[rlboston]

I don't know about all these people complaining with anecdotes. I think they have overblown expectations and I believe they lack the technical familiarity with cars. Frankly, I'll respond with my own: I love my XC40 and really feel it has excellent build quality. I've owned brand new, recent-year Toyotas, Hondas, Subarus, and Fords and Volvo is my favorite overall. I have a friend that owned an Audi and when he needed to have something replaced or fixed, the part $ was exorbitant (eg. the sunroof shade latch was $150). I recently took my XC40 on some SERIOUS 4WD trails in Colorado and had to replace multiple underbody air panels, I ripped out the rear-drivers-side wheel well panel because the mud guard caught the ground, and I bent two underbody steel cross-members because I was bottoming out on rock. I was concerned at the parts cost because I bought it in 2019. Replacement panels, body screws and bolts, and steel crossmembers all told was ~$150.... parts or a brand new MODEL. Frankly, after now having intimate experience looking at the body construction and the engineering insight that went into design (I do my own oil changes as evidence I actually WANT to know and understand my own car), I am confident Volvo's engineering and constructability is far and above the brands I've known. Volvo inherited Ford's constructability when they were owned by them. Volvos look good, use good quality materials (unlike Toyota), and don't overcomplicate design like Audi.

Funny I've been thinking about your post. I traded in a Jeep Wrangler that left me sitting, went through a Mercedes GLA, fine vehicle, yawn, and now own an XC40 Recharge and love, love, love it! The only concern for winter is the ground clearance. Should I think about a lift kit?

 

[rlboston]

The Recharge has at least 7 inches of clearance, probably more than any current EV.

The Jeep Wrangler has 9.7, I had to look it up. I would think nothing of hopping curbs in it. I wouldn't do that with the Recharge.