Overview
With its sloped roof design, the 2024 C40 Recharge is the style maven among Volvo’s fashionable SUV lineup. Underneath its chic exterior lies an identical offering to the boxier XC40 Recharge, right down to its electric powertrain and thoughtfully designed interior. Rear-wheel drive models come with an estimated range of 297 miles per charge, which puts it at an advantage over rivals such as the Audi Q4 e-tron and the Genesis GV60; opt for all-wheel drive and range drops to a still-competitive 257 miles per charge. There’s plenty of tech incorporated throughout, including a host of standard driver-assistance features and an infotainment system developed in partnership with Google.
What’s New for 2024?
The C40 Recharge gains a new entry-level Single Motor rear-wheel drive model for 2024 that also comes with a 79.0-kWh battery pack good for an estimated 297 miles of driving range. The all-wheel drive Twin Motor models remain in the lineup, but benefit from new, more efficient motors, boosting estimated range to 257 miles per charge.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We’d go with the mid-range Plus trim, as it adds plenty of equipment to justify its increase in price over the entry-level Core. Noteworthy additions include a 360-degree exterior camera system, power-folding rear headrests, a power-adjustable passenger’s seat, a 12-volt power outlet in the cargo area, and an adjustable cargo-area load floor. The choice between the rear-wheel drive Single Motor or all-wheel drive Twin Motor powertrain is up to you.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
Rear-wheel drive is standard on the Single Motor models, which are powered by a 248-hp electric motor. All-wheel drive C40 Recharge models come with two electric motors—one mounted at the front and one at the rear—which can deliver up to 402 hp. Predictably, the C40 Recharge drives much like its squareback sibling. At our test track, the all-wheel drive C40 Recharge recorded similar results to the XC40 Recharge, including an identical 4.3-second zero-to-60-mph time. That’s quicker than electric SUVs such as the Audi e-tron, which starts at a higher price point. The C40 Recharge’s ride is compliant most of the time—though it gets a case of the shivers over broken pavement—and its handling is composed but it lacks the crisp steering and eager demeanor that endears us to the more affordable Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
A 79.0-kWh battery pack is standard in Single Motor models and is said to be good for up to 297 miles of driving. Under the floor of the all-wheel drive C40 Recharge lies a battery pack with 75.0-kWh of usable energy storage, which should deliver about 257 miles of driving range per charge. Speaking of charge, all C40 Recharge models are capable of 200-kW DC fast charging, which is said to be capable of juicing the battery from 10 to 80 percent charge in just 28 mins. For those who plan to charge at home, hooking the C40 Recharge up to a 110-volt or 220-volt outlet is also possible, but charging times will be slower. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, we observed a highway range of 200 miles.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
The EPA hasn’t yet published fuel economy estimates for the 2024 C40 Recharge but we’re expecting to see slight improvements over last year’s numbers. For more information about the C40 Recharge’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The cabin of the C40 Recharge largely mirrors that of the XC40. This means a high seating position, clever storage solutions throughout the cabin, and high-end materials and finishes. Don’t expect to see leather upholstery on the options sheet though: Volvo says the C40 Recharge is the first completely leather-free vehicle in its lineup. Also unique to the C40 Recharge are backlit trim panels on the dashboard and doors that illuminate to reveal an abstract representation of a topography map. Another big difference between the C40 and XC40 models is the former’s more dramatic rear roofline. This coupe-like rake cuts into cargo space somewhat, but drivers are less likely to notice that and more likely to notice the much larger blind spots that such styling creates.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A touchscreen infotainment system running Volvo’s latest Google Android-based infotainment system is standard and is capable of receiving over-the-air software updates. The system provides navigation through Google Maps and voice commands via Google Assistant. So far, we’ve found the new interface to be more responsive than Volvo’s last one, but its on-screen buttons are smaller and more difficult to actuate while driving. Additional apps are available to download through the Google Play Store. A digital gauge display is also standard, and the loaded Ultimate trim comes with a premium Harman Kardon stereo system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Volvo includes a comprehensive set of driver-assistance features as standard on the C40 Recharge, including lane-keeping assist and automated emergency braking. Volvo also offers its lane-centering adaptive cruise control system on the Ultimate trim. For more information about the C40 Recharge’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features are likely to include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Volvo offers a well-rounded warranty package on its new cars, including a complimentary scheduled maintenance plan that spans three years or 36,000 miles. The C40 Recharge is also available as part of the Care by Volvo subscription service, which also includes insurance, a home charging station, and an extended maintenance plan.
- Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Battery components are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Ultimate
Vehicle Type: front- and mid-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $59,845/$60,540
Options: Fjord Blue metallic paint, $695
POWERTRAIN
Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 201 hp, 243 lb-ft
Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 201 hp, 243 lb-ft
Combined Power: 402 hp
Combined Torque: 486 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 75.0 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW
Transmissions, F/R: direct-drives
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.6-in vented disc/13.4-in disc
Tires: Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season ELECT
F: 235/45R-20 100H M+S VOL
R: 255/40R-20 101H M+S VOL
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 106.4 in
Length: 174.8 in
Width: 73.7 in
Height: 62.8 in
Passenger Volume: 96 ft3
Cargo Volume: 18 ft3
Curb Weight: 4763 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.3 sec
100 mph: 10.8 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.9 sec @ 108 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.4 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.3 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 115 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 178 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 359 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.82 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
75-mph Highway Range: 200 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 87/94/80 MPGe
Range: 226 mi
