2024 Volvo C40 Recharge Hatchback

　　2024 Volvo C40 Recharge Review

　　byClint SimoneSenior Reviews Editor

　　Clint Simone has worked in the automotive industry since 2015. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Before joining zzdcar as a senior reviews editor, Clint contributed to Motor1.com and InsideEVs, evaluating mostly electric cars. Clint loves hot hatchbacks more than any other type of vehicle but secretly enjoys driving big trucks when he gets the chance. He would never admit to that.

　　5/12/2023

　　What is the C40 Recharge?

　　In 2022, Volvo came up with the C40 Recharge, a compact all-electric crossover with sleek styling and an oh-so-trendy sloping roofline. To date, Volvo has only offered one powertrain configuration for this EV: two motors and all-wheel drive.

　　For 2024, a single-motor trim with rear-wheel drive joins the dual-motor variant for both the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge. This brings the cost of entry down and the range potential up. For most shoppers who are considering a Volvo, this entry-level trim will absolutely get the job done.

　　How much power does the C40 Recharge have?

　　For the first time, Volvo will offer the C40 Recharge with two powertrain choices. The entry-level single-motor version has one motor on the rear axle that makes 248 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This is good enough to get the car to 60 mph in a claimed 6.9 seconds. The performance hungry among us will be more interested in the dual-motor variant that packs one motor on each axle and all-wheel drive. Power surges up to 402 hp and 494 lb-ft, which drops the 0-60 time to 4.5 seconds.

　　While the battery pack is the same size in both trim levels, Volvo squeezed out some extra capacity in the single-motor, now at 82 kilowatt-hours. The dual-motor has slightly less at 78 kWh.

　　How much range does the C40 Recharge have?

　　For 2024, Volvo says the dual-motor Volvo C40 should get an EPA-estimated 257 miles of range on a full charge. The more frugal single-motor trim should be good for 297 miles. We look forward to getting both trims in for our zzdcar real-world range test in the near future.

　　As far as charging goes, the Recharge is relatively speedy. It should take about eight hours to charge from empty to full if you have a 240-volt power source that outputs 11 kW. On a 150-kW DC fast charger, the C40 Recharge can charge from 10% to 80% capacity in 34 minutes for the dual-motor or 28 minutes for the single-motor.

　　How does the C40 Recharge drive?

　　Don't let the somewhat modest 248 hp in the single-motor model fool you because this pint-sized EV can boogie when you give it the beans thanks to a healthy torque figure that is available at a moment's notice. Getting the car up to highway speed was a breeze, and when a little extra was needed to make a pass the Volvo obliged without any stress. Volvo says 60 mph should happen in 6.9 seconds, but it feels quicker in the driver's seat.

　　Volvo's one-pedal driving is smoothly integrated, so slowing the car down to a stop just requires a gradual lift of the foot. We're not as pleased by Volvo's odd two-stage steering settings. In both modes, the steering doesn't provide much feedback to the driver and feels too disconnected from the road. This just isn't an EV that's begging to be pushed hard. The XC40's personality on the road is much more tame than that of its Polestar 2 cousin.

　　Instead, think of the single-motor C40 Recharge as a very well-sorted commuter car. Its non-adaptive suspension is tuned with comfort in mind, soaking up bumps big and small. The sound insolation is fantastic, so you only hear the outside world at high speeds. This little Volvo is a phenomenal companion to tackle a daily trip to the office in.

　　The dual-motor C40 is a more potent animal across the board. Its 402 hp and 448 lb-ft make this unassuming crossover a total sleeper car. While its power is more than abundant for those who crave something quick, we'd still look elsewhere for a performance-focused EV.

　　How comfortable is the C40 Recharge?

　　For a small, sporty SUV, the C40 Recharge is fairly comfortable. The biggest differences between this all-electric version and its gas-powered counterpart? The Recharge is much quieter and its climate control turns on faster. We found the regular C40's engine to be a big contributor to noise, and its slow-booting onboard systems meant delays in turning on the climate system via the touchscreen controls. The Recharge starts up and is ready to drive the moment you open the door, and its electric motors produce very little noise.

　　The Recharge's ride is more firm than comfortable, likely because of its extra weight and its bias toward sporty handling. The front seats are covered in a soft wool blend and come with decent adjustability. As in the other C40s, the headrests have an odd forward angle to them, which may be uncomfortable for people with longer torsos.

　　How's the C40 Recharge's interior?

　　Volvo's typical user interface remains, and most controls are accessed through the touchscreen. But the Recharge inherits Google's new in-car operating system, which includes convenient apps such as Google Maps and Spotify built right into the car. The menus aren't quite as intuitive to navigate as in the related Polestar 2, but the functionality is just as good.

　　For such a compact SUV, the C40 has a relatively roomy cabin that's a breeze to get into and out of. Tall drivers might not be able to find a comfortable seating position due to limited steering wheel adjustability and the protruding headrest design. Legroom in the back should suffice for anyone 6 feet or shorter. The big downside is the rearward visibility, which suffers greatly from the sloped roof. It's legitimately hard to see out of this car from some angles. Another tick in L column is the all-glass roof and its lack of sunshade. This thing can collect some serious heat without the AC on, even with the tinting that it has.

　　How's the C40 Recharge's tech?

　　With the Google operating system onboard, there are some great and some not-so-great features. We love being able to access apps like Google Maps inside the car, and having the Google Assistant as a voice recognition system makes it one of the easier ways to control things.

　　We don't like that a sudden loss of the data connection will render all the Google features useless until the connection is restored. It offers Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, and the Bluetooth connection is pretty limited. Four USB-C ports plus two 12-volt outlets and a wireless charger ensure there are ample options for keeping devices charged up. A full suite of advanced driver aids is optional and a bit pricey, but we think it's worth getting since all the features work quite well.

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　Learn more about EV charging

　　zzdcar says

　　The 2024 Volvo C40 Recharge is a better proposition than before thanks to its multiple powertrain options and improved range and charging. Don't count this little crossover out when considering your next EV.