Why Would You Buy a Volvo XC40 Recharge When the Tesla Model Y ‘Costs Less and Goes Farther’?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The EV market is heating up, and consumers have many options among new EVs. One such option is the 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge electric crossover SUV. In fact, it’s one of the Swedish automaker’s first EVs. But unfortunately for Volvo, the Tesla Model Y is better in almost every way.

Car and Driver’s three weeks of testing for its 2021 EV of the Year award

2021 Tesla Model Y and 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge | Zhe Ji/Getty Images and Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

It’s one thing for an automaker to say a car can do something; it’s another thing for that car to do those things in the real world. So Car and Driver tested 11 of the most popular EVs for three weeks to determine its 2021 EV of the Year. C/D’s testers put the EVs through the paces, including a 1,000-mile rally and a 75-mph highway fuel-economy test.

Car and Driver tested other aspects of the EVs, too, and then voted. Despite facing stiff competition from the Tesla Model 3, Audi e-tron, and Porsche Taycan 4S, among many other EVs, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E won the day.

However, not every consumer wants a Mach-E, so there are plenty of other good options on the list, including the Tesla Model Y and Volvo XC40 Recharge. That said, it’s clear from C/D’s reviews that the Model Y is better than the XC40 Recharge.

Volvo XC40 Recharge and Tesla Model Y comparison

The Volvo XC40 Recharge is the all-electric version of the XC40, and it gets a significant performance boost, Car and Driver reported. Instead of making 248 hp, the Recharge produces 402 hp thanks to its two electric motors. This massive increase in power allows the Recharge to go from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.3 seconds. 

That said, the XC40 Recharge’s 75-kWh battery doesn’t provide much range. It can go 208 miles on a full charge, but C/D’s test drivers got only 180 miles during the 75-mph highway fuel economy test. Furthermore, the XC40 Recharge starts at a hefty $55,000. That price might justify the EV’s great safety rating and advanced interior features, but it doesn’t really justify this model compared to competitors.

According to Car and Driver, the Volvo XC40 Recharge is a good compact SUV, but it’s not a good EV. That’s in large part because of the Tesla Model Y, another compact electric SUV. C/D’s reviewer simply summed up the issue by saying the XC40 Recharge’s main problem is that the Model Y “costs less and goes farther.”

The Tesla Model Y is better where it matters

With a base price tag of about $51,000, the Tesla Model Y costs about $4,000 less than the Volvo XC40 Recharge. To be fair to the XC40, the standard Model Y is a bit slower, reaching 60 mph in about 4.8 seconds. However, the standard Model Y, traveling 326 miles on a full charge, has a much better range than the XC40 Recharge.

Buyers can upgrade their Model Y by getting the Performance trim, pushing the price higher than the XC40 Recharge. The Model Y Performance starts at around $61,000, but this model is faster than the Volvo. The Model Y Performance can zip from 0 to 60 mph in about 3.6 seconds, yet it still has a nearly 300-mile range. So the XC40 Recharge can’t keep up with the Model Y no matter what.

RELATED: The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Came Last on This List of 2021 Electric Cars

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What Are the Fastest Electric Scooters in 2021?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

For affordable, simple urban transportation, scooters can be just as effective as motorcycles. And just like motorcycles, scooter companies are increasingly going electric. But just because scooters are designed around city riding doesn’t mean they can’t zip around at highway-like speeds. And that’s exactly what some of the fastest electric scooters on the US market today offer.

Scooters vs. motorized scooters

A line of Lime and Tier electric motorized scooters in London, England | Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

Before describing the fastest electric scooters available, there’s some terminology that needs explaining.

The term ‘electric scooter’ technically doesn’t apply to the kinds of scooters available through brands like Bird and Razor. These are ‘motorized scooters,’ i.e., scooters powered by some kind of motor, battery-powered or otherwise. As such, they’re really ‘electric motorized scooters,’ which is the term used to describe them below.

A ‘real’ electric scooter, therefore, is something like a Vespa or a Honda Ruckus, albeit with an EV powertrain. They’re not electric mopeds or e-bikes, because they don’t have supplemental pedal power. But seeing as they have “two wheels, a motor, and a seat,” they’re technically related to electric motorcycles, Cycle World says. And unlike motorized scooters, they don’t have a flat deck designed for standing.

A black Dualtron X2 electric motorized scooter with the optional seat
Dualtron X2 electric motorized scooter with optional seat | Mini Motors USA

That being said, there are models that blur the line between the two categories. The Dualtron X2 electric scooter, for example, is available with a seat. But since the seat is optional, it’s still a motorized scooter. Also, unlike, say, a Vespa, the X2 is foldable. And depending on where you live, an electric motorized scooter doesn’t require a specific license, Genuine Scooters notes.

But regardless of the specific term, electric scooters aren’t necessarily slow. And below are the top three fastest models in each scooter category.

In 2021, the BMW CE 04 is the fastest electric scooter in the US

A blue-and-gray-clad rider on a gray-and-orange 2022 BMW CE 04 on a city street
2022 BMW CE 04 front 3/4 | BMW

The BMW CE 04 is technically a 2022 model. But since it’s available to order in 2021, it’s allowed onto this list. And technicality aside, the $11,795 CE 04 is the fastest electric scooter you can buy in the US. Its rear-mounted electric motor makes 42 hp and 44 lb-ft of torque and is linked to an 8.9-kWh battery pack. That’s enough to give the CE 04 an electronically limited 75-mph top speed.

Right below the BMW CE 04 is Retrospective Scooters’ converted electric classic Vespa. Although the company is based in the UK, its kits are US-legal and start at roughly $4800. And while Retrospective’s electric motor only puts out 4 hp, that’s enough to get the Vespa EV to 55 mph. Plus, if you convert a large-frame Vespa scooter to electric drive, you can install up to two 2.3-kWh packs for a claimed 115-mile range. But you’ll have to supply the vintage scooter yourself.

A silver-and-blue 2021 Vespa Elettrica
2021 Vespa Elettrica | Piaggio

Speaking of electric Vespa scooters, there are two modern models available from Piaggio. The faster one is the $7599 Vespa Elettrica 45MPH, and as the name implies, it tops out at 45 mph. That’s thanks to the 5-hp electric motor linked to a 4.2-kWh battery pack, enough for a 62-mile claimed range.

What are the fastest electric motorized scooters?

The rear 3/4 view of the carbon-fiber-and-aluminum Rion Thrust electric motorized scooter on a rocky hill
Rion Thrust rear 3/4 | Rion

As quick as the electric scooters are, the fastest electric motorized scooter flies past them all. It’s the Rion Thrust, the successor to the limited-edition RE90. At $8500 it’s rather expensive for a motorized scooter. But then, it’s mostly made of carbon fiber and has aluminum suspension components. As a result, it only weighs 69 pounds.

The Rion Thrust is available in two trims: 21s7p prioritizes range while 20s8p goes for max power. Both models, though, come with dual electric motors. And together with the low curb weight and slick tires, the Thrust maxes out at 80 mph. Though even in 21s7p form, the electric motorized scooter only has about 50 miles of range. Also, it’s technically not street-legal.

Slotting in below the Rion Thrust is Voro Motors’ Kaboo Wolf King. At 105 pounds, it’s heavier than the Thrust. However, at $2799, it’s noticeably cheaper, has the same 50-mile range, and is street-legal. And it comes with hydraulic suspension and ABS as well as optional off-road tires. But if you want to it the Wolf King’s max speed, it’s best to stick with the street tires. With those, the scooter’s dual 2-hp electric motors let it go up to 62 mph.

A gray NAMI BURN-E electric motorized scooter
NAMI BURN-E | Fluid Freeride

Finally, we have a tie. In third place for ‘fastest electric motorized scooter’ are the Turbowheel Phaeton and the NAMI BURN-E, both of which top out at 60 mph. The former is a 132-lb $3999 scooter with dual 2-hp electric motors and like the Wolf King, hydraulic brakes, and LED lighting. But uniquely on this list, it comes with an adjustable steering damper. As for the $4499 BURN-E, it also has hydraulic brakes and dual 2-hp motors. However, its LED lighting system also includes turn signals, unlike the Wolf King, and it has hydraulic coil-over suspension.

So, whether you want an electric scooter or a motorized one, lack of speed doesn’t have to be an issue.

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The 2005 Pontiac Aztek Is the $2,000 Summer Adventure Car You Didn’t Know You Wanted

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There are few pleasures like finding the perfect summer “beater” car at a bargain price. Lovers of outdoor adventure know that vehicles can take a severe beating in the name of fun. All of those dents, dings, scratches, and claw marks hurt much less on a car that cost next to nothing. The 2005 Pontiac Aztek is so cheap you won’t mind putting it through its paces.

All the bells and whistles you could ask for

Pontiac Aztek | Daniel Lippitt/AFP via Getty Images

The key to a great adventure is preparing for anything. The Pontiac loaded the Aztek with gear and accessories for last-minute trips and well-planned excursions alike. These accessories are part of why this is the ultimate cheap SUV for outdoor activities. 

Car campers will love the custom-fitted air mattress that fills the rear cargo area. There’s no need for a travel trailer or hotel room on long trips when you can comfortably sleep in the Aztek. The Aztek comes with a custom tent that attaches to the vehicle’s hatch for those who need a little more living space.

One of the most practical stand-out features is the onboard air compressor. Aztek drivers can effortlessly inflate bike tires, rafts, air mattresses, and more. It helps blow sand, mud, and water off of gear for easy clean-up.

The price is the best part

Sometimes a flaw becomes advantageous. The Pontiac Aztek’s biggest failure is its dismal popularity. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more hated SUV. From 2000 to 2005, the Aztek was picked apart by critics and publicly roasted.

Critics slammed its appearance calling it a minivan in SUV clothing. The interior was said to be made with cheap materials, and the Aztek’s weak engine failed to impress. That translates to rock-bottom pricing for used car shoppers.

Kelly Blue Book lists the fair market range for the 2005 Pontiac Aztek from $1,823 to $4,252. Shoppers can find Azteks with decent milage at dealerships and from private sellers for around $2,000. At this price point, it’s easy to forgive the Aztek its shortcomings.

It’s not all sunshine and roses

A blue Pontiac Aztek SUV on display
Pontiac Aztek | Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

For around $2,000, the Pontiac Aztek is a decent, cheap, well-appointed car for occasional outdoor adventures. It’s also a quirky, offbeat choice with a lot of character. There are also many things it is not. 

The Aztek is not luxurious. Pontiac built this SUV economically, and it shows, especially in the interior. The plastics used in the cabin feel cheap and flimsy to test drivers and reviewers. Creature comforts like cupholders are also in short supply.

Buyers looking for a high-performance SUV should look elsewhere. This is not a tight-cornering sleeper. The Aztek has been called slow and clumsy. At 19 mpg combined, its fuel economy leaves much to be desired.  

With realistic expectations, used car shoppers can get a lot of fun and adventure out of this awkward SUV. Think of it as a minivan optimized for the outdoor experience, and the Aztek might not disappoint. For $2,000 (sometimes even less), this unpopular and sometimes hated SUV is a perfectly priced knock-around car for Summer.

RELATED: The Pontiac Aztek Is Actually Cool Now

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The Ford Mustang Mach-E Just Set Another Record

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a record-breaker. It has shattered numerous records already, and now the new EV has laid claim to yet another accolade. A BBC reporter has set a new record for EV range efficiency. In the test, the reporter, Paul Clifton, along with Fergal McGrath and Kevin Brooker, managed an average of 6.45 miles per kWh in the Mustang Mach-E. The trio set a Guinness World Record for EV efficiency with that number.

The Ford Mustand Mach-E sets an incredible precedent

The new Mach-E in China | VCG via Getty Images

Now, that number may seem deceptively small, but we promise it isn’t. One mile per kWh (kilowatt-hour) is equivalent to a massive 33.7 MPGe, the gasoline equivalent for EVs. As a result, some quick math reveals that the Mach-E managed a stunning 217.37 MPGe, a truly unheard-of number. For context, a Chevy Bolt will manage a combined 120 MPGe. That’s quite a feat for the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Additionally, the team of journalists only spent around 45 minutes charging on their journey. And it was quite a journey. The group traveled from Joan o’Groats to Land’s End in the UK. That’s an 840-mile route. In context, that’s like driving from Los Angeles to Denver, Colorado on two tanks of gas. Having made that drive personally, I promise it’s more than two tanks of gas to cover that distance in 99% of vehicles. Clearly, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is in that 1%, and a record-breaker in other categories as well.

The E is a record breaker in more ways than one

A red Mach-E sits on a street corner plugged into a charger in the sun
The 2021 Mustang Mach-E | Ford

Previously, the Mustang Mach-E outsold its gas-powered sibling, the legendary Mustang Coupe. According to Ford, the Mach-E managed to outsell the O.G ‘Stang by a narrow margin, but a margin nonetheless. The Mach-E sold 2,465 units to the coupe’s 2,240 units. It seems the accolades just keep rolling in for the popular EV.

As they should. The new Ford Mustang Mach-E offers exactly what Ford wanted it to. Their new infotainment system is fantastic, though the phone-as-a-key system can be a little glitchy. Despite its coupe-ish silhouette, the Mach-E is plenty practical for consumers too. Now, with this most recent range-related accolade, the Mach-E promises to make range anxiety a thing of the past. Moreover, there’s a new performance-leaning version of the Mach-E, which borrows yet more ‘Stang-inspired traits to the table.

The new Mach-E GT brings more to the party

A woman plugs a charger into the blue Ford Mustang Mach-E
The 2021 Mustang Mach-E charging | Ford

Critically, the new Mustang Mach-E GT will feature Ford’s magnetic ride system, a true game-changer in both ride comfort and sporty handling, all combined with the Mach-E’s practicality. It’s clear Ford wants to make the GT their new do-it-all vehicle in EV form. A sort of electric Ford Focus RS, if you will. While it’s a shame the RS isn’t around anymore, the GT will hopefully fill that hole in consumer’s hearts. Let’s just hope its range can live up to the long-legged base model Ford Mustang Mach-E EV.

RELATED: People Are Already Flipping Ford Broncos

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