Volvo’s path to electrification is effectively underway, with the corporate aiming to be purely electrical by 2030. Meaning there will not be any extra launches for combustion fashions, with a transition from vehicles designed initially for combustion to automobiles powered by batteries.
The XC40 Recharge is typical of this, having launched initially as an ICE car – and inner combustion engine for anybody unfamiliar with the lingo – earlier than the Recharge badge was utilized to a pure electrical mannequin. The Volvo C40 Recharge is barely totally different: regardless of being a variant of the XC40, it by no means launched with a combustion engine; it launched as electrical solely – and stays so. In some ways, it is Volvo’s first purely electrical car earlier than we get to the imminent Volvo EX30 and the long-teased Volvo EX90.
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Volvo C40 Recharge
The Volvo C40 Recharge presents all the benefits of the XC40 Recharge however with a dropped roofline for a barely sportier look. It’s extra distinctive on the street, too, however the slight raise in value over its virtually twin sibling within the XC40 is likely to be what deters patrons. Nonetheless, nice clear design, a snug journey and nice connectivity choices stay enticing, however section competitors is fierce.
- Nice Google infotainment system
- Clean and fuss-free drive
- Actually comfy seats
- Dearer than XC40 Recharge
- It is all a bit protected in design
Design and construct
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Whereas the Volvo XC40 is a well-recognized sight on the roads – thanks partly to having launched as a standard SUV alongside the electrical Recharge model – the C40 Recharge is much less widespread. From the B pillar ahead (that is behind the entrance doorways,) this automobile is actually the identical because the XC40. It sits on the identical platform and has a lot the identical seems to be.
The distinction comes across the rear of the C40 Recharge, with Volvo choosing a dropping coupé-like roofline for sleeker and sportier seems to be than the XC40 Recharge sibling. It is a transfer we have seen from manufacturers like VW, Audi and Skoda, which all have rivalling fashions providing two physique types, a lot as is seen right here. Simply check out the VW ID.5 or Skoda Enyaq IV Coupé, for instance.
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Whereas that dropping roofline makes for a special look on the street, there’s one massive disadvantage. The rear window visibility is squeezed, with the aerodynamic mouldings across the high of the rear window obscuring a lot of the view. It additionally means the rear of the C40 Recharge feels much less spacious and ethereal than the XC40 Recharge. Which may not be an issue for these within the entrance seat (ignoring the diminished rear visibility on the street), but when loading up with children and luggage is what you need out of your SUV, then the XC40 Recharge will doubtless be extra handy.
The automobile carries distinctive Volvo seems to be, nonetheless, sturdy traces with a boxy look, making this compact SUV look a little bit extra rugged than some rivals, however some could also be drawn to the truth that it is rather less widespread than the XC40 sibling.
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There’s 404 litres of loading house within the rear, in comparison with 419 litres within the XC40. Folding down the rear seats will develop that, however the XC40 is bigger once more. There’s house within the entrance too, though that is higher used for issues like charging cables.
There are three trim ranges – Core, Plus and Final, every with differing tools ranges – with single or twin motor choices for every, so there isn’t any scarcity of choices to discover. One essential change that got here with the 2023 replace for the C40 Recharge is the shift to rear-wheel drive for the single-motor model, which Volvo says is designed to make it extra environment friendly.
A cushty inside
The inside of the C40 Recharge is actually the identical because the XC40 Recharge. Volvo’s message is more and more about sustainability, so there is a leaning in the direction of recycled and managed supplies, however nonetheless a reasonably heavy use of tougher plastics. Which may make them simpler to get well when the automobile reaches the tip of its life, however on the identical time, it is not probably the most premium of automobile interiors you will discover at this value level. There are additionally plastic panels on the sprint, which look a little bit low cost.
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From the entrance seat, there’s loads of house and loads of adjustability, with minimal buttons on the inside, the main focus as an alternative being on the central show. This show and inside design was launched in 2015 with the launch of the XC90 and checked out by way of a up to date lens; it will possibly’t compete with the likes of the Ford Mustang Mach-E with its large inner show or the Hyundai Ioniq 5 with its sweeping screens. It now all feels a little bit small, though the general minimalist aesthetic is one thing we’re seeing in different vehicles.
It is easy sufficient to get to options you need, however that is the essential factor on this mid-life replace for the C40 Recharge. It is all nonetheless useful if not now being cutting-edge. The consolation and high quality of the seats continues to be spectacular, nonetheless, providing loads of adjustability, with sufficient room entrance and rear to hold grownup passengers in relative consolation – and loads of knee house for these within the again.
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What the Volvo C40 Recharge is admittedly about is giving folks a Volvo. This automobile is not attempting to face out or transfer the model ahead; it’s totally a lot working with what Volvo drivers anticipate. With that mentioned, it is quiet and refined, a pleasant play to be, however it’s not the form of inside that can get folks speaking.
The expertise loadout
One of many issues that Volvo likes to speak about, nonetheless, is the tech. It was one of many early producers to throw in its lot with Google, basing the inside system on Google’s automotive platform, so there’s native entry to Google apps and companies. This implies it is acquainted, with Google Maps in place, maybe eradicating the necessity at all times to plug in your telephone to get to a contemporary system.
However do not fall into the entice of pondering that’s solely about Android Automotive: it is not. It is simply as blissful to accommodate your Apple CarPlay once you join your iPhone. The query is whether or not you will wish to do this, given you could run apps like Waze natively on the built-in system.
This central show governs a lot of the interplay, with buttons solely providing fundamental demist and a play/pause and monitor skip choice, with local weather controls retained throughout the contact interface itself.
There is no begin button now; you simply get within the automobile, and it is able to go, which follows a line of pondering that Tesla is pursuing: take away buttons you do not want. It is only a disgrace that the beginning button is now a clean house as a result of the inside panel is similar because it was earlier than. So, it is a technological development that the design does not fairly sustain with.
A lot of the motion takes place on the 9-inch central show, and the person interface is straightforward to make use of; customers of Android programs will in all probability welcome the familiarity, however it now feels a little bit small. It is supported by a 12-inch digital driver show that clearly reveals all the mandatory data.
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The usual sound system provides you eight audio system and a 250W output, however the Harman Kardon choice bumps this to 13 audio system and 600, which is spectacular. If you wish to benefit from that native Spotify app and love your music, then it is definitely worth the improve.
Battery, vary and efficiency
One of many attention-grabbing issues in regards to the Volvo C40 Recharge is that there are not any driving modes. Many vehicles provide some form of eco mode, one thing for regular driving and maybe a sports activities mode. However Volvo simply needs you to get in and drive with out desirous about any of that stuff. However there’s a one-pedal driving mode that is value looking for out within the menus, as it will make your every day driving easier, maximising regen once you raise off so that you needn’t stamp on the brakes as usually.
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I discovered the one-pedal driving mannequin to make for a easy drive, the high-riding SUV providing you with a domineering place on the street for nice visibility, aside from the again window, in fact. Sitting excessive does enhance the feeling of roll as you slosh across the seats a little bit when cornering at tempo, however for many drivers, that is unlikely to be an issue. The only motor mannequin has a 69kWh battery (66kWh usable, with a 175kW motor driving the rear wheels. That is 238hp, which will provide you with a 0-62 time of seven.3 seconds. The official cited vary is 302 miles; the typical we took from the automobile throughout take a look at driving (albeit on clear nation roads at restrained speeds) was 3.3 miles per kWh.
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The AWD mannequin will get an 82kWh battery (79kWh usable) however sees a leap to 300kW for 408hp. That sees a 0-62 time of 4.7 seconds, which is severely fast and doubtless sooner than most individuals will want. There’s additionally a fairly large leap in value for the AWD mannequin, which once more may deter some patrons. The bigger battery capability additionally means an extended cited vary of 342 miles – which you will not get close to for those who take full benefit of that acceleration. There’s assist for 150kW charging.
There is a sense of competence from the Volvo C40 Recharge, however there’s little distinction between this because the XC40 Recharge and the swap from entrance to rear motor on the only motor choice does not make an enormous distinction to the driving expertise, even when there’s a barely enhance in effectivity in comparison with the earlier model of the C40 Recharge.
Verdict
There’s so much going for the Volvo C40 Recharge, however there are additionally a couple of factors towards it. The satisfying driving expertise has loads of sensible quirks with that high-riding place and house within the again for passengers. Mix that with a tech loadout that is not superior a lot up to now couple of years however continues to be effectively linked, and there is little to complain about.
However the value is a little bit greater than the XC40 Recharge that is principally the identical automobile, however with a little bit extra space for storing and with seems to be which are a mite extra typical. However there are extra XC40’s on the street, so for those who’re after one thing that is maybe a little bit extra sporty in seems to be and barely much less widespread, then the C40 Recharge is value your time.
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