Volvo needs to go all-electric by 2030, however to date it’s taking small steps towards that purpose.
The C40 Recharge is technically Volvo’s first devoted electrical mannequin, as there received’t be a gasoline model. However the C40 Recharge is intently associated to the Volvo XC40, which is accessible with each gasoline and electrical powertrains. It has the identical fundamental platform and powertrain, in addition to the identical Android-based infotainment system. It even seems largely the identical because the XC40, with the principle distinction being a sleeker silhouette.
That stylistic flourish comes at fairly a price. The 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge begins at $59,845 — $7,050 larger than its electrical XC40 Recharge sibling. That’s partly as a result of, whereas the 2022 XC40 Recharge is predicted to be supplied in each Plus and Final trim ranges, the C40 Recharge is simply out there within the higher-level Final spec. Each Volvos qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit score, and should qualify for added state or native incentives, relying on the place you reside.
Design and inside
It’s not usually that Volvo builds a automotive purely as a trend assertion, however that’s the case with the C40 Recharge. Designers principally took an XC40 Recharge and chopped the roof down, giving the C40 a less-boxy profile much like “SUV coupes” just like the BMW X4 that places it extra consistent with different electrical SUVs just like the Volkswagen ID.4, Kia EV6, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Tesla Mannequin Y. Nonetheless, none of these EVs can match the C40’s dramatically swept taillights, which flank a practical rear spoiler. The 2 bumps on the prime of the roof present actual aerodynamic performance as properly, Volvo claims.
Different small variations, together with a brand new entrance bumper and headlights, distinguish the C40 Recharge from the XC40 Recharge for now, however the XC40 is predicted to get those self same tweaks as a part of an upcoming face-lift.
The inside design has the identical easy but trendy look we’ve come to anticipate from Volvo.
We anticipated the C40 Recharge’s curved roof to have an effect on passenger house, however rear seat headroom is pretty near that of the XC40 Recharge, which isn’t probably the most spacious EV round. Nonetheless, the C40 Recharge has much less cargo house than its sibling, in addition to a smaller frunk. That’s not good, because the XC40 Recharge already lagged behind on cargo room in comparison with different equally sized EVs.
One other massive distinction between the XC40 and C40 interiors is the latter’s use of sustainable supplies. Not like the XC40, you possibly can solely order the C40 with a leather-free inside. The upholstery is a mixture of suede and a cloth referred to as Microtech — each produced from recycled PET plastic, the type utilized in soda bottles. Those self same discarded bottles are additionally the uncooked materials for the carpets and dashboard trim, which has a cool topographical map sample. The general design has the identical easy but trendy look we’ve come to anticipate from Volvo. Who mentioned sustainability and magnificence can’t combine?
Tech, infotainment, and driver help
Just like the XC40 Recharge, the C40 Recharge will get a 9.0-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with the identical Android Automotive OS infotainment system rolling out throughout the remainder of Volvo’s lineup. It consists of built-in Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play Retailer connectivity, and Android customers can sync their private profiles to the automotive, offering extra integration than fundamental Android Auto.
Whereas it’s Android-based, the infotainment system does assist standard Bluetooth pairing. Wi-Fi connectivity is accessible as properly, however solely by a separate Volvo Automobiles app. Volvo additionally mentioned it would add Apple CarPlay connectivity through an over-the-air replace by mid-2022.
We favored the format of each the touchscreen, which may swap between a smartphone-like array of icons and a neat four-tile menu show, and the digital instrument cluster, which may show maps or dial again extraneous info in its Calm mode. The middle-console tray housing a USB-C port, 12-volt outlet, and wi-fi charging pad was additionally very house environment friendly.
The touchscreen can swap between a smartphone-like array of icons and a neat four-tile menu show.
On the destructive aspect, the Volvo’s touchscreen doesn’t look very spectacular in comparison with the large screens you will get right this moment in some EVs from mainstream manufacturers, such because the Ford Mustang Mach-E. It additionally looks as if each time we get in a brand new Volvo, there are fewer bodily controls. Whereas that contributes to the elegant inside design, it additionally means digging into the display menus or triggering a pop-up window to entry sure capabilities, which isn’t very elegant. And whereas Google Assistant’s voice recognition is great, you possibly can’t use it to modify SiriusXM satellite tv for pc radio channels.
Just like the XC40 Recharge, the C40 Recharge doesn’t have a begin button. So long as the important thing fob is within the automotive, and an individual is within the driver’s seat, it would begin. Volvo additionally provides a second orange Care Key fob, permitting homeowners to restrict the highest velocity when others borrow the automotive. And the C40 Recharge will get the XC40 Recharge’s elective 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system as commonplace tools.
The C40 Recharge additionally will get Volvo’s full arsenal of driver-assist tech as commonplace tools. That features forward-collision warning, computerized emergency braking, oncoming mitigation by braking (mechanically applies brakes when going through an oncoming car), oncoming lane mitigation, lane-departure warning, lane-keep help, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, and a driver-attention monitor. Volvo’s Pilot Help combines adaptive cruise management and automatic lane centering, nevertheless it’s not as refined as Tesla’s Autopilot, Ford’s BlueCruise, or Basic Motors’ Tremendous Cruise.
Driving expertise
The C40 Recharge shares Volvo’s CMA (Compact Modular Structure) platform with electrical and gasoline variations of the XC40, in addition to the Polestar 2 from Volvo’s spinoff model. The powertrain carries over as properly.
Like the electrical XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2, the C40 Recharge makes use of one electrical motor to energy every axle, enabling all-wheel drive. Collectively, the 2 motors produce 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. Volvo says the C40 Recharge will do zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds — 0.2 seconds faster than the XC40 Recharge and 0.1 seconds behind the Polestar 2. Both means, that makes for a reasonably fast automotive.
Our solely subject was restricted rear visibility by the tiny again window.
The C40 Recharge drove similar to the XC40 Recharge, which means it felt comfy and refined, however not significantly sporty. Of the three CMA EVs, the Polestar 2 is meant to be the motive force’s automotive, in spite of everything. We had been comfortable to sacrifice excessive cornering grip for the C40’s clean journey, quiet cabin, and talent to make bumps disappear. Volvo additionally included a one-pedal driving mode, so you possibly can recuperate most power when decelerating (we recovered an indicated 2% cost whereas descending a steep hill). The one subject was restricted rear visibility by the tiny again window — not an issue you’ll have within the XC40 Recharge.
Volvo additionally quotes a 2,000-pound most towing capability. That’s not quite a bit however, in need of the Rivian R1T pickup truck, most EVs nonetheless aren’t outfitted for towing heavy hundreds.
Vary, charging, and security
Like its Volvo XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2 platform mates, the C40 Recharge has a 78-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack with 75 kWh of usable capability. That permits for 226 miles of vary with effectivity scores of 87 MPGe mixed (97 MPGe metropolis, 80 MPGe freeway). That’s a bit higher than the XC40 Recharge, which is rated at 223 miles of vary and 85 MPGe mixed (92 MPGe metropolis, 79 MPGe freeway).
Nonetheless, regardless of being considerably sportier, the dual-motor Polestar 2 is rated at 249 miles of vary and 89 MPGe mixed (94 MPGe metropolis, 84 MPGe freeway). An out there single-motor model of the Polestar 2 sacrifices all-wheel drive and a few energy, however pushes vary to 270 miles (a single-motor C40 has been introduced for Europe however not america). It’s additionally price noting that the bottom Tesla Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary is rated at 318 miles, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6 will all prime 300 miles in sure configurations.
The C40 Recharge can, err, recharge at 11 kilowatts when plugged right into a 240-volt Stage 2 AC charging station, permitting for a full cost in eight hours, in accordance with Volvo. The C40’s 150-kW peak charge for DC quick charging is aggressive with different EVs, however the quoted 40 minutes for a zero to 80% cost is much less spectacular.
The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) gave the C40 Recharge its highest “Top Safety Pick+” award, however the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) hasn’t rated the electrical Volvo but.
Volvo provides a four-year, 50,000-mile fundamental guarantee, a four-year, 50,000-mile powertrain guarantee, and an eight-year, 100,000-mile battery guarantee. That’s corresponding to what most different EVs provide, though Tesla has an eight-year, 120,000-mile battery guarantee for some fashions.
How DT would configure this automotive
Volvo makes shopping for a C40 Recharge easy. It is available in one all-inclusive trim degree, so the one factor clients have to decide on is the colour. We had been fairly keen about our check automotive’s Fjord Blue, however Volvo additionally provides Black Stone, Fusion Pink, Thunder Grey, Silver Daybreak, Crystal White, and Sage Inexperienced.
Our take
The C40 Recharge is a pleasant automotive, nevertheless it must be greater than that to actually make an affect. It might be Volvo’s first mass-produced automotive with out a gasoline engine, nevertheless it’s nonetheless primarily based on an present mannequin — the XC40 Recharge.
The XC40 Recharge provides extra inside house, comparable vary and efficiency capabilities, and a design that’s additionally distinctive. The C40 Recharge does get sustainably sourced inside supplies and extra commonplace tools, together with the Harman Kardon audio system, wi-fi telephone charging, and a warmth pump (essential for chilly climates), nevertheless it’s additionally dearer. We’d be tempted to easily add these choices to an XC40 Recharge. And don’t neglect the associated Polestar 2, which provides a sportier driving expertise.
Each Volvo EVs additionally face stiff competitors. The Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6 are all 300-mile EVs with spectacular tech and driving dynamics. Whereas the Volvo model could have extra inherent status, these EVs don’t precisely really feel low-rent, both. Strip the badges off, and we doubt most individuals may inform which of them had been from a premium model and which of them weren’t.
Volvo’s conventional rivals are additionally launching their very own small electrical SUVs. The Mercedes-Benz EQB-Class, Genesis GV60, and Audi This autumn E-Tron (which will get its personal C40-like Sportback variant) ought to give Volvo a run for its cash. Regardless of a variety deficiency, the C40 Recharge does at the very least appear to be an honest worth in comparison with the Tesla Mannequin Y, as latest worth will increase have pushed the Tesla’s base worth to over $60,000.
Because the XC40 Recharge debuted in late 2020, the EV market has expanded and grown extra aggressive. Volvo’s subsequent step wanted to be larger than a restyled model of the XC40, however that’s what we received. We eagerly await Volvo’s next-generation EVs, however for now the C40 Recharge doesn’t stand out.
Must you get one?
No. Until you’re actually smitten with its styling, there isn’t a lot to advocate the C40 Recharge over its XC40 Recharge sibling.
Editors’ Selection
