2024 Volvo C40 Recharge Test Drive Review: An EV For Volvo Fans Only

The Volvo C40 Recharge is a two-row electrical crossover that made its debut for the 2022 mannequin 12 months. It sits simply above the XC40 Recharge and beneath the brand new EX90, which loses the Recharge moniker however continues to be electrical. There’s additionally the EX30, which has been considerably delayed and would be the smallest of the model’s EVs when it does lastly make it to the US.

The massive information for the C40 lineup this 12 months is the addition of a single motor rear-wheel drive setup out there throughout the three-trim vary. This presents elevated vary for individuals who ceaselessly head out on longer drives, however that comes with an enormous dip in horsepower. We had the chance to take a look at this new model of the C40 Recharge to see if it is value your hard-earned money.

Exterior: It Seems Like A Volvo

The C40 Recharge appears to be like rather a lot like different EVs within the Volvo lineup – sufficient in order that it is easy to get them confused with out trying out the badge on the again. What differentiates all of them is measurement and efficiency, even if you cannot inform from the skin.

Exterior styling right here is reserved and minimalist. There’s nothing flashy and that is how we like our Volvos; if you would like flashy, then go purchase a Cadillac. The C40 Recharge is inconspicuous luxurious with clear traces and an unfussy exterior. The extra sloped roof of the C40 offers it a considerably sportier look, and we love the wheels, that are the one eye-catching space of the design.

Inside: Sustainable Supplies With Visible Enchantment

The notion of constructing sustainable vehicles is one thing that may be a level of satisfaction for Volvo. It does not use leather-based anymore, however as an alternative options Nordico artificial leather-based constituted of leftover cork that will in any other case be a waste product of the wine business. Our car had stunning wool mix surfaces in a mushy grey in various textures between the doorways and the seats. You will not miss the dearth of leather-based.

There’s additionally a fantastic use of lighting. Door panels that seem to have a flippantly patterned plastic through the day are subtly lit through the night to offer a heat glow. It is a beautiful inside that, like the outside, is lush and comfy with out being brash. Infotainment comes within the type of a 9-inch touchscreen. It is a responsive sytem with Google Assistant, which makes issuing voice instructions fast and simple.

Seating: Snug With Good Rear Legroom

The entrance seats of the C40 Recharge have loads of room for adults to get comfy. There’s ample headroom and legroom with good adjustability, so it is easy to get a transparent view of the highway. There’s minimal bolstering, which makes these seats well-suited to bigger adults. They provide a great stability of assist and luxury.

The rear seats have room for 3, technically, however it’s kind of slim for that to be comfy. Two adults, nevertheless, could have loads of room. There’s good headroom and legroom for all however the tallest passengers, even with the entrance seats pushed again. The middle armrest additionally has a few cupholders, which is a pleasant contact.

Cargo: Sufficient Room For Mild Obligation

This isn’t a big SUV, so if getting an electrical car with plenty of cargo room is your precedence, then take a look at our expertise with the EX90. It has three rows and area to handle a household’s wants. The C40 Recharge has sufficient room for groceries and carry-on baggage, however a household of 4 goes to seek out it a problem to load every week’s value of bags into the again. It is the trade-off to having a smaller, extra reasonably priced EV.

Efficiency: Single Motor or Twin Motor With Huge Energy Variations

New this 12 months is a single motor rear-wheel drive model of the C40 Recharge. It is a extra reasonably priced choice with extra vary, but it surely comes with far much less energy as properly. That is what we drove for the week, and it is surprisingly fast. The factor with an EV is that torque does not ramp up prefer it does in a fuel car. It is there the minute you hit the accelerator. Efficiency-minded drivers won’t be disillusioned, but when that is your precedence, then getting one of many twin motor trims is a greater name.

Vary and Charging: Sufficient To Get You Via The Day

The perpetual fear with electrical autos is that you simply will not have sufficient vary to get wherever you’ll want to go and that you simply will not be capable to discover a handy charger alongside the way in which. Whereas that will have been true at one time, it is actually not the case at present. Most electrical autos have driving ranges that may simply deal with day by day duties in order that they solely should be charged in a single day at dwelling. When you do go for a highway journey, entry to public chargers is getting simpler daily.

The only motor C40 Recharge has an 82-kW battery with a spread of as much as 297 miles per cost whereas the twin motor has a 78-kWh battery offering 257 miles of vary. Charging time from 10 to 80 % at a DC quick charger is 28 minutes and 34 minutes, respectively. These are sturdy numbers. The downside is that different automakers do higher with longer ranges and sooner charging, which is a weak level of the C40 Recharge.

Drive Impressions: EV Efficiency With Good Dealing with

The moment torque supplied by each electrical car makes all of them pretty sturdy on the efficiency entrance. Sure, there are various 0-60 mph occasions, however how usually do you time your acceleration to the second? For many of us, the reply isn’t. We do not time it a lot as we sense it in that feeling of being pressed again in your seat and in not worrying about freeway merges.

The C40 Recharge has greater than sufficient energy to fulfill on these fronts. Driving by means of heavy visitors throughout rush hour, there was loads of energy to vary lanes and zip round slower autos. It additionally handles properly, with exact, managed steering. It isn’t sporty, however it’s responsive, and we loved driving this little EV.

The trip was principally quiet with out an excessive amount of highway or wind noise, which is one thing you usually discover extra in an EV since there isn’t any engine noise for competitors. We had a wet trek to the airport in our C40 Recharge and the noise was stored to a minimal, so dialog was nonetheless simple. Solely in excessive winds did we start to really discover the noise. It was additionally fairly comfy. The seats look relatively flat up entrance, however they’re surprisingly supportive for even longer drives. That is not fairly as true of the rear seats, however when you’re placing youngsters in again, they will be high-quality and even teenagers and adults will do properly on all however the longest of drives.

Pricing And Verdict

The Volvo C40 Recharge is accessible in three trims with a single motor or twin motor setup out there on each trim. This makes it a bit simpler to seek out one which’s inside your finances, however even in its least costly kind, it is over $50,000. There are extra reasonably priced choices, just like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Chevrolet Equinox EV, and Kia Niro EV, however all have much less spectacular interiors than what you will discover within the C40 Recharge.

*Not together with $1,295 vacation spot payment

Total, we just like the C40 Recharge for these a crossover EV. It does that job superbly with a roomy and engaging inside, clean trip, and responsive engine. It additionally presents a great driving vary and strong charging occasions. The drawbacks are that its vary and charging occasions aren’t nearly as good because the competitors, neither is its value. It’s, nevertheless, a strong choice for Volvo followers who need to make the transfer to an electrical car or those that need a extra premium EV expertise.