2023 Volvo C40 Recharge

The C40 Recharge is back for 2023 as Volvo’s only standalone pure EV with no gas-powered equivalent after its debut last year. The sloped five-seat SUV is part of Volvo’s goal to only offer pure electric vehicles by 2030. Its premium styling gets a price drop with a simplified starting base after its initial release came fully loaded. It still veers into luxury SUV territory for a fully electric family hauler and offers a sleeker option to the similar XC40 Recharge.

For its second year, the C40 Recharge is mostly unchanged. But instead of one Premium model there are two lower-level trims, Core and Plus, which brings the starting price down. All three trims offer 226-mile range, all-wheel drive and a 78 kWh battery, similar to sibling car XC40 Recharge with the same P8 AWD powertrain, with two motors at the front and back for a combined total of 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. 

The C40’s competitors are spread throughout the electric SUV lineup: The all-wheel drive versions of the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4 align in price, space and performance, while the five-seater AWD Tesla Model Y pushes past it on battery range. On the more premium side the Jaguar I-Pace and Audi Q4 e-tron match it for build quality and materials.

Like most all-electric vehicles, there’s plenty of torque and power at the low end. Three trim options start with Core ($56,395), move up to Plus ($57,945) and end with the top-spec Ultimate ($61,195). For advanced cruise control and the better audio and tech equipment, Ultimate includes it all, but the base interior comes with standard premium features.

Thanks to the battery placement the vehicle feels secure and planted on the road and the all-wheel-drive system makes quick and easy work of switchbacks. It’s pretty fast for an SUV at 4.5 seconds from a stop, but the battery range tops out around 226 miles, much lower than other electric SUVs of this size (and price).

One of the most compelling features of the base SUV is Google OS built into the vehicle. As with the XC40 Recharge, the driver can say, “Hey, Google” to access most features. Android users will have an especially short learning curve, while iPhone users won’t miss Apple CarPlay, though it is available. With the same powertrain across the lineup, drivers will be happy with the base trim that brings premium features at a newer, lower price.

Performance: 13/15

With 402 combined horsepower and  486 pound-feet of torque with dual-motor all-wheel drive on a 78 kWh lithium-ion battery, the C40 Recharge is fairly nimble for a SUV, though it has a slimmer backside than its XC40 Recharge sibling. It’s quicker to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds than the XC40 Recharge (4.7 seconds) and trounces competition from Audi (7.9 seconds) and VW (5.7), but can’t keep up with the Performance Model Y’s 3.5 seconds. When quickly lurching forward passengers can feel their stomachs drop—that instant torque is no joke. 

At the wheel it’s not the firmest steering feel, but it’s easy to launch from a stop, especially in slow-moving traffic. The aggressive one-pedal regenerative braking took some getting used to, but once accustomed it’s hard not to use it. Removing the energy-saving feature shot the car forward. On curvy, slick roads the wide-set SUV stayed planted and smoothly handled turns and uneven terrain. 

It’s rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds. 

Range, Energy Use & Charging: 9/15

The 75 kWh available in the over 4,700-pound SUV’s battery only provides 226-mile range, low compared to the Model Y’s max 330 range. The Q4 e-tron is better, as is the I-Pace, with some versions of the AWD Mach-E matching the Recharge’s low range. 

For efficiency, the C40 Recharge lags behind: Its mpg equivalent, or MPGe, is 87 combined. It burns the most energy per mile, too (39 kWh per 100 miles). The Tesla beats all with 123 MPGe and a low 28 kWh/100 mile rate. Even the Mach-E is more efficient at 93 MPGe. 

When it comes to charging, the C40 can keep up and accepts up to 150 kW fast charging. With an empty battery it can get to 80% in 40 minutes. A Level 2 installed at home can get to 100% in 8 hours, perfect for overnight charging. Using the regenerative braking feature helps recoup battery and a helpful range assistant app is built in, which breaks down how energy is being used (aggressive driving style or too much AC?) and can be adjusted to preserve battery life.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 12/15

The C40 Recharge loses a point in our safety evaluation because the new base Core version no longer includes the entire safety suite as standard like it did in its debut year. Only the top-tier Ultimate trim includes adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. But the base does offer cross traffic alerts and other warnings.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) made it a Top Safety Pick+, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet rated it. The Australian and European equivalent agencies both give it the five max stars.

Comfort & Room: 12/15

Stepping into the C40 Recharge feels calm and luxe, but still approachable. The dark interior makes for a mature ambiance and distracts from a surprisingly leather-free interior that uses recycled materials throughout. A wood-like topographical design glows along the door panels for a sophisticated take on lighting. 

The front seats are firm yet comfortable, an improved version of Volvo-spinoff electric brand Polestar’s seating. The steering wheel and gear shifter are well positioned and feel good to maneuver. The back seats are just as comfortable with a good amount of leg and headroom: 36.1 and 36.7 inches, respectively. That’s tighter than the Q4 e-tron’s 38.3 inches and the Model Y and Mach-E’s 39-plus inches and an inch shorter than the ID.4. 

Infotainment: 14/15

Happily, even with new trims, the base level comes standard with the same full tech offering. The system runs on a native Google interface, Android Automotive OS, which makes for easy and surprisingly simple in-car infotainment. The best part is the navigation system which uses Google Maps and puts it in front of the driver’s 12.3-inch display. 

All apps and services come with the car for four years, then an annual subscription kicks in. Apple CarPlay is an option for reluctant iPhone users, but the Android-based system works so well you won’t miss your phone apps.

Cargo Space & Storage: 12/15

Volvo’s become adept at creating functional, yet stylish SUVs with ample cargo space for all the stuff that needs to be toted around. The C40 Recharge has 15 cubic-feet behind the back seats, but it expands to 49 cubes with the rear seats flat. It’s easy to rearrange the seats. The Audi, VW, Tesla and Ford all offer bigger cargo spaces, but the XC40 Recharge is smaller at 46.9 with the seats down.

There’s a front trunk, or “frunk,” that’s disappointingly small but it’s convenient for carrying charging cables or valuables that you don’t want in a more open hatch space. Underneath the back hold the flooring lifts for more secure storage out of sight. 

Style & Design: 9/10

The C40 Recharge is a good-looking SUV with its raked roof and sloping backside, but it also feels good. Smooth and soft surfaces abound without any leather or animal products. It feels premium but sedated with its dark charcoal interior and topography design, and not in a bland way. The subtle nods to Volvo’s Swedish roots are fun Easter eggs. 

Attractive colors like Fjord Blue enhance its geometric shape, but come at extra cost. It feels sleeker and more modern than the XC40 Recharge, which exudes more stereotypical SUV energy. The interior is thoughtfully arranged with funky compartments for groceries and even a center console removable trash can.

Is the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Worth it? Which C40 Recharge is the Best Value? 

While the C40 Recharge falls into luxury electric SUV pricing, new for this year are three price levels, dropping the starting price to just over $55,000 including destination fees. With the same powertrain across the lineup, the base Core ($56,395) is the best value. For more creature comforts found in the upper trims add the $1,100 Climate package. For all the safety and driver assistance options, plus heated seats, better audio and tech and comfort features altogether, jump to the Ultimate ($61,195). 

Made in South Carolina, the C40 Recharge is eligible as of February 2023 for federal tax credits for certain electric vehicle customers. With the $7,500 subsidy, the C40 Recharge becomes a better deal, especially with its not-great-for-road-tripping range of 226 miles. For similar pricing, the Model Y provides up to 330 miles. 

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge?

The C40 Recharge should cost a little less to insure than most of its peers. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium around $2,125, though this averages all 50 states. An Audi Q4 e-tron owner might pay up to $3,000 per year, while Ford Mustang Mach-E starts at $2,245 and the popular Tesla Model Y is $3,170. For a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.