We test the Volvo C40 Recharge: 5 key points of the electric SUV coupé

To all intents and purposes, the Volvo C40 Recharge is the “Coupé” version of the XC40 Recharge. What does this mean? Apart from the aesthetic differences, their consequences for the cabin and the price, everything we said in the road test of the XC40 Recharge applies to the C40 Recharge in terms of driving feel, dynamic behaviour, range and consumption.

We had the chance to get behind the wheel of the new C40 Recharge during a press presentation day in Madrid, which helped us “refresh” our impressions before tackling a more in-depth test of the Swedish electric SUV. We would have liked to drive the new entry-level variant of the range, the so-called Single, with a single motor and 231 CV. But that was not possible, so we did the test route again in the Twin, with two motors and all-wheel drive.

Even so, let us go over the main points you should bear in mind if you are considering the electric SUV from Volvo… or a car of this kind. Remember that the C40 Recharge is the first Volvo model to launch on the market as a pure electric car, since the XC40 coexists with versions with combustion engines and Mild Hybrid technology, as well as plug-in hybrid variants.

Range and prices of the Volvo C40 vs XC40

With the arrival of the single-motor variants, the Volvo C40 and XC40 are offered in Single versions, with a single electric motor on the front axle producing 231 CV and a maximum torque of 330 Nm; and the Twin versions, with a motor on each axle, all-wheel drive, a system output of 300 kW (408 CV) and 660 Nm of maximum torque. There are three trim levels, Core, Plus and Ultimate, although the Twin is only offered with the top two. The list prices of the Volvo C40 are as follows:

• C40 Recharge Single Core: €48,885
• C40 Recharge Single Plus: €51,260
• C40 Recharge Single Ultimate: €54,690
• C40 Recharge Twin Plus: €57,345
• C40 Recharge Twin Ultimate: €60,770

Very important: these prices include maintenance for 3 years or 100,000 km, which costs €620, as well as comprehensive insurance for 3 years with a flexible excess (€300 at any workshop, €150 at an official workshop), which costs €1,740 for the Single versions and €1,935 for the Twin C40s. The customer may choose not to take out these two services, deducting the indicated amounts from the list price. But I think they are worth it, as they are competitive.

In any case, with the same range, equipment and conditions for the XC40, the Volvo price list tells us that opting for the Coupé style of the C40 version carries a surcharge of between €1,400 and €1,800, depending on the version, a manageable difference. In the case of the Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron, for example, the difference is somewhat greater, around €2,100, although the Q4 Sportback offers slightly more equipment than its “sibling”.

Equipment of the Volvo C40: which to choose?

While we are at it, let us tell you that the equipment of the Volvo C40 is very complete from the Core versions onwards, with standard features such as a driver’s knee airbag, rear camera, cruise control, parking sensors, City Safety anti-collision system with emergency braking, 4 USB ports, wireless charger, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 9″ multimedia touchscreen, 19″ wheels, full LED headlights, contrast-colour roof, dual-zone climate control or rain and light sensors.

If the budget allows, the Plus trim is not a bad idea. It costs around €2,500 more, but you get the alarm, keyless entry and boot opening with a foot movement under the bumper, Pilot Assist (adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist), blind-spot traffic assist and rear collision assist with automatic braking, among other features.

Above the Plus trim, the Ultimate adds another €3,300. Here the equipment reaches luxury levels, with heated and electric front seats, heat pump, 360-degree camera, LED fog lights with cornering function, heated steering wheel and a 600 W Jarman Kardon audio system with 14 speakers.

Personally, I would stick with the Core or Plus trims, and would consider some of the options. For example, the Climate Pack, for €779, with heated seats and steering wheel plus heat pump. Other interesting options are the Bicycle Pack, for €390, which includes roof bars and an aluminium bike carrier. Fitting a retractable towbar costs €750, and All Season tyres add €190.

Battery, charging and range of the Volvo C40

The Volvo C40 has a battery of 69 kW (67 kW usable) in the Single versions, which allows a homologated range of 437 km; in the Twin C40s with two motors the battery is 78 kW (75 kW usable), and the range reaches 449 km. In both cases, AC charging at 11 kW is standard, allowing a full charge in 7 to 8 hours. The maximum DC charging power is 150 kW, which means the charging time to go from 10 to 80% capacity is around 30 minutes for the C40 Single, and 10 minutes more for the Twin.

An interesting option, not often found in other electric cars, is the ability to limit the maximum battery charge percentage or the current intensity, as well as the conventional functions of remotely scheduling charging via the Volvo app. As an option, the brand offers the Wall Box Commander 2 with installation included by Iberdrola, priced at €1,880.

Differences between the Volvo C40 and the XC40

Although in principle there are not many, the fact is that the five centimetres less height, the sloping roofline, the distinctive shape of the rear pillar and the specific design of the light clusters mean that, especially if you see one next to the other, the C40 looks much more distinct from the XC40 than you might think.

The good news, especially for those attracted to this body style, is that, as we have said, it does not entail a large additional outlay, nor does it mean giving up a high level of practicality. The drag coefficient is slightly better on the C40, at 0.32 versus 0.33 on the XC40, which also has a slightly larger frontal area; hence the C40 homologates slightly lower consumption and a few extra kilometres of range.

Access to the rear seats is better in the XC40, and so is the headroom; but the C40 does not lack many centimetres, unless the rear passengers are tall enough to consider playing basketball. Nor is the C40 penalised in boot capacity: just six litres less, with a volume of 413 litres, which is complemented by a further 31 litres under the front bonnet. This space is ideal, for example, for storing the two charging cables that Volvo supplies as standard, the Schuko-Mennekes and the Mennekes-Mennekes.

Is the Single version enough, or is the Twin with two motors better?

The €6,000 difference for equal equipment does not seem much when we consider that the Twin version includes all-wheel drive, twice the torque, over 400 CV and incredible performance: 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, with the top speed limited to 180 km/h. But the Single version seems to me more balanced, both in the C40 and in the XC40; moreover, it is offered with the basic trim, which is not available with the Twin versions.

I dare say, even before driving it, that the C40 Recharge Single, with its 231 CV motor, will be more than enough. Its performance figures already give us a clue: in this case the top speed is limited to 160 km/h, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, the time a good GTI would record. In both cases the braking system is identical, as is the choice of standard tyres, in size 235/50-19 for the front axle and 255/45-19 for the rear.

Behind the wheel of the Volvo C40 Recharge Twin

Quality, lots of comfort and ease of driving. These are the aspects that stand out most from the first kilometres behind the wheel of the C40 Recharge as you get used to its controls… and to its approach of driving in which you only need to focus on the steering wheel and the accelerator. As we noted in the XC40 test, the driving position is perfect and the seats are very comfortable. And here there are no driving mode programmes to choose from, nor paddles to play with different levels of energy recuperation.

At most, the driver can choose between a firmer steering assistance mode, and whether or not to activate the “One Pedal Drive” driving function, with which deceleration can be controlled from the accelerator pedal depending on how firmly you lift off, to the point of bringing the vehicle to a complete stop without touching the brakes. You get used to it quickly, and it is very useful in town, while on the motorway you can switch it off to avoid unwanted decelerations every time you ease off the accelerator slightly.

There is also an off-road mode, which modifies the traction control settings and also activates hill descent control. Even so, the C40 Recharge is not a car with approach angles or suspension travel that would allow for much fun off the tarmac.

Image gallery of the Volvo C40 Recharge

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverVolvo XC4011 versions · from 42,800 €