There’s a new plug-in hybrid in town. Yes, it’s a Volvo. No, it’s not a T8. 

The 2021 XC40 Recharge T5 is the latest addition to the Swedish carmaker’s range of electrified, locally-assembled offerings. And as its label indicates, the newest variant of Gothenburg’s beloved compact SUV is the first PHEV from Volvo Car Malaysia that doesn’t derive combustion power from the brand’s signature two-litre powertrain. Instead, the petrol component under the hood is a 1.5-litre mill with only three cylinders; one that isn’t a stranger to the Malaysian market at that. 

At the heart of the new XC40 Recharge T5 is largely the same turbocharged and direct-injected three-banger powering the Proton X50 Flagship. However, the engine’s deployment in the CMA platform sees it hooked up to a 60kW electric motor and 10.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack for a combined output of 262PS and 425Nm. The same seven-speed dual-clutch transmission shifting gears in the X50 features here as well, but power delivery is reserved to the front wheels in contrast to what you’d get in the existing XC40 T5 AWD. 

Zero to 100kph is fairly zippy at 7.3 seconds but it’s the XC40 Recharge T5’s economy figures that truly impress. Average consumption is rated at a whopping 60km per litre – that works out to only 2.2 litres per 100km – while the official claim for the Recharge’s electric-only range is 44km. That’s roughly PJ to Cyberjaya without a single drop of fuel, or KL to Seremban on a little over RM3 based on current RON95 prices. Carbon emissions on a combined cycle are consequently low at 50g/100km.

There’s a fair amount of style to go with the eco-conscious package too. Dressed in a similar fashion to its non-PHEV namesake, the XC40 Recharge T5 wears the sporty yet familiar R Design grille, 19-inch wheels and a cabin free of wood and beige-ness. Visually, it’s a very sharp outfit for a relatively minimalistic vehicle, but we’d be lying if we said we weren’t hoping for an Inscription-spec car considering we’ve not gotten the XC40 in any other configuration ever since it was first launched here as a CBU in 2018.

Feature-wise, Volvos have always been consistently well-equipped across the board and the XC40 Recharge T5 is no exception. Full LED lighting, a nine-inch Sensus touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, dual-zone climate control and a wireless charger are among the creature comforts on offer, while things are similarly generous on the safety front. Buyers get seven airbags, Pilot Assist and Park Assist to name a few. 

In terms of pricing, the XC40 Recharge T5 comes in just a single spec that retails for RM255,888 on-the-road without insurance. However, early birds stand to save close to RM14k as the car goes for a discounted RM241,997 for as long as the government’s sales tax exemption is in effect. Additionally, the first 50 customers to make an online booking will receive a complimentary pair of Bowers & Wilkins headphones worth RM2,800. 

As per our previous reports, the official factory warranty will run for five years with no mileage cap while the battery is covered for up to eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first.