Volvo continues to expand its electric vehicle lineup, with a plan to go all-electric by 2030. Volvo’s latest EV is the C40 Recharge, based on the XC40. Unlike the XC40, there is no gasoline version of the C40. Since the C40 is based on the XC40, they’re both quite similar except for a more aggressively raked rear glass on the C40, giving it that “4-door coupe” look. The C40 is a bit longer than the XC40 to compensate for the space lost in the trunk area due to the swoopy rear glass.
2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Canadian Prices
The 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge comes in three trims: Core, Plus, and Ultimate, just like the XC40 Recharge. The C40 Recharge Core has a starting price of $59,950, the Plus is priced at $69,995, and the C40 Recharge Ultimate is priced at $74,600. The prices on the first two trims are the same as XC40 Recharge, the C40 Recharge ultimate is $700 more expensive than the XC40 Recharge Ultimate. These prices do not include Freight & PDI of $2,315 and a “Pre-Tax Dealership Charge” of $1,095. I’m not sure what the pre-tax dealership charge is; I don’t think I’ve ever seen something like this.
Our review car was the fully loaded 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Ultimate P8 AWD, with the only available option of metallic paint, which cost $900.
Does the C40 Recharge Qualify for the Canadian iZEV Program?
Since I reviewed the XC40 Recharge, there has been a change to the way the iZEV program works. At the time of the review, the XC40 Recharge didn’t qualify for the rebate because the starting price for the base trim was over the max $45,000 threshold. However, the program changed on April 25, 2022 and the maximum starting price was increased to $55,000 for the base trim and $65,000 maximum for cars with more expensive trims.
Based on the starting prices of $59,950 for both the XC40 and C40 Recharge, you’d think these vehicles wouldn’t qualify for the Federal rebate of $5,000; however, the iZEV programs’ website lists the XC40 Recharge (the base trim) as being eligible for the incentive, but it doesn’t show the C40 Recharge. Yes, it’s confusing. If the base XC40 Recharge qualifies for the rebate, then the base C40 Recharge should also qualify, but the website doesn’t show the C40. Here’s a link to the government’s eligible iZEV vehicles.
2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Battery/Motors
All trims of the C40 Recharge come with a 78 kWh Lithium-ion battery pack, which is good for 364 kilometers of range, which is 5km more than the XC40 Recharged we reviewed earlier this year. The C40 Recharge comes with a pair of 150 kW electric motors, one for the front wheels and one for the rear wheels. The combined output of 300 kW translates to 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque, all available from 0 rpm. The C40 Recharge does the 0 – 100 km time in only 4.7 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds faster than the XC40. Could the sleeker roof cause a faster time to 100 km and the added 5 kilometers of range?
The difference between the claimed range and actual range depends on many factors, which is also the case for internal combustion engines, but we don’t seem to pay that much attention to them. For EV range, one of the biggest drains on the range is exterior temperature, with winter being notoriously hard on the range. The range loss is usually 20% or more in the winter months, depending on how cold your winters get. And running the heater also decreases the range, although the C40 Recharge does come with a heat pump. However, in the summer, the range shown on the computer is usually substantially higher than the claimed range, so if you average out the range over a full year, I’m sure you’d get to the claimed range on average.
Since our review took place in the summer, the onboard computer showed 370 kilometers at 90% state of charge, which would translate to 411 kilometers at 100% charge, if my math is correct (which it is). The C40 Recharge has less driving range than other CUVs in this segment, with the Model Y, Genesis GV60, Ioniq 5, and Kia EV beating it on driving range.
The C40 Recharge also isn’t the fastest at recharging compared to the above-mentioned EVs. It can be charged from 10% to 80% in 37 minutes at a 150 kW DC fast charger; this time also depends on the outside temperature, the car’s battery temperature, and the condition of the charger.
Driving The XC40 Recharge
Like the Volvo XC40 Recharge, you won’t find a start-stop button to get the C40 in motion. All you need is the key fob with you and the car is already ready to go. You just need to select Drive or Reverse and off you go. It’s one less thing you have to worry about.
Driving the C40 Recharge feels like driving the XC40 Recharge, which felt “normal” gasoline car with no engine noise. And like the XC40, putting your foot down, all the available torque and horsepower shoot you like a bullet out of a gun. EVs are known for their quick acceleration, but I am still surprised by the immediate acceleration and how quickly these vehicles can exceed the speed limits.
Like other new Volvo vehicles, the C40 Recharge doesn’t come with driving modes, which I often use. But I feel like the C40 provides you with the type of throttle response you’re looking for without going through different driving modes. I liked the suspension setup, which is quite sporty but not bone-jarring like the Mustang Mach-E/Model Y and is firmer than the Ioniq 5’s. It is a perfect blend of sport and comfort and there isn’t much body roll on the C40 Recharge.
The C40 Recharge, like the XC40, doesn’t come with different regeneration levels. You either get coasting or one-pedal driving. I don’t use one-pedal driving; I understand the concept and can see why people like using it, but it puts too much pressure on my foot. There is regeneration when you press the brake pedal, which is quite efficient at recovering kinetic energy. The brakes have a natural feel and I didn’t feel any abrupt changes when the braking goes from regeneration to mechanical braking.
Styling, Interior & Tech
Styling-wise, the C40 is the sportier version of the XC40. Thankfully, Volvo doesn’t call it a “2-door coupe SUV-thing”. The C40’s styling is similar to the XC40; the difference comes from the B-pillar and backward. The roof slants down at a much more aggressive angle; while the XC40 is boxy, the C40 features a streamlined rear section. With the more aggressive roof line, you do lose a bit of headroom in the back seats and you would lose car area but Volvo has made the C40 a bit longer, which results in the same amount of rear cargo area. The C40 also features a different set of taillights, which look quite cool at night.
Other than a bit less head room in the interior, the C40 has exactly the same interior as the XC40; you can head over to my other review to see my thoughts on the interior and all the equipment available on the C40/XC40.
Final Thoughts on the Volvo C40 Recharge
I enjoyed driving the Volvo C40 Recharge; it has a good enough range where you don’t have to worry about running out of range during normal use. On longer trips, you will need to schedule longer breaks. The C40 Recharge is quite fun to drive; it has a nicely balanced suspension that’s not bone-jarring like some competitors and is also not too soft.
The C40 is quite an expensive vehicle, in my opinion. I would expect many more bells and whistles at this price, especially for the top-of-the-line trim.
