Electric vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, and this is reinforced by the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volvo XC40 Recharge. Some muscle car purists still fume that Ford used the Mustang label here, though driving one of the more powerful upper trims proves this horse can run.
The XC40 Recharge follows a more familiar subcompact SUV blueprint. In fact, at a glance, it’s hard to spot this electrified version from its gas-powered sibling, the XC40. About the only visual giveaway is the blanked-off front grille. Like the Mustang Mach-E, there’s room for five onboard.
What else might they have in common? Let’s explore the highlights of each to see how the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volvo XC40 Recharge compare.
2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E
The standard rear-wheel-drive Ford Mustang Mach-E with its single electric motor is plenty peppy, comfortable, and practical. Starting at $41,890, including delivery fees, the entry-level price is actually several thousand dollars less expensive than it was for the 2023 model year.
Higher trims with dual electric motors and all-wheel drive — such as the Premium, GT, and Rally — have anywhere from 325 to 480 horsepower. They have sharp reflexes, eerily quiet rides, and awesome acceleration.
Ford Mustang Mach-E Highlights
Mach-E Rally model: New for the 2024 model year, the Rally trim has more off-road attitude worked into it. It features a 0.8-inch suspension lift, underbody skid plates, chunkier tires, a large rear spoiler, and 19-inch alloy wheels. As the name implies, it’s basically an electrified take on a road-going rally car.
Expansive infotainment screen: Dominating the dashboard’s center is a vertically mounted 15.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. Thanks to its quick response times and large icons, we found it easy to use while driving. You get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless device charging, satellite radio, and navigation as standard equipment.
Solid driving range: Depending on the trim and powertrain, the Mustang Mach-E’s range stretches from 230 to 320 miles per charge. That’s competitive with a number of rivals, including the XC40 Recharge. DC fast charging lets a Ford Mustang Mach-E go from 10% to 80% charge in about 33 minutes.
Drainable front trunk: That’s correct; the 4.7-cubic foot front trunk (or “frunk”) has removable drain holes if you’d like it to serve as a cooler for tailgating.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Mustang Mach-E models near you.
2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge
We think the XC40 Recharge is an excellent choice for someone who wants an EV yet doesn’t need to shout from the hills that they’re driving one. In other words, it’s a little more subtle, though still very handsome.
Like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the XC40 Recharge comes standard with a single electric motor that sends 248 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. At 254 to 293 miles, the range is similar to that of the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Pricing starts at $53,745 for the base Core model.
Volvo XC40 Recharge Highlights
Elegant interior: We find the cabin of the XC40 Recharge attractive and airy. The front seats are extremely supportive and great if long journeys factor into your driving routine.
Strong safety scores: As you expect from Volvo, safety is a top priority. Standard driver aids consist of automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, rain-sensing wipers, and more. It’s also worth noting the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the XC40 Recharge its highest rating of Top Safety Pick+.
Google-based infotainment system: Standard is a Google-based infotainment system with over-the-air updates, natural voice voice commands, highly accurate Google Maps-based navigation, and controlled via a 9-inch touchscreen.
Acceleration with dual-motor model: Choose to go with the dual-motor powertrain, and you will have 402 hp and 494 lb-ft of torque at your disposal. The sprint from a standstill to 60 mph takes only 4.5 seconds.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the XC40 Recharge models near you.
Similarities
There is a lot of overlap between the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volvo XC40 Recharge in terms of range, performance, and their very comfortable (and quiet) rides.
Conclusion
In short, the Ford is the more practical and value-conscious choice, while the Volvo is more fashionable and luxurious. There are some notable things to keep in mind when considering which is a better fit for your EV needs.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E has a flashier design and roomier rear seats, not to mention a larger cargo area behind the second row. However, its charging speed is starting to trail that of some rivals.
The Volvo XC40 Recharge is an under-the-radar EV, not to mention one with a great safety record. Downsides include the fact that taller adults will feel the squeeze in the second row, and cargo space is small for even a subcompact SUV.
| 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E | 2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge | |
| Starting Price | $41,890 | $53,745 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Single electric motor | Single electric motor |
| Horsepower | 264 hp | 248 hp |
| Torque | 387 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Single-speed automatic | Single-speed automatic |
| Range | 230-320 miles of range/102 MPGe combined | 254-293 miles of range/106 MPGe combined |
| Also Available | Dual electric motors, extended range battery pack, AWD | Dual electric motors, extended range battery pack, AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | NA | NA |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 117.5 inches | 106.4 inches |
| Overall Length | 185.6 inches | 174.8 inches |
| Width | 74.1 inches | 73.3 inches |
| Height | 64.0 inches | 64.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.1 feet | 37.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38.9 inches | 40.6 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.2 inches | 39.1 inch |
| Legroom, Front | 43.3 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.1 inches | 36.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.6 inches | 56.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.9 inches | 56.3 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 29.7 cubic feet behind second row/59.7 behind first row | 16.0 cubic feet behind second row/57.5 behind first row |
