The industry’s shift toward electric vehicle’s is now upon us. We’ve been hearing about it for over a decade, and seen a few fits and starts in the past few years. But now it’s happening, with the all-new 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge offering a preview of what nearly every traditional automaker will be releasing in the next 12 months. The C40 Recharge uses the same drivetrain as Volvo’s XC40, so it’s not an entirely all-new vehicle. But it is Volvo’s first car engineered as an EV from the very first computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) briefs.
That intent is clearly reflected in the C40’s shape, which offers a lower roof and a far more aggressive roof slope leading to a smaller rear window. That’s great for aerodynamics, but does compromise rear visibility. The C40’s unique exterior elements continue with standard 20-inch wheels, black roof pillars leading to a fixed-glass roof panel, a solid grille featuring a large “Volvo” badge, and thin LED taillights that snake up and around the hatch and roof pillar.
Underneath the C40’s sweeping body panels sits Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA). This is the same platform utilized for the XC40, and it will undoubtedly serve as the foundation in future models. For the C40 it features a new front structure to compensate for the removal of the XC40’s engine, along with a reinforced protective shell around the battery (below the passenger compartment) to protect both it and occupants during impact.
The battery, a 78 kWh unit, sends power to dual motors, imbuing the C40 Recharge with all-wheel drive, 402 peak horsepower and 486 lb-ft of torque. The instant torque from those motors flings the C40 from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, though utilizing the vehicle in such a way will undoubtedly reduce its EPA-certified range of 226 miles. We only punched the throttle once, on a freeway on ramp, and can confirm the C40 is plenty quick. It also offers one-pedal driving, if you want to recapture as much of that forward momentum as possible when slowing down (you can disable this if you prefer to slow down in a traditional manner using the brake pedal).
The Volvo C40’s driving traits are what we’ve come to expect from a pure EV. Beyond the instant, neck-straining torque, the small crossover offers precise (if a tad non-communicative) steering, capable (if a tad disconnected) brake feel, and confident (if a tad heavy) handling dynamics. It’s not supposed to feel like a sports car, but between its rapid acceleration and planted feel around corners (the low-mounted battery pack keeps it from feeling at all “tippy”), the C40 could be described as sporty.
Even more compelling than its style or driving dynamics was the experience of sitting in and interacting with the C40. Volvo has fully incorporated the Google/Android operating system in not just the C40 but across its entire model line. This means you can sign into your Google account and easily access everything from Google Assistant and email to Google Maps to Google Play. These features all work as well in the C40 as they do on your phone or computer, including the best voice recognition you’ll find inside a car. Say “Hey Google” and input an address, cue up a Spotify play list, or just ask it a question.
For instance, “Hey Google, I’m hungry for Chinese food” will pull up a map with a list of local restaurants. The promise of voice control has been around for over a decade, and never failed to disappoint. But with this system, it finally works in a way that actually makes controlling the vehicle better, not worse, than using your hands while risking driver distraction. If you do use your hands, the central 9-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital driver’s display offer clear and intuitive control interfaces, with easily the best integration of Google Maps we’ve ever seen in a gauge cluster.
There’s also a standard 600-watt, 13-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and full Apple CarPlay integration coming shortly via the C40’s over-the-air (OTA) update system. Ironically, Android Auto is not offered in the C40, and while Google Play means access to iHeart Radio, Spotify and a multitude of additional apps, Google voice can't control Sirius XM radio (which also comes standard on the C40). But Google Maps does offer full information on electric vehicle charging options and can incorporate scheduled stops based on the state of the battery, including real-time updates on whether there’s an open charging port at a given stop. The C40 Recharge can utilize DC fast chargers to bring the battery from 0% to 80% in 40 minutes.
The 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge has a starting price of $59,445, and because everything comes standard there’s really only one option for buyers to pick — color (and we really liked the “Fjord Blue” of our test car, inspired by the water inlets on the Scandinavian west coast). That price includes a complete suite of driver assistance technology (smart cruise control, lane-keeping assist, etc.), wireless phone charging, unlimited data transfer, a leather-free interior, and some of the most comfortable seats we’ve experienced. Of course the C40 qualifies for the $7,500 electric vehicle federal tax credit, and likely qualifies for any state credits where you live (for instance, another $2,500 in California).
A net price around $50,000 strikes us as a solid value, given the Volvo C40 Recharge’s breath of performance, safety, luxury and advanced technology. But it’s still more than a comparable internal combustion vehicle would cost, which is the next hurdle EVs have to clear before they can truly become mainstream.
