2022 Volvo C40 Recharge: The Brand’s All-New, All-Electric Compact Crossover

 

Highlight: All 2022 C40 Recharges will come with 250 kWh of complimentary charging.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $59,845 (Base model: $59,845)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: air bags; ABS; blind spot information system; run off road mitigation system; lane departure warning system; all-wheel drive; a 360-degree camera; a headlight high pressure cleaning system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment: 20-inch wheels; a shift by wire single speed transmission; a one pedal drive system; a fixed panoramic roof; LED lighting; co-pilot assist steering system; a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; vegan interior; a 9-inch infotainment screen; Google subscription based navigation system; a heads up display system; an automatic climate control system; power heated front seats with power lumbar and driver’s memory; automatic dimming interior mirror; heated steering wheel; heated rear seats; retractable side view mirrors; power folding rear head restraints; removable floor with grocery bag holder; and smartphone charging

Other Trims:

None

Optional Features On Test Vehicle: None

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 14-speaker, 640-watt Harmon Kardon system

Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes

USB Connectivity: Yes                                                                                              
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Battery Warranty: 8 years or 100,000 miles

Wear Coverage: 4 years or 40,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower: 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbo/402-hp

Standard Fuel Mileage:

94-city/80-highway

What’s New:  Volvo’s compact crossover is an all-new body and design for the 2022 model year. It’s the latest entry to be added to the brand’s growing portfolio.

Why: 

Stylish design 

20-inch wheels

All-wheel drive

An all-electric vehicle

A 229-mile driving range

Powerful 402-hp engine

The vehicle quietly starts and shuts off handsfree, without touching the ignition starter

Ventilated and heated front seats

Co-pilot assist autonomous driving feature

A radar activated cruise control system

Supportive seating

A forward-thinking interior layout with a touch of sophistication

Storage compartment underneath the traditional hood

A fixed panoramic roof – gives the illusion of more space

Google assistance can be utilize to operate the infotainment system

A high end audio system creates a concert sound

A high level of automated driving systems

Smartphone charging

Heated front and rear seats

A one pedal drive system saves on braking and acceleration

4 year or 40,000 miles wear coverage

But: 

There was a glitch in the electronics. One day the vehicle wouldn’t accept a level 2 charger, the rear camera and the audio system were inoperable. The C40 Recharge was definitely in need of a software update.

Impaired rear visibility due to hatchback like design

Smaller electric battery leads to an usually longer charging time

Needs to add more driving range

Limited cargo area with rear seats in use

A manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel (in a luxury brand)

Leather seats unavailable

A non all-wheel drive model will aid in lowering the cost

Verdict: The C40 Recharge is Volvo’s first vehicle that was designed specifically for electrification. The well-equipped all-electric compact crossover, with a 229-mile driving range, was outfitted with every standard feature one would expect from the Swedish brand, ranging from a co-pilot assist steering system to a one pedal driving system, combing both brakes and accelerator, to heated rear seats.

The stylish crossover is outfitted with an all-wheel drive system. In fact, we found the C40 Recharge to be so technologically advance, it’s the first vehicle we’ve driven that didn’t require us to activate the ignition starter to start and shut off the vehicle. Go figure. This is a must have we require on all EVs we review henceforward.

Moreover, the vegan free, five seater, with its high-end audio system, was powered by an electrified, no pun intended, 402- horsepower engine.

Conversely, while we know it takes an unusual amount of time to recharge an EV, we found that the C40 Recharge was longer than usual. Added to that, Volvo’s engineering team needs to expand the driving range of the C40 Recharge, making sure its on par with its competitors.

Lastly, during a 24-hour period behind the wheel of the C40, with less than a quarter of electric driving range remaining, we were unable to recharge the vehicle using several Level 2 chargers. Yes, we actually tried using four different charging stations, within in a 5-mile radius, and the C40 Recharge charging application wasn’t syncing with any of them. 

Initially we thought there was an issue with the external charging pumps and stations. Yet, we immediately realized that wasn't the case. Added to that, the audio system and the 360-degree camera, which are interconnected, stopped working too. Being that this occurred on a Saturday afternoon, we actually found ourselves in panic mode, thinking we would have to make arrangements to tow the vehicle to the nearest Volvo store Monday morning. In fact, we were too far away based on our driving range to take a road trip to the nearest Volvo dealer for service assistance. Ironically, the next morning, the vehicle operated as designed. Everything was working again. Whatever bug was in the system, it disappeared. 

Competition: 2023 Genesis GV60; 2022 Audi Q4 E-Tron; and 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB