2023 Volvo C40 Recharge new car review

This high class European brand is reinventing itself and its newest car is the first of its kind for more than one reason.

Volvo’s new C40 Recharge is the first electric-only Volvo.

While the XC40 SUV has both petrol-powered and EV versions, this sleek new crossover will only ever be powered by electricity.

It also does without leather – even as an option – as the Swedish brand looks to reinforce its alternative image.

This is Volvo’s first electric-only model.

The C40 has the high-riding stance of an SUV but there’s coupe inspiration in the raked roofline. The look is a big part of the C40 sales pitch.

The C40 Recharge Pure Electric sells from about $80,000 drive-away, which is about $2500 more than its XC40 equivalent. NSW buyers are eligible for a stamp duty rebate of a few thousand dollars, but it sidesteps most other State-based EV rebates.

Standard gear for the single-motor version includes a powered tailgate, heated front and rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, smart-key entry and 19-inch wheels. There’s also a 9-inch infotainment system powered by Google’s Android Automotive system that incorporates voice operation and maps as well as four years of data (beyond that there’s a subscription).

Teh C40 also ditches leather.

The NSW rebate isn’t available on the dual-motor version, which is about $88,000, some $3000 more than the equivalent XC40. Aside from more power and torque, it picks up 20-inch wheels, a 360-degree camera and 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio, as well as unique trim elements and interior finishes.

In either model the materials and finishes of the made-in-China C40 are of a high quality. Metallic highlights break up the dark hues and there’s a quality feel, with the modern-looking Fusion Microtech trim on the dual-motor befitting the price tag.

With a sleeker roofline than the XC40 Recharge it’s closely related to, the C40 has slightly less interior space.

It shares a lot with the XC40 Recharge.

Those up front won’t notice much difference and for a high-rider with compact exterior dimensions it packs plenty in.

But the back seat has less headroom than the XC40, so taller adults may find themselves stooping to accommodate.

The C40’s platform was originally designed to accommodate an internal combustion engine, so the person in the centre seat has less foot space due to the tunnel on the floor.

While there’s a 60/40 split-fold system and broad hatch-like opening, the 489 litres of luggage space is about 15 per cent less than the XC40. Underfloor storage takes care of charging cables and other odds and ends. The standard small space under the bonnet is handy for valuables and smaller items.

The C40 feels luxurious inside.

Unsurprisingly the driving experience is very similar to the XC40 Recharge, although the C40 seems more adept at cushioning occupants from bumps. Pirelli rubber delivers on grip and it settles confidently into a corner. There’s some occasional unwanted noise from those tyres but in the suburbs it’s mostly appropriately hushed.

With 170kW and 330Nm the nuggety single-motor model provides ample pull for darting around town and will easily hold its own at 110km/h on a freeway. The dual-motor is a lot feistier, mustering 300kW and 660Nm to fire to 100km/h in as little as 4.7 seconds. There’s genuine pace when the driver demands it.

Volvo believes its looks are one of its biggest selling points.

Whereas the front-drive Single Motor can occasionally tug at the steering wheel as it transfers its torque to the bitumen, the dual-motor gets its power to the ground more assertively.

Each should also travel close to 400km between charges. The single-motor has a battery with 67kWh of usable capacity and a claimed range of 434km, while the more powerful dual-motor version has a bigger 75kWh battery but a shorter range of 420km.

Each comes with a home slow-charging cable that we refill the battery in between 34 and 38 hours. A wallbox charger lowers that to 6.5 and seven hours.

Faster DC charging at up to 150kW at public stations can provide a 10-80 per cent top-up in as little as 32 minutes for the single-motor and 40 minutes for the dual-motor.

Competent driving manners aside, it’s the look that Volvo believes is one of the C40’s biggest assets. The crossover-like coupe-inspired costs extra for its unique EV-only body style, but by compact car standards it’s easy to live with.

Plus you won’t have to join a near-endless queue, as is the case with many sub-$100K EVs. Volvo plans to bring 1500 here next year.

VERDICT 3.5/5

A more compact, electric-only alternative to Volvo’s XC40 SUV, the C40 has strong eco-credentials but doesn’t really change the game.

VOLVO C40 RECHARGE

PRICE From about $80,000 drive-away

WARRANTY/SERVICE Five yrs/unl’td km, $1000 for 5 years/150,000km

SAFETY Eight airbags, auto emergency braking, lane-keep assist, driver monitor, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert

POWER Single electric motor, 170kW and 330Nm

RANGE 434km

SPARE Repair kit

BOOT 409 litres

Originally published as 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge new car review