: $76,990