Compare the2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In HybridVS 2023 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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the XC40 Recharge have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the XC40 Recharge:

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 67 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XC40 Recharge has not been fully tested, yet.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The XC40 Recharge’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC40 Recharge. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the XC40 Recharge ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai above average in initial quality. With 62 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 108 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 14 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 422 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The XC40 Recharge’s range is only 223 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 40 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a professionally installed 220-volt charging station can take up to 8 hours.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 2.1 inches longer than on the XC40 Recharge (108.5 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XC40 Recharge (8.3 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 650 pounds less than the Volvo XC40 Recharge.

The front grille of the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has 7.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC40 Recharge (105.9 vs. 98).

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has 2.5 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom and 3.4 inches more rear legroom than the XC40 Recharge.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The XC40 Recharge’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC40 Recharge with its rear seat up (31.9 vs. 16 cubic feet). The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 Recharge with its rear seat folded (66.3 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, using the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the XC40 Recharge.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a higher standard payload capacity than the XC40 Recharge (1132 vs. 960 lbs.).

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the XC40 Recharge.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the Volvo XC40 by over 9 to one during 2022.