One-Week Test Drive: Volvo's All-Electric C40: This or a Tesla?

Looking for Volvo's legendary safety mixed with 21st-century efficiency from an EV? Check out Volvo's new C40 Recharge. It's the four-door, couple-like version of the XC40 Recharge.

This 2024 version offers nearly 300 miles of range or 260 miles of range, depending on the model, and it starts at about $55,000 and goes all the way up to about $62,000 for the fully loaded version we tested here.

So can this C40 take on rivals like the Tesla Model Y, Genesis GV60 and Lexus RZ? Let’s go spend a week with one and find out.

Some highlights:

Exterior: This EV looks largely the same as the XC40 Recharge, which is the more boxier crossover version. Our tester comes with 20” alloy wheels since it's the high-end Ultimate trim.

The Tesla Model Y is longer, higher, and wider than this Volvo. The length, width and wheelbase are the same as the XC40, and it loses about a cubic foot of cargo space in the back and obviously gives up some headroom in the rear seats versus its XC40 version.

There are three trims available for the C40 Recharge:

- The 'Core' starts at a little over $55,000 and comes standard with goodies like a panoramic roof, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch touchscreen with an infotainment system run by Google Assist, Google Maps, and Google Play Store built-in (but no wireless Apple CarPlay), blind spot monitoring, and cross-traffic alerts.

The 'Plus' version adds fog lights and a 360-degree exterior camera.

The 'Ultimate' that we tested adds a premium Harmon Kardon audio system, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, 20” alloy wheels, heated steering wheel, parking sensors, heated rear seats, and a power passenger seat.

Powertrains: For 2024, the C40 comes in rear-wheel-drive with a single motor or all-wheel-drive with a pair of motors, which Volvo calls the Twin.

The base version has a 79.0-kWh battery pack, an estimated 297 miles of driving range, and 248 horsepower. 'Car and Driver' estimates this version will do 0-60 in about 6.6 seconds.

The AWD 'Twin models carry over from 2023, but now pack an estimated range of 257 miles per charge from a 75 kWh battery, and a stout 402 horsepower. It'll scoot from 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, 'C&D' says.

All C40 Recharge models have 200-kW DC fast charging, which can juice the battery from 10 to 80 percent charge in just under half an hour.

So how does all this stack up? Check out the video to find out!

Ready to shop for a new or used Volvo like this one, no matter what's on your list? Be sure to check out:

Presenter: David Undercoffler
Editor: Phil Shuyler

#Volvo #VolvoEV #VolvoC40Recharge #ElectricVolvo

[stickylightning]

The answer is yes, it is better than a Tesla. Especially when the charging network is opened up.

[mellol]

For what it’s worth, the frunk goes a little deeper if you take out that divider and the tire repair kit under.

[robc]

Looks great. What color is that? Thanks for the review. I have a ex30 on deposit but think this might be a much better choice

[Joe-lbqn]

I don't like the rear tunnel losing a passenger space, the look of the screen with the inbuilt air vents (admittedly minor point), and critically the price even for the lower range model

[JustMe]

Much quieter inside, and much more upscale interior than a Tesla.