Volvo C40 Recharge Review: The Lifestyle EV

It was a couple of years ago that Volvo India committed to bringing in electric vehicles to India, and last year we saw one of the very first all-electric cars from the company’s stable, hit Indian shores. I am, of course, talking about the XC40 Recharge. Post that, the company has promised to bring in a new all-electric vehicle to the country every year. So, 2023 is the year of this coupe – the C40 Recharge.

Volvo C40 Recharge: How Does It Look?

Well, the answer is simple. Volvo has taken the XC40 recharge and turned it into a coupe. But this one is only electric, so there are no other variants. No petrol, no plug-in hybrid. Just electric! Volvo has taken a conscious call there because had there been other variants offered, the sales would surely have been higher.

But it’s more about making it more lifestyle-oriented and that’s what the C40 Recharge does. It isn’t rugged to look at like the XC40 and that’s again a big part of the design since this one had to look different and appeal to a different crowd too. The C40 Recharge also exclusively gets Pixel LED headlights that you'll not find in any other Volvo in India yet.

Given that it had to make the coupe, Volvo had to redesign the rear. The tail lamps here are a lot slimmer, have a wider wraparound effect and get new reverse lights. The LEDs also protrude into the tailgate and that’s why it looks wider too from the rear.

There’s also a new two-part spoiler – one on the boot lid that’s blacked out and one on the roof with a twin-pod design aimed at improving aerodynamics. The bumpers, however, are the same as the SUV. But the rear, overall, is a lot busier and sportier looking.

Volvo C40 Recharge: Cabin & Features

While design is a key differentiator, there's still a lot of XC40 Recharge still in the car. The dashboard design is the same, and there are a few touches that make it different, but, overall, it’s the same. It continues to get a 9.0-inch portrait-style touchscreen flanked by slim AC vents, wood inlays on the dashboard, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The quality of materials, fit, and finish remain as good as you’d expect from Volvo.

The C40 Recharge gets an Android-based infotainment system with direct access to Google Maps and Assistant, and several apps from the Play Store with the help of an onboard e-SIM. It also gets a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, a 360-degree camera, and a full suite of sensor-based ADAS tech with autonomous driving which is Level 3. So, it’s packed to the brim with features.

But there’s one feature that really catches your attention. Volvo has blanked off the starter button; instead, you activate the motors simply by sitting in the driver’s seat. Of course, you need to have the key with you inside the car, and it’s only when you sit that the ignition turns on. So, essentially, your backside provides the ignition.

Volvo C40 Recharge: Boot Space

The C40’s Recharge’s boot space, however, has gone down to 413 litres from the SUV’s 452 litres, although the 31-litre frunk space remains unchanged.

Volvo C40 Recharge: Rear Seat Space

The sloping roofline design element does take a toll on the headroom at the rear. There was hardly any space for my head, so anyone taller than me was going to have a problem for sure. Knee and under-thigh support though were good.

Volvo C40 Recharge: Battery Pack & Claimed Range

The C40 Recharge in India gets a dual-motor set-up – one on each axle – with a 78kWh battery pack for a claimed range of 530km in a single charge on the WLTP cycle. Interestingly, the range has shot up massively over the SUV's claimed 418km range, thanks to a newer generation battery and better aerodynamics. 

Volvo C40 Recharge: How Is It To Drive?

Siddharth had already driven the car and he told you all about it, but Indian roads come with their own set of challenges, like traffic, potholes and charging points. With 405 bhp on offer, the C40 Recharge has a good amount of power to propel it and 660 Nm of torque is available from the word go. 60% of the power is channelled to the front wheels while 40 per cent goes to the rear and with both the motors running in perfect coordination, there is no dearth of power.

But if you want to kick in the one-pedal drive, you can do that too and once activated, there is bare minimum use of brakes, and it also helps regenerate the battery pack. Now, the usage is meant for driving within the city, so you don’t have to use the brakes much and it also adds to the range. It’s very innovative for sure, but we’re not seeing this tech for the first time, right?

Volvo C40 Recharge: Ride & Handling

Straight off the bat, it’s not the sportiest car you’ll get behind the wheel of. So don’t assume it is. The C40 Recharge isn’t a car you’d dive into a corner in, but make no mistake, it will still make it out of that corner with a little annoyance and make it very clear that you shouldn’t do it again. But the ride quality really surprises you, because even the deep potholes are dealt with ease. There is no lateral movement inside and the passengers too will not get disturbed.

The C40 Recharge in fact puts you in a Zen-like state while driving. You are insulated from all the noise on the outside. In fact, even tyre noise does not seep in and that’s a big takeaway.

Volvo C40 Recharge: Charging Time

The C40 Recharge is capable of fast charging with a 150kW DC charger that can top up its batteries from 0 to 100 per cent in 27 minutes.

Volvo C40 Recharge: Verdict

Does the C40 Recharge deserve your attention, or you should look at cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 or even the XC40 Recharge? Well, frankly given the space and looks the Ioniq 5 or the EV6 are better but, there’s a high likelihood that Volvo will price the C40 Recharge extremely competitively given that it will be assembled right here in India.

But will that be enough to grab your attention? I doubt it but I would be more than happy if Volvo proves me wrong!