Volvo C40 Recharge 2022 Review

The Volvo C40 Recharge is a new fully electric vehicle that aims to bring both tailpipe emissions-free power and coupe-like styling to the compact luxury crossover SUV class. It also provides a glimpse into the future of Volvo via its battery technology and an online-only buying process that the company says will soon become the norm across its EV lineup.

Every C40 Recharge will be equipped with impressive technology features. There are twin electric motors, one each at the front and rear, while range can be improved over time through over-the-air updates. It also has unlimited mobile data and a leather-free interior.

The purchasing process for the C40 Recharge is all online. Volvo says it's simplified its website to make finding preconfigured or custom-order EVs easier. The pricing is also transparent and no-haggle. We expect deliveries for the C40 Recharge to start at the end of 2021. 

Power for the C40 Recharge comes from a 78-kWh battery pack. At maximum capacity it provides the equivalent of about 210 miles of EV range, though that figure has not yet been certified by the EPA. Volvo says it plans to issue remote software updates over the course of ownership to improve range capacity as well. The battery can be replenished to 80% of its capacity in just 40 minutes with the use of a DC fast-charging station. As an added bonus, Volvo is providing C40 Recharge owners with a complimentary 250 kWh of electricity at Electrify America's DC charging stations.

This dual-motor 408-horsepower powertrain is also equipped in the XC40 Recharge as well as the Polestar 2. (Polestar is Volvo's new offshoot brand.) We've found both of these vehicles lively and powerful on the road. With the weight of the floor-mounted battery pack lowering their center of gravity, the XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2 feel balanced and sporty. In our testing, the Polestar 2 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, and the XC40 Recharge is estimated to hit 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. We expect more of the same with the C40.

Volvo says the C40 Recharge will be available with a range of colors and styles inside the cabin, though for some that might not be the main draw. The C40 Recharge will also be 100% free of leather throughout its interior, and the same will apply to all future EV models, the company said. Compared to the XC40 Recharge, the C40 gets new, topography-inspired trim pieces (made from recycled plastic), a standard panoramic glass sunroof and optional blue carpet.

Because the C40 Recharge is a crossover "coupe" with a sloping roofline, it loses some rear headspace compared with the more conventional XC40 Recharge. However, due to some clever packaging — including mounting the hatch struts outside the bodywork and covering them with something resembling a spoiler — rear headroom isn't as dire as in some other coupe-like SUVs. Adults 6 feet or shorter shouldn't have a problem fitting in the back.

Technology is front and center in the C40 Recharge — literally. Like the XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2, the C40 Recharge features a large 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen powered by Google's Android operating system. Besides coming with Google Maps, Google Assistant voice controls and Google Play Store functionality, the C40 will also have an unlimited data plan attached.

No more fussing around — Volvo is clearly committed to a fully EV future. The C40 Recharge is the next step toward a lineup that Volvo says will be electric-only by 2030. Based on similar technology we've sampled in the XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2, we're inclined to believe the C40 Recharge will bring appealing power and style to the growing electric luxury SUV class. Check back to see whether that holds true once we've climbed behind the wheel.