Volvo has been a late comer to the EV market, even with the proclamation to be all-electric by 2030. However, there are plans to release five new models to the market in the next few years, so Volvo may well meet its 2030 deadline. The lineup will include a sedan, a wagon, and large and small SUVs.

For years, Tesla has been the undisputed EV champ. Although Volvo has begun to up its EV game, it has some serious competition coming from the Tesla Model Y. Let’s look at four reasons why you should consider a Model Y instead of an XC40 Recharge.

1. The Tesla Model Y has a better driving range

Tesla has been turning up some impressive numbers for range. The Tesla Model Y Long Range and Performance models offer 330 and 303 miles of range, respectively. Car and Driver reports that the Model Y has a Track mode, lowered suspension, and a higher top speed of 155 mph. 

On the other hand, according to Edmunds, the XC40 Recharge only gets 223 miles of range. The 78 kWh battery is larger than the Model Y’s 75 kWh battery, but factors such as the vehicle’s weight mean less range and more stops at the charging station for long trips. Interestingly, the Model Y can produce 450 hp and 471 lb-ft of torque with a smaller battery.

2. The Model Y has better fuel economy

The Tesla Model Y’s fuel economy is much better than the XC40 Recharge. While the fuel economy estimates for the Performance model are 115 MPGe city and 106 MPGe highway, the EPA estimates that the Long Range model is capable of 131 MPGe in the city and 117 MPGe on the highway.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge gets a combined 85 MPGe. However, it will deliver a very respectable 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. Another factor that may contribute to the less-than-stellar MPGe is the weight of the XC40 Recharge.

3. The Tesla Model Y weighs less

EVs are famously heavy due to the heavy batteries they carry. The Tesla Model Y wins in this category with a curb weight of 4,416 lbs when compared to the XC40 Recharge’s hefty 4,741 lbs. This is impressive since the Model Y’s length is 187 inches compared to the XC40Recharge ‘s length of 174.2 inches. 

According to Inside EVs, the XC40 Recharge’s weight issue is attributed to the fact that it does not have a dedicated architecture like the Tesla. The XC40 Recharge is designed to accommodate different types of powertrains, from an internal combustion engine to a hybrid setup to fully electric.

4. The Tesla has more cargo room

Thanks to its longer length, the Tesla Model Y has more cargo room than the Volvo XC40 Recharge. Edmunds states it has 76.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the XC40 Recharge’s max cargo capacity of 57.5 cubic feet. The rear seat of the Model Y folds in a 60/40-split configuration for carrying longer items. Similar to other Teslas, there is also a front trunk, aka frunk, that can accommodate small items.

Tesla has been the leader in the EV industry for a few years, but its reign may be ending as more car manufacturers produce more EVs. For example, Ford’s first EV truck, the F-150 Lightning, has been so popular among consumers that Ford had to stop taking orders due to demand. Automakers are fully embracing the EV transition now and are investing billions to phase out internal combustion engines entirely.