With plans to go all-electric by 2030, Volvo (like many other automakers) is expanding its lineup of electric vehicles. The company kicked things off with the XC40 Recharge a few years back, but now the fully-electric SUV is getting the crossover treatment. Meet the Volvo C40 Recharge, a sleeker looking version of its XC40 Recharge counterpart. But don’t let the fact that it’s Volvo’s smallest EV fool you — this thing can move. We put the 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Twin Ultimate to the test for a week and were pleasantly surprised by how it holds its own in an increasingly saturated segment.
Price and value
While the 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge only comes in the Ultimate trim, Volvo added an entry-level Core and mid-level Plus trim for 2023. The MSRP ranges from $56,395-$61,195. Each model comes standard with all-wheel drive and two electric motors that deliver up to 402 horsepower. Some of the main differences in trim levels are noted below.
- Core: $56,395
Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play Store
Blind spot information system and cross traffic alert
Laminated panoramic roof with protective UV coating
- Plus: $57,945
360-degree camera
Fog lights
Rear park assist camera
- Ultimate: $61,195
Harman Kardon premium audio
Adaptive cruise control
Heated rear seats and heated steering wheel
Performance
The C40 Recharge has no start/stop button. All you have to do is hop inside with the key fob, put it into gear and you’re ready to roll. Though we never got a chance to test out the off-road mode, it was still a lot of fun driving around this zippy little EV.
Engine
The 2022 C40 Recharge has twin electric motors that deliver 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. We put the Ultimate to the test up one of the steepest hills in town and found that it easily slingshotted itself to the top.
Battery range
With a 226-mile driving range on a full charge, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates the mpg equivalent to be 94 for the city, 80 for the highway and 87 combined. However, this is where cold weather was a major factor. EV battery ranges are notoriously shorter in freezing conditions and we found that the Ultimate’s 40% charge dropped to 22% after about 15 miles. That’s something to keep in mind for all potential EV buyers who’ll be driving in the cold.
Drivetrain
Despite the less-than-stellar range in lower temperatures, the automatic all-wheel drive 2022 C40 Recharge handled icy, slippery conditions with no trouble. It’s not a bad car for winter driving — provided you keep it charged.
Acceleration and handling
The C40 Recharge handled nicely, but acceleration is where it really has some bragging rights. Though Volvo’s website puts its 0 to 60 mph acceleration at 4.5 seconds, Car and Driver clocked the Ultimate trim at 4.3 seconds, which is faster than some of the pricier competition.
Braking
If your brain can get used to the change, one-pedal driving is an option on the C40 Recharge. That means this EV accelerates and decelerates at the push (or lack thereof) of just one pedal. Take your foot off the throttle completely and it halts to a stop — but Volvo emphasizes that you should still use the brake pedal in an emergency.
A benefit to the one-pedal driving option is that it helps you maximize your electric range. The EV recovers kinetic energy during braking, which recharges the battery. Volvo estimates that this can boost your range by 5–10%, depending on traffic, weather and other conditions.
Interior comfort and convenience
The inside will feel familiar to anyone who’s ridden in the XC40 Recharge, but with a few key differences. First, the C40 Recharge is the first completely leather-free interior in the Volvo lineup. There are also a few stylistic differences, which include topography inspired translucent backlit decor that gives the cabin a soft, soothing glow. The Fjord Blue, partially-recycled carpets may draw mixed opinions. We loved how it looked in our Ultimate tester, but others may find it a bit bold.
Seats
The front gets an A for comfort thanks to the heated seats and ample leg and headroom, which made for an enjoyable ride. The second row is comfortable, but the sloped, coupe-like design in the back cuts into the headroom. Despite the smaller area, rear seat passengers did appreciate the heated seating in our Ultimate model.
Climate control
Our C40 Recharge Ultimate came with two-zone automatic climate control, which was easy to control via the physical buttons in the center console or the center display. Volvo thoughtfully made the display's climate control buttons easy to access, so you don't have to worry about clicking through several settings to select your ideal temperature. As for the back, the rear tunnel console also has physical buttons to regulate heating in the second row seats.
Cargo space and cabin storage
You don’t need to worry about where to stow all those personal items. The C40 Recharge has plenty of storage space throughout the cabin, especially in the doors. Cargo space is 15 cubic feet with the rear seats up, and that number increases to 49 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat to the floor. If you need just a little extra space to house your charging cables and extra washer fluid, Volvo also included a small storage compartment in the frunk.
Infotainment system
This is an area where Volvo clearly wanted to keep things simple. The infotainment system features a 9-inch center display touch screen in portrait format with a straightforward layout. Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play are all built in, so you can get hands-free access to virtually any app or feature you need with a simple “Hey, Google.” The 12-inch digital instrument panel is also easy to manage, with just a few buttons on the steering wheel. A high performance audio system is standard, but the fully-loaded Ultimate model comes with a 13-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system.
Exterior appearance and functionality
Visual appeal is a significant selling point for the Volvo C40 Recharge Ultimate, which distinguishes itself from other EVs thanks to its sleek, sporty styling and coupe-like profile. The unique Fjord Blue paint on our tester was also pleasantly eye-catching.
Wheels
A quick glance at the Ultimate’s 5-spoke, black diamond cut 20-inch wheels will make you think it has blade-like spokes. But move in closer and you’ll see blacked out portions of the wheel that prove most of it is covered. This feature makes things more aerodynamic to increase your range.
Lights and turn signals
The Thor’s hammer LED front headlights are a nice nod to the God of Thunder — and a pretty good representation of how you’ll feel when you put this thing’s torque to the test. The vertically designed LED rear lights also accentuate the sloping roofline from the back.
Front and rear windshield
The front windshield offers plenty of visibility — but the same can’t be said for the rear. The sloping roofline and spoiler inhibit the view out the back. The lack of rear windshield wipers almost seems to suggest that Volvo knows they wouldn’t help much even if you had them. The good news is that the laminated, tinted glass roof will let in plenty of light (sans the glare), so you won’t feel like you’re driving around in a cave.
Cameras and side mirrors
Given its limited rear view, the 360-degree camera angles definitely came in handy. The side mirrors also come with blind spot monitoring to maximize awareness of your surroundings.
Safety
If there’s one thing Volvos are known for, it’s safety. The 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge definitely follows suit in this regard.
Features
The Ultimate trim that we drove came equipped with all the standard safety features you might want, plus a few extras. These included:
- Automated emergency braking
- Lane-keeping assist
- Lane-departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control with lane-centering
- Blind spot monitoring
- Cross-traffic alert
- Forward collision avoidance
- Rear parking sensors
- 360-degree camera views
- Whiplash injury protection system
Awards and ratings
Speaking of safety, thanks to its crash test scores and headlight illumination, the C40 Recharge was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Volvo’s first electric-only vehicle also earned Editor’s Pick at the 2022 Newsweek Autos Awards. It had not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as of this writing.
Final impression
At a time when EVs are becoming increasingly popular, automakers have to work harder to make their models stand out from the crowd. The Volvo C40 Recharge certainly offers something unique in terms of style — with impressive power to boot. Combine that with interior comfort and Volvo’s signature commitment to safety, and there are plenty of reasons to give the C40 Recharge some serious consideration.
FAQs
What’s the difference between the Volvo C40 Recharge and the Volvo XC40 Recharge?
It’s easy to confuse the Volvo C40 Recharge and the Volvo XC40 Recharge because they have a lot in common. They’re similar in terms of power, acceleration and electric range (though the C40 Recharge has a slight edge in the latter two). The biggest difference is appearance. The XC40 Recharge is slightly bigger and boxier while the C40 is more of an SUV crossover, with a sloped roofline and a small spoiler on the back. The coupe-like design makes the C40 look a bit sportier, but at the cost of rear visibility, headroom and storage in the back. However, the C40 Recharge does offer about 3 inches more headroom up front than the XC40 Recharge.
What’s the price difference between the XC40 Recharge and the C40 Recharge?
In terms of price, the XC40 Recharge starts at $53,550 while the C40 Recharge starts at $56,395. You pay slightly extra for the 100% leather-free interior and sleek design of the C40.
How long does it take to charge?
If you have access to a fast charging station, you can expect the battery to go from 10% to 80% in about 37 minutes. Charging at home typically takes seven to eight hours.
What’s the range for the 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge?
Volvo puts the 2022 C40 Recharge’s pure electric range at 226 miles but notes that your mpg equivalent may vary slightly, depending on driving conditions, vehicle maintenance and other factors.
Find a Volvo C40 Recharge on KSL Cars and experience this EV yourself.
The makes and models mentioned in this article are not placed in any particular order, nor intended to be viewed as a ranked list. KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.
