- 1. The Polestar 2 has less horsepower and torque
- 2. AWD comes standard
- 3. The Volvo XC40 Recharge has more cargo space
When it’s time to go shopping for an electric vehicle, buyers will doubtless be delighted that there are increasingly more options on the market. More choices mean you can be a bit pickier and choose what you want, as opposed to taking what’s available whether you like it or not. However, this is also bad because some incredible little EVs like the Volvo XC40 Recharge are being lost in the crowd due to no fault of their own. Even though the Polestar 2 gets more press, we’ve got three excellent reasons you should consider the XC40 Recharge instead.
1. The Polestar 2 has less horsepower and torque
Volvo XC40 Recharge | Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Horsepower and torque both determine how fast a vehicle can go. It’s not a guarantee that a car with less of either will go slower, especially considering the size of the vehicle and the powertrain. Less horsepower and torque also don’t mean that a car doesn’t have great performance, as many vehicles such as the Mazda Miata have proven over the years.
So, what good are these numbers? They give you a better idea of the vehicle’s performance; in most cases, more horsepower and torque mean more fun as you drive.
In this case, the Volvo XC40 Recharge has two electric engines which generate 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. Car and Driver reports it can go from 0 to 60 mph in a very respectable 4.3 seconds.
By comparison, the Polestar 2 gets only 231 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. The acceleration is noticeably lower. It takes a full 6.3 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, which is two seconds slower than the XC40 Recharge.
2. AWD comes standard
Some may argue whether AWD or 4WD is superior, but for everyday driving, AWD is more than adequate. It also makes driving in bad weather more manageable, which is why it’s a pleasant surprise that Volvo offers AWD as a standard feature on the XC40 Recharge.
The Polestar 2 comes with FWD. This is fine for driving on roads with little to no bad weather, but for those who live in areas where snow, sleet, and ice are common, it may mean you’re stuck sitting at home instead of heading to work.
The Polestar 2 offers AWD, but you have to upgrade to the Performance package, which also provides larger wheels and tires and manually adjustable dampers. This increases the price by $5,500. For some buyers, that won’t be an issue, but for others, it may be a deal breaker.
3. The Volvo XC40 Recharge has more cargo space
Do you take the waffle maker, or do you have to leave it behind in favor of the bottle warmer? It may sound like a joke, but if you don’t have that much cargo space, this is a decision you may have to make.
The Volvo XC40 Recharge offers 25 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up. If you lower them down, this increases to 57.5 cubic feet, according to Edmunds. That means plenty of room for your necessities and wants when you head out on vacation.
On the other hand, Edmunds reports the Polestar 2 only offers 15.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up. With the seats lowered, this increases to 39.9 cubic feet. This may not be a big deal for someone traveling solo, but if you have a passenger along for the ride, that 17.6 cubic feet of space will come in very handy.
Keyword: 3 Advantages the 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge Has Over the Polestar 2