2024 Volvo C40 Recharge

A stylish sibling to the XC40 Recharge, the C40 Recharge goes for the coupe-like look by adding a sloping roof instead of the XC40’s more practical squared-off demeanor. That’s not a criticism, though. We’re all for having choices.

It seems the C40 Recharge can have a special appeal to city dwellers with either small families, no family at all, or perhaps just a significant other. Or it can pique the interest of anyone who doesn’t mind forgoing a little utility to gain some extra flair.

This year sees Volvo introducing a more affordable, longer-range, rear-wheel-drive single-motor version, while the twin-motor model receives a new drivetrain that improves its range. These are steps in a positive direction and provide more substance beneath the C40 Recharge’s style.

The XC40 Recharge electric SUV and gasoline-powered XC40 SUV are both reviewed separately.

The single-motor C40 Recharge will zip to 60 mph in just 6.9 seconds. Combined with the disarmingly smooth and quiet manner with which electric cars go about building speed, that’s just quick enough to impress the uninitiated. If you’d rather frighten them, consider the 4.5-second dual-motor configuration. Regardless of propulsion, we’ve found the C40 Recharge a pleasure to drive, equally at home on the highway and in the city.

An emphasis on style doesn’t stop the C40 Recharge electric SUV from having plenty of storage areas and super-comfortable front seats (heated, by the way) or a reasonable amount of rear passenger space. The rear legroom is the same as its XC40 counterpart: a generous 36.1 inches. The Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback does have about an inch more, however.

Rear headroom takes a 1.6-inch hit at 36.7 inches from the XC40, and the luggage area of 14.6 cubic feet is smaller by just over a cubic foot. A small stowage space under the hood is fine for accommodating the charging cable.

A standard panoramic fixed moonroof keeps things airy, despite the fastback styling. It would be great if Volvo also supplied a shade, although the glass does have a protective UV coating.

Upholstery at the Core level is now Charcoal City Canvas Textile. Plus models have a simulated suede, and the Ultimate offers a durable wool fabric. By design, the C40 Recharge doesn’t offer any real leather.

The distinguishing feature of the C40 Recharge is its sloping roofline. Its relationship with the Volvo XC40 Recharge is like that between the Audi Q4 e-tron and the Q4 e-tron Sportback. So, Volvo provides the choice between a squarer XC40 or this sleeker C40. Compared with the XC40 Recharge, the C40 Recharge is lower, with a height of 62.8 inches and a ground clearance of 6.7 inches (only an inch more than a Toyota Camry). The XC40 Recharge has a ground clearance of 8.1 inches.

Google/Android infotainment system
Controlled with a 9-inch high-definition touchscreen or through natural voice commands (just say “Hey, Google” to start things off), this system is capable of over-the-air updates and allows users to download apps through the Google Play store. Don’t fret; Apple CarPlay is also standard.

Digital driver information display
Standard in every new C40 Recharge, this 12.3-inch display is user-friendly while still adding to the cabin’s tech-rich vibe.

Navigation system
Another standard feature, this system uses Google Maps. But it’s also programmed with the needs of electric vehicles in mind. It shows the location of chargers on the route and predicts battery levels at journey’s end.

One-pedal driving
When the brake energy regeneration function is at its most robust setting, slowing down and speeding up are performed solely with the accelerator pedal. Even coming to a complete stop doesn’t have to mean touching the brakes unless there’s some urgency. For someone new to electric vehicles, this may seem daunting. But it’s surprising how easy it can be and how quickly it becomes part of the driving habit.

Pilot Assist
This is paired with adaptive cruise control, adding steering corrections to keep the C40 Recharge in its lane. The driver’s hands must remain on the steering wheel, though. It’s exclusive to the top Ultimate trim.

Harman Kardon audio
Another feature found only in the Ultimate trim, this Harman Kardon audio is an excellent 13-speaker, 600-watt surround-sound system.

This year, the 2024 C40 Recharge Single Motor is an all-new variant, deploying a rear-mounted electric motor to drive just the back wheels. This unit generates 248 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a beefier battery than its double-motor stablemate, resulting in a maximum range of 297 miles. This compares well with most rivals, except for the Tesla Model Y, which can run for 330 miles. The other advantage of this battery is quicker charging, going from 10 percent capacity to 80 percent in 28 minutes (using a DC fast charger) — that compares quite well with the charging times of other EVs.

The 2024 C40 Recharge Twin Motor comes into 2024 with new electric motors, one for each axle for an all-wheel-drive setup. They create a total of 402 horsepower and 494 lb-ft of torque. The maximum range is 257 miles, 31 more than last year and addressing one of the few drawbacks of the 2023 model. On a DC fast charger, it takes about 37 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent capacity.

Single Motor
248 horsepower
310 lb-ft of torque
EPA combined fuel economy: 107 MPGe (118 city, 96 highway)
EPA-estimated range: 297 miles

Twin Motor
402 total horsepower
494 lb-ft of total torque
EPA combined fuel economy: 99 MPGe (106 city, 91 highway)
EPA-estimated range: 257 miles

Safety Ratings

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has made the C40 Recharge a Top Safety Pick+, its top commendation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has yet to crash-test the C40 Recharge, but the mostly identical XC40 Recharge earned a maximum 5-star overall score.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The new-vehicle warranty on a C40 Recharge is four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. Batteries are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. These terms are typical for the luxury electric vehicle (EV) class.