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There are a lot of EVs on the market right now, and it can be hard to consider every single one when making a purchasing decision. The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge is a very capable EV, but many customers have overlooked the XC40 Recharge despite being a better EV than many of its competitors. In fact, here’s a look at five reasons why EV shoppers should buy a 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge instead of a luxurious Jaguar I-Pace.

1. The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge is a more affordable luxury EV

A mint colored Volvo XC40 parked indoors.
Volvo XC40 | Getty Images

While both are luxury electric SUVs full of comfort and tech features, there is a significant price difference between the two. According to Edmunds, the I-Pace starts at $70,000. The XC40 Recharge, on the other hand, starts at just under $52,000. This means that the Jaguar is $18,000 more expensive than the Volvo.

Jaguar currently doesn’t offer any trim options on the I-Pace, but Volvo offers two other trims for the XC40 Recharge. Customers can pay $58,000 to get the XC40 Recharge Ultimate, which is the top trim for the car. Even if they choose this trim option, they’ll still be saving $12,000 compared to buying the I-Pace instead.

2. The standard 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge has more horsepower than the Jaguar

Both EVs currently only have one powertrain option, and both are equipped with two electric motors and all-wheel drive as standard. The XC40 Recharge gets 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque with its setup, while the I-Pace gets 394 hp and 512 lb-ft of torque with its setup. Despite this difference in horsepower and torque, both cars have a relatively similar acceleration time.

3. You can fit more stuff inside the 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge

Another thing Volvo has more of is cargo capacity. Both electric SUVs can seat five people. If owners don’t fold the seats down, then the I-Pace can get 23.2 cu-ft of cargo capacity. The XC40 Recharge gets 25 cu-ft of cargo capacity without folding its seats down. This is a 1.8 cu-ft difference.

Their cargo capacity difference gets more prominent when the seats are folded down. The XC40 Recharge has a max cargo capacity of 57.5 cu-ft, while the I-Pace tops out at 55.1 cu-ft. That’s a difference of 2.4 cu-ft. 

4. The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge is a lighter car than the Jaguar I-Pace

On top of that, the Volvo is a much lighter SUV despite having more cargo capacity. According to Edmunds, the XC40 Recharge has a curb weight of 4,662 pounds, while the I-Pace has a curb weight of 4,784 pounds. This is a weight difference of 125 pounds. 

5. The Volvo luxury EV is also the more efficient car

Partially thanks to that weight difference, the XC40 Recharge is also a more efficient EV. Like regular cars, an EV’s efficiency can be measured with MPGe or miles per gallon equivalent. The XC40 Recharge gets 85 MPGe combined, while the I-Pace gets 76 MPGe combined. 

Another way to measure the efficiency of an EV is with the kWh per 100-mile number. Unlike MPGe, the lower this number is, the better. Once again, the XC40 Recharge is a more efficient EV, even with this metric. It only needs 39 kWh to go 100 miles, while the I-Pace needs 44 kWh to go 100 miles. This ultimately means that Jaguar customers will probably have to pay more for electricity than Volvo customers will. 

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