TESTED: Volvo’s 2022 Electric C40 Recharge Twin Ultimate Is A Great-Looking Though Flawed Vehicle

Volvo’s two electric cousins, the XC60 Recharge and the all-new for 2022 C40 Recharge, are both charming, well-designed, good-looking machines. We test-drove both for a week each, one in August and one in December.

Here is a link to the review of the 2022 XC60 Recharge T8.

The C40 Recharge is, on the surface, the ultimate in modern EV technology with its no-key ignition, its firm-but-not-plush seats, its elegant interior, its utter quiet at speed and of course, its Volvo-nerdy, signature looks. But it’s also expensive when compared to similar vehicles, gets less range than it should and its visibility in the rear from the driver’s point of view is feeble, a surprising find as one of Volvo’s big selling points is its many safety features.

Overview

Both the XC40 recharge and the C40 recharged share DNA, meaning both have a 75-kWh battery pack and single-speed automatic transmissions. The C40, however, has a slightly less cargo capacity due to its coupe-ish flavor and the downward plunge of its roofline toward its rear. On a full charge, the C40 gets a stated 226 miles while the XC40 gets 223.

An ecology-minded vehicle inside and out

The C40 Recharge is a sure-fire winner for ecology-minded buyers with its vinyl but leather-like steering wheel and shifter. You can’t even get leather anymore in any of the company’s EVs – they substitute cow for a textile made of 100% recycled polyester on the carpet, transmission tunnel and door inserts, and backlit recycled plastic on the dashboard. The plastic’s swank is legit as they come, printed with a topographic contour map of the Abisko National Park in Sweden. The effect is a sweetly integrated yet unbusy interior that’s a pleasure to experience each time you get in the car.

The Drive

It’s a mixed bag. While accelerating straight off the line is a fast thrill, rocketing you ahead of everyone else in an instant, the car loses some of that thrill at speed and especially on twists and turns, where the body roll is considerable and the grip isn’t as tight as it might be. No one expects supercar performance from a Volvo but the C40’s feeble road manners at speed were a surprising disappointment. Any bump large or small was felt through and through, as well.

The C40’s houses twin electric motors – one in front and one in back, delivering 402-horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. 0-60 mph is accomplished in a speedy 4.7 seconds.

Range: Less than others of similar style and price

The compact SUV field is getting ever-more crowded. Even two years ago, the C40’s 226-mile range would have been considered generous, but these days, buyers expect 300-ish miles from a full charge, so the difference is considerable.

Tech: needlessly complicated but you can figure it out.

You’ve got a vibrant 9-inch tablet-style multimedia touchscreen at your disposal but it’ll take you a bit to figure it all out. The climate system takes its own sweet time both cranking up and shutting down; at first you may punch the button several times before you realize it’s pokey. One great feature is that during winters, the badge up front heats up to ensure your camera is clear, so there’s no Mommy beeping “Watch out!” when your front collects snow or ice. A Harman Kardon sound system is suitably crispy and bass-y, and there are four USB-C ports, two in front and two in back. Bravo, Volvo.

Price: Expensive, but Volvos are expensive

The 2022 Volvo C40 recharge’s MSRP is $58,750. There are few options so there is nothing to bloat the price into the stratosphere as with some vehicles. You also qualify for a federal tax credit of $7,500 and there may be some state or local incentives as well; check with your state.

Conclusion: If you love Volvos, as many do, you might be willing to overlook the C40 Recharge’s flaws and focus on its snappy good looks and pleasant though unspectacular drive.