EV Review: 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge

Photo Credits: Volvo Cars Media

Volvo’s Commitment to the Future

Overview

Performance: Twin electric motors, 402 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 72 to 85 mpge

Price estimate: From $58,900

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Warranty: 4 years / 36,000 miles

Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles

Roadside Assistance: 4 years / unlimited

Corrosion Warranty: 12 years/unlimited

Battery Warranty: 8 years or 100,000 miles

2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Review

Intro

Volvo continues its march toward the future, creating the 2022 C40 Recharge, another electric vehicle that pushes the company toward its goal of going all-electric by 2030.

What is the C40 Recharge? It’s Volvo’s fully electric, compact SUV that seats five passengers and could pass for a hatchback.

The C40 is the company’s first vehicle that’s only available for purchase online. In late November 2021, the Recharge could be reserved online with a refundable $500 deposit.

Although sharing some similarities, don’t confuse the C40 with another Volvo EV, the XC40 Recharge. The latter is a longer SUV that would never be visually confused with the new C40.

Recharge is a brand name that Volvo will use for all of its chargeable vehicles with a fully electric and plug-in hybrid powertrain. Volvo says every Volvo model in the company’s lineup will eventually have a Recharge model.

Exterior Style

A raked windshield and a sloping roofline – 2.4 inches lower than the XC40 – are the most distinguishing features of the C40. You be the judge if it’s a true SUV or a hatchback.

We love the C40’s large panoramic sunroof that has a black roof, one that comes on every model, regardless of what overall paint color one selects. Another exterior distinction is the C40 has integrated the taillights into the sides of the tailgate.

The C40 front end is similar to the XC40, but the pixel LED headlights are more angular and the grille is more sleekly integrated.

Interior Space

The cabin is smartly designed and has no leather. It’s primarily composed of Microtech material that is high end and durable. The SUV also has carpets made from recycled materials.

The SUV has a standard 9-inch touchscreen that is a major upgrade over the old Sensus software. The interior has several cool things like a hanging hook for a shopping bag or purse, a place to store a pen, and a removable trash can in the console.

Seating is comfortable with the exception of the low second-row ceiling that could be an issue for anyone 6-foot or taller. The slanted roof also impacts the small cargo area (14.6 cubic feet). There’s also a frunk (front trunk) for small-item storage and a couple cubbies underneath the cargo area floor.

Charging and Range

The C40 comes equipped with impressive technology features, twin electric motors, and a milage range that Volvo says can be improved over time through over-the-air updates. It also has unlimited mobile data and a leather-free interior.

Speaking of range, right now the C40’s not that impressive when compared to the competition. The 78-kWh battery pack delivers only 225 miles of range. It can be recharged to 80 percent of capacity in 40 minutes with the use of a DC fast-charging station, and 7½ hours when charged at home.

Performance

There’s no Tesla-like acceleration in either electric SUVs, but they do possess good performance. The standard all-wheel drive C40 has twin electric motors, one each at the front and rear axle, and generates 402 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque. It goes roughly 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds with a top speed of 112 mph.

A heavier SUV, the XC40 has a big advantage when it comes to towing. The C40 maxes out at 2,000 pounds, while the larger XC40 can haul 3,307 pounds.

Driving capability is nearly identical. The C40 provides composed handling in all driving situations and its compact nature makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. What’s not so good is the sloping roof makes for poor rear visibility.

Driving Assistance and Other Features

Standard driver assistance features include automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. It’s also equipped with regenerative braking and delivers true one-pedal capability.

The C40 is supported by Google technology. A new Android-based infotainment system will use Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play store. Like the XC40, the newer EV will get better as time passes, benefitting from the regular software and operating system updates.

Conclusion

Continuing its commitment to the future, Volvo introduces the 2022 C40 Recharge, a second electric SUV that incorporates some smart ideas that should make it competitive in its class.

–  J.W.

User Video Review: 2022 Volvo C40-Recharge