The Volvo C40 Recharge is all-new for 2022 and one of a growing number of compact luxury crossover EVs. The C40 Recharge has perky performance and a range of about 225 miles. It’s the second all-electric model from Volvo as the automaker commits to being a fully electric car company by 2030.
Base Price: $58,750
As Tested: $60,540
Horsepower: 402
Mileage: 94 MPGe city/80 MPGe highway/87 MPGe mpg combined
The 2022 C40 Recharge is based on Volvo’s first fully electric model, the XC40 Recharge. Both share the same powertrain and Google infotainment system. Competitors include the Audi e-tron, Mercedes-Benz EQB, and Tesla Model Y.
The five-passenger C40 Recharge comes in only one trim, Twin Ultimate, with a starting price of $58,750. All-wheel drive is standard. There are only a few options, so you won’t be overwhelmed with package and accessory choices. The C40 Recharge is not yet available at Volvo dealerships – for now it can only be ordered online.
The C40 is powered by two electric motors, one in front and one in the rear, and a 78-kWh lithium-ion battery. A one-speed automatic transmission is standard. This is the same set up as in the XC40 and the Polestar 2 EV. Total output is a robust 402 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque which makes for snappy acceleration. Volvo says the C40 Recharge can go from zero to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, and power delivery is almost instantaneous at faster speeds as well. The C40 has a smooth ride and feels balanced when cornering, thanks to the low center of gravity. You can put it in one-pedal driving mode to ramp up the regenerative braking. Visibility is good to the front and sides but poor to the rear due to the small back window.
When properly equipped, the C40 Recharge can tow up to 2,000 pounds.
The C40 can go about 226 miles on a charge, which is in line with several EVs but below other luxury EVs which can go 300 miles or more. It takes about eight hours to charge using a 240-volt plug or Level 2 charger. With DC Fast Charging, the battery can go from 10% to 80% charged in only 37 minutes. If you plug into a regular 110-volt household plug, it can take two to three days to fully charge.
The cabin is pleasant and modern with a sleek design but not as upscale as you might expect in a luxury vehicle that starts at nearly 60-grand. Volvo says it’s the first EV in its line-up to feature a leather-free interior; instead materials include faux suede and recycled plastic. Seats in both rows are comfortable with decent legroom. The sloping roofline limits headroom, so taller folks may wish for more space.
Standard features include remote start, keyless entry, push-button start, surround-view camera system, dual-zone automatic climate control, cloth and synthetic suede upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats, heated rear seats, driver’s seat memory settings, heated steering wheel, 12-inch digital instrument cluster, infotainment system with nine-inch touchscreen, navigation, 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, Bluetooth, satellite radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, four USB-C ports, wireless device charging, panoramic sunroof, universal garage door opener, cabin air filtration, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing windshield wipers, automatic high beams, and adaptive fog lights.
Available features include a luggage rack and trailer hitch receiver.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, Pilot Assist (maintains speed and distance from other cars while keeping vehicle centered in a lane), rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, and front and rear parking sensors.
The infotainment system looks like a tablet with its nine-inch vertical touchscreen. It has a Google operating system which includes access to Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. Graphics look good, but the menu layout could use improvement as you often have to move through menus and submenus to find what you’re looking for. The system responds quickly to voice and touch commands.
Cargo space is below average for a luxury electric SUV. There are 17.3 cubic feet with both rows of seating in place and 48.7 cubes with the rear seats folded. The rear seats do fold completely flat so that provides some flexibility in hauling larger items. A power liftgate and hands-free liftgate are standard.
The good:
Fast acceleration
Pleasant driving dynamics
Lots of standard features and tech
Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Range is less than many rivals
Below average cargo space
Poor visibility to the rear
Cabin not very upscale for the price
Can only be ordered online
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $58,750. Metallic paint is $695. Destination charge is $1,095 bringing the grand total to $60,540.
Bottom line:
The all-new 2022 Volvo Recharge has a decent range, snappy acceleration, solid driving dynamics, and comes loaded with features and tech. However, the range is less than that of other luxury EVs and the starting price is rather steep. Still, it’s a competent offering in the growing EV SUV class.
