Compare the2022 Chevrolet BoltVS 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Bolt are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Chevrolet Bolt has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Bolt and the XC40 Recharge have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, its “Acceptable” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Bolt the rating of “Top Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 160 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XC40 Recharge has not been tested, yet.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Bolt 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC40 Recharge. Any repair needed on the motor, lithium batteries, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC40 Recharge ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 10 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Bolt’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 69 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 31st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 12th in reliability, above the industry average. With 28 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 1 place higher in reliability than Volvo.

On the EPA test cycle the Bolt gets better fuel mileage than the XC40 Recharge (131 city/109 hwy vs. 85 city/72 hwy MPGe).

The Bolt’s maximum EPA estimated driving range is 259 miles on a full charge, 25% further than the XC40 Recharge’s 208-mile range.

The Bolt has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires standard on the Bolt can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

For better maneuverability, the Bolt’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the XC40 Recharge’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Chevrolet Bolt may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1150 pounds less than the Volvo XC40 Recharge.

The Bolt is 11 inches shorter than the XC40 Recharge, making the Bolt easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Chevrolet Bolt amounts to more than styling. The Bolt has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .31 Cd. That is lower than the XC40 Recharge (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Bolt get better fuel mileage.

The Bolt has 1.1 inches more front headroom and 3.4 inches more front legroom than the XC40 Recharge.

The Bolt has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 Recharge with its rear seat folded (57 vs. 46.6 cubic feet).

The Bolt has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Bolt has standard extendable sun visors. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Bolt was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2017. The XC40 Recharge has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Bolt was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2017. The XC40 Recharge has never been an “All Star.”

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Bolt as the 2017 North American Car of the Year. The XC40 Recharge has never been chosen.