Road Test: 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Twin AWD Ultimate

The First Volvo Compact SUV Coupe EV

The 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge was the first electric-only and the smallest SUV from Volvo, falling in-line with the EX90 and XC40 Recharge. Slotting just below the C40 Recharge will be the just announced EX30, compact SUV EV that arrives sometime in 2025. Having four all-electric SUVs will give loyal Volvo owners a wide choice of size, performance and price, but also be enticing for those first-timers looking to have a Volvo in their garage.

Power and Range

The 2023 C40 Recharge Twin AWD has twin 150 kW electric motors producing a total of 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. The shift-by-wire single speed transmission drives all four wheels 0-60 miles per hour in about 4.3 seconds. This felt quick and made freeway merging a breeze.

The EPA rates the C40 Recharge Twin AWD at 226 all-electric miles (AER) with an efficiency of 39 kWh per 100 miles. We took delivery with 220 AER and after 211 miles of combination highway and freeway driving we had 20 miles left on the dash range read-out. In the 310 total miles we drove through Southern California we averaged 30.6 kWh per 100 miles. Another way to look at the efficiency for this car is 3.6 miles per kWh of battery. Both measurements are best used to compare EVs as the actual miles you will get from a kWh of battery varies greatly based on the speed you’re traveling, the temperature and the style of driving.

Battery and Charging

The 78 kWh, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery is charged through an 11.0 kW onboard charger. These are the estimated times for the three charging speeds.

120V (Level 1) 22 hours (0-100%)
240V (Level 2) 8 hours (0-100%)
DC Fast Charging 37 minutes at 150 kW (10-80%)

Cold weather can affect the charging time and driving range. The C40 Recharge is available with a heat pump that warms the interior without drawing on the battery as well as a battery conditioner that warms the battery to a temperature that will take a faster and higher charge.

New owners of a 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge receive 250 kWh of complimentary DC fast charging with the Electrify America network.

Out on the Road

When slowing, regenerative braking converts kinetic energy into electric energy and stores it in the battery. The level of regeneration can be set on the touchscreen as is the One Pedal Driving. This combination resulted in strong recharging and a fun way to drive with limited touching of the brake pedal.

Having 300 miles behind the wheel allowed us to settle in and get a true feel for the C40 Recharge. There is no start button, as it turns itself on when entering the cockpit with the key. All you do is press the brake pedal, shift into the desired gear, and off you go. The seats are comfortable for long trips and hold the driver tight when cornering. The electronic power steering is agile and has enough heft to provide for engaging handling of the 4,780-pound SUV.

With effortless, smooth and even power, augmented by quick throttle response, the C40 was easy to drive, aided by a 52/48-percent front/rear weight distribution. The suspension had MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear, with both having stabilizer bars. The low center of gravity with the batteries placed below the floor, helped the C40 Recharge handle flat around corners. The overall ride was comfortable, except on uneven surfaces where there was a choppy feel at times.

The dual electric motors, one on each axle, drive all four wheels that are shod with235/45 Pirelli Scorpion Zero all-season tires mounted on 20-inch V-spoke black diamond-cut alloy wheels. We didn’t push the tires too hard on tight corners, but their freeway ride was smooth, albeit a bit noisy. Stopping was good with the four-wheel discs and anti-lock braking.

Exterior: Familiar Volvo Feel

The C40 Recharge has a five-door fastback design, sometimes called a SUV coupe. The difference between the C40 Recharge and the XC40 Recharge is the roof on the former rakes towards the rear hatch. There is a bit less head room when entering the rear seats and a bit less cargo space in the far back. Both are negligible between the two models, so go with the one that catches your eye.

The clean design is void of cladding, with the only bright-work to be found on the “C40” and “VOLVO” badging. There are no design gimmicks and nothing radical going on, which is true Volvo DNA. It is tasteful and practical with eight exterior colors of Black Stone, Onyx Black, Fusion Red, Thunder Grey, Silver Dawn, Sage Green, Crystal White and Fjord Blue Metallic, which was the color C40 Recharge we drove.

The active bending pixel LED head lights have high beam assist, with LED lighting design continuing to the sidelights, turn indicators, and the brake lights. The unique shape makes an interesting lighting signature, wrapping from the power lift gate to the side panel and up onto the C pillar. The lift gate has a small spoiler with two air flow vents coming off the roof that disperse water from the rear window, replacing a wiper.

Interior: Scandinavian Clean

The 100% leather-free interior has no animal-derived products in any of the materials or surfaces. The Microtech synthetic upholstery, which is completely recyclable, is lighter, more durable and easier to clean than leather. The front passengers get power adjustments, including lumbar and heated seats. The rear outbound passengers also get heat. The rear seat headrests are power folding as is the rear seat.

Access to the front seats was good, while the tallest need to duck just a bit getting into the rear seats due to the fastback roof design. The rear seat comfortably accommodates two adults that sit a bit higher than the front occupants to accommodate the batteries placed under the seat.

Behind the rear 60/40 folding seat, the 14.6 cubic feet of cargo space increases to 48.7 cubic feet when the seats are folded-down. Without an engine up front there is a front trunk, or frunk, for stashing small items, such as the charging cable.

The 12.3-inch digital driver display can be configured through buttons on the steering wheel or in the settings through the touchscreen. The wide center console, with a small underside storage cubby, intersects the dash at the 9-inch color touchscreen. This screen is where the heart of the C40 recharge lives: the Google Android Automotive operating system with navigation, apps and Google Assistant. Please note this is not Android Auto. The driver can manage operations by using the touchscreen or through voice commands, which is a good thing as except for the few controls on the steering wheel, there are no buttons or knobs on the dash.

The contemporary Scandinavian design theme thrives in the cockpit. The C40 Recharge Ultimate comes with the 13-speaker, 12-channel, 600-watt Harmon Kardon premium sound system with Spotify, YouTube Music, Google Play and Apple Music. Apple CarPlay isn’t recognized. USB-C ports (two front and rear), Bluetooth and SiriusXM are included, but AM radio is not available. Calling out everything to the Google assistant takes some practice, but worked well.

Convenience features include a 360-degree camera, panoramic fixed glass roof, 2-zone automatic climate control with a cabin filtration system, rain sensing windshield wipers, alarm, keyless entry, digital key, Homelink, inductive phone charging, high-pressure headlight washers, heated steering wheel, adjustable interior illumination and a panoramic glass roof.

Safety

The 2023 C40 Recharge has not been safety rated by the NHTSA, National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, but has received a Top Safety Pick+ safety rating from the IIHS, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Volvo has built its reputation on safety so standard and available advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), some of which come in packages, include, Pilot Assist, front, side, curtain and knee airbags, ABS braking, traction control, front and rear parking assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning with steering wheel assist, cross traffic alert, and low and high speed collision mitigation with automatic braking.

Pricing

The 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge comes in three trims, with these prices including the mandatory $1,095 destination charge. Speak with your dealer about any available federal or state tax credits that could reduce the price you pay, and check with your state about the C40 Recharge qualifying to use the HOV lane.

Core $56,395
Plus $57,945
Ultimate $61,195

Warranty

Basic – Four years/50,000 miles
Battery – Eight years/100,000 miles
Roadside Assistance – Five years/Unlimited miles
Corrosion Protection – 12 years/Unlimited miles
Scheduled Maintenance – Five years/62,000 miles

Observations: 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Twin AWD Ultimate

Volvo has made a commitment by 2030 to only sell electric vehicles, and 10 years later to be a carbon neutral company. With three EVs currently on sale in America—the EX90, XC40 and C40, in 2025 joined by the EX30—Volvo is well on the way to achieving its environmental goals.

Shoppers will consider the Volvo C40 Recharge with the Kia EV6 GT, Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Kona EV, Chevrolet Bolt EUV, and the Tesla Model 3. All are worthy competitors, but also have a longer driving range. The 226 miles of all-electric driving range for the C40 Recharge will work perfectly well for commuters, especially those who charge at home every night, and those taking relatively close-to-home trips. Venturing out further, like Clean Fleet Report did recently on a 1,796-mile road trip, would be a challenge.

If the C40 Recharge, built in Ghent, Belgium, is any indication of what is to come, Volvo is off to a solid start with its plans to never put another drop of gasoline in any of its models beginning in 2030.

Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all news stories and vehicle reviews.

Story and photos by John Faulkner.

The Competition:

Road Test: Kia EV6 GT

Road Test: Genesis G60 EV

Road Test: Kia Niro EV

Road Test: Kona EV

Road Test: Chevrolet Bolt EUV

Flash Drive: Tesla Model 3

Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.

Road Test: 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Twin AWD Ultimate