Volvo C40 Recharge: Bold design meets electric moves
Long Term Drive Review
In the rapidly changing dynamics of the auto industry, Volvo has cemented its place as one of the few marquee brands that have fully embraced electrification with little to no hesitation. While several car makers made electrification promises that they are now backtracking on, Volvo has stuck to its guns and has been making steady progress to completely electrify its entire lineup.
Sustainability has always been a cornerstone of Volvo’s identity, so it makes sense that the brand has moved quickly to offer EV versions of its traditionally ICE models, like the XC40 Recharge, that marked its first foray into the EV segment in India. In 2023, Volvo raised the stakes with the introduction of the EV-only Volvo C40 Recharge – a car that doesn’t just follow the path paved by its sibling but carves out its own, more stylish route. We had covered the launch of Volvo C40 Recharge in Mumbai in Q3 of 2023, and you can get a quick recap here.
The C40 Recharge offers subtle yet meaningful enhancements that speak directly to a younger generation of auto enthusiasts, who seek not only a sustainable motoring solution, but also one with a distinctive, fashion-forward presence. But is it worth the marginal upgrade from the already capable and familiar XC40 Recharge?
As part of our long-term review, we’ve been vibing with Volvo’s latest offering for over a month now. It’s been our everyday drive, and here’s what we think of it.
Once you get used to an electric vehicle as your primary mode of transport, it’s hard to go back to ICE versions – except perhaps for recreational purposes. The Volvo C40 Recharge makes the switch from ICE to EV incredibly comfortable. It’s a striking departure from the traditional SUV design that the XC40 embodies. Where the XC40 stands tall and boxy, appealing to the classic SUV lover, the C40 takes a bold step towards a sleeker, more coupe-like aesthetic.
The first thing that grabs your attention is the sloping roofline. This design choice gives the C40 a dynamic, sporty silhouette that’s often associated with high-performance coupes rather than SUVs. It’s a visual cue that sets the C40 apart, suggesting that this vehicle is more about the thrill of driving and less about traditional utility. The front retains Volvo’s characteristic Thor’s Hammer LED headlights, but they seem even more at home here, complementing the streamlined design of the vehicle. The closed-off grille – an essential feature of Volvo’s electric lineup – reinforces the brand’s modern design language and adds an element of aggression to the front fascia.
The rear of the C40 Recharge is perhaps where the design takes the most dramatic turn. The tail lights, which follow the contours of the vehicle’s rear, accentuate the width and give it a planted stance. The lights themselves have a unique dashed design, creating a truly unique light signature that looks fantastic at night. The sloping roofline converges at the rear, creating a cohesive look that’s both elegant and sporty, and the double-bubble spoiler at the top combined with the boot-lid spoiler makes the C40 look like it means business. The coupe-like design isn’t just for show though – it contributes to an improved range, delivering up to 530 km on a single charge, compared to the XC40’s 505 km. This blend of form and function is a hallmark of Volvo’s approach to electric mobility, where every design element comes together to enhance the vehicle’s overall performance and efficiency. Overall, we are huge fans of what Volvo has done with the exterior design of the C40. It feels like a niche offering, standing out as something much more special than its competitors at this price point. During our time with the C40, we’ve had several people come up to us asking about the car, and the plethora of thumbs ups that we’ve received from people on the road is not something we would expect from other cars in the segment.
While the exterior design of the C40 is striking, the cabin interior isn’t much of a departure from the usual Volvo aesthetics, as it is identical to its sibling, the XC40 Recharge. While that’s certainly not a bad thing, as we’ve always loved the XC40 interiors, some upgrades to better match the sporty exterior would have been a welcome addition.
The first thing you notice is the sense of calm that pervades the cabin. Volvo has always excelled at creating interiors that feel like a refuge from the outside world, and the C40 is no exception. The design is minimalist yet luxurious, with every element carefully considered to create a harmonious space. The partially recycled suede-like upholstery on the seats, combined with the contrasting white stitching, makes occupants feel snug and welcomed. The fascinating topography-inspired backlit dashboard elements add to the ambience. The dashboard is dominated by Volvo’s tried and tested 9″ vertically oriented touchscreen with Google built-in, and although the interface is intuitive and responsive, we would’ve appreciated dedicated hard buttons for HVAC controls. As usual, material quality inside the Volvo C40 is top notch, with tactile buttons and high quality metal inserts, and subtle touches like felt-lined door pockets adding to the premium feel of the cabin. One of the interior’s standout features is the huge tinted panoramic moonroof, which stretches across the length of the cabin and floods the interior with natural light, making the space feel even more expansive. Other features include a built-in PM 2.5 filter, wireless charging, a 13-speaker 600W Harman Kardon audio system, connected car features and an automatic powered tailgate. However, as with the XC40, the C40 misses out on some key additions like wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, heated and ventilated seats, which are notable omissions at this price point.
Safety, however, is one area where the C40 makes no compromises, and the car comes equipped with Volvo’s full suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, collision avoidance, and blind-spot monitoring, among others.
The front seats are well-bolstered, offering ample support for long journeys and during hard cornering, and the driving position is slightly lower than in the XC40, reinforcing the C40’s sporty character. However, while the front seats are spacious and comfortable, the back seats, as a consequence of the gorgeous sloping roofline, offer limited headroom for taller passengers, and the sleek silhouette means seating three at the back is a bit of a squeeze. Good for city run abouts, but certainly not equipped to withstand the fatigue of a longer road trip. The sloping roofline also hampers rear visibility and reduces the overall boot space, which might limit the vehicle’s practicality for those who require more cargo room, and the fact that you have to carry a spare in the boot doesn’t help either. As a practical option, the C40 does fall a bit short compared to the XC40, but that’s the trade-off for being a scorching head-turner on the streets.
Underneath its stylish exterior, the C40 is mechanically identical to the XC40 Recharge, a car that is essentially a powerhouse of electric performance. The C40 is driven by the same dual-motor setup powered by a 78kWh battery pack that produces a combined 408 BHP and 660 Nm of torque, but the added aerodynamics allow it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. With a difference of 0.1 seconds, the C40 is slightly quicker than the XC40 Recharge, making it one of the fastest cars in its segment. Try brake-boosting the C40, and the rear hunkers down like a cheetah anticipating what’s to come, while the nose lifts as you release the brake and surge forward. Acceleration off the line is instant, smooth, and silent, delivering performance that rivals sports cars right from the get-go. What’s even more impressive is how well the car performs at higher speeds, and while some EVs lose steam as you hit triple digit speeds, the C40 continues to pull like a freight train right up until its top speed of 180 km/h.
But the C40 is not just about straight-line speed. Its handling is equally impressive, thanks to a lower centre of gravity due to the under-floor placement of the battery pack. While the difference is minimal, the C40 feels a bit more planted than its SUV sibling, with less body roll during hard cornering and a more composed and confident feel. The steering is well weighted in its firmer setting without being overly heavy for city use, and while the stiffer suspension does fidget a bit during lower speeds, it does a fantastic job of ironing out bumps at higher cruising speeds.
But if it is efficiency, rather than speed that you’re after, the C40 Recharge has an added advantage over its sibling with its slightly longer range. With a WLTP-rated range of up to 530 km, the C40 Recharge is a standout in its segment, and the fact that we managed to get around 450 kms of real-world range is a testament to the efficiency of Volvo’s EVs. This range will prove to be more than adequate for most daily commutes and long-distance journeys, and should help in alleviating range anxiety – a common concern among prospective EV buyers.
When it’s time to recharge, the C40 is equipped to handle both home and fast charging. Using a 150 kW DC fast charger, the vehicle can be charged from 10% to 80% in about 27 minutes, a figure we managed to get close to, while charging the car using a 120 kW charger. For home charging, the 11 kW onboard charger ensures that you can fully recharge the vehicle overnight, making it convenient for daily use.
While the introduction of the Volvo XC40 Recharge in 2023 filled a crucial gap in the premium Indian EV market by providing a combination of efficiency, sustainability, and performance, the C40 Recharge is a bold step forward in the same direction. It adds a dash of design and a touch of glamour to create a stylish set of wheels. It makes a bold statement that electric mobility can be stylish, exciting, and luxurious, without compromising on breathtaking performance and driving dynamics. It takes the foundation laid by the XC40 Recharge and builds upon it, offering an electric package that’s thoroughly enjoyable behind the wheel.
Sure, there are some compromises in practicality and passenger comfort which you’d have to make, in order to enjoy the stunning design and performance of the C40. But conisidering the young urban target audience, these compromises are likely to be of little concern. This is a vehicle designed for those who value style and performance above all else, and for most buyers, the trade-off between style and utility will be well worth it. At an ex-showroom price of INR 62.95 lacs, the C40 Recharge manages to offer a level of style and performance that is reminiscent of several luxury offerings in the INR 1.0 crore+ price point, and for that reason alone, the C40 should be somewhere on the top of your list if you’re in the market for a head-turning, efficient and blazing fast luxury electric vehicle.
