Volvo C40 Recharge: International reviews

The first Volvo to be created purely as an electric vehicle will be launched in Australia in the second half of 2022.

Ahead of the C40 Recharge’s arrival, the country’s leading motoring outlets have had the opportunity to drive the car in Belgium.

Sampling a Twin Motor all-wheel-drive variant with a 78kWh battery, all reviewers were prompted to remark on the C40 Recharge’s performance derived from a pair of electric motors producing a combined 300kW and 660Nm.

“… Both off the line and on the move the levels of urge available everywhere is quite astonishing,” wrote John Mahoney for Carsales. “Even well above highway speeds, acceleration feels unrelenting. This makes for a small SUV that is never left wanting in the performance department both in urban environments and on open country roads.”

Wheels magazine’s Dan Gardner said: “Poke the pair of inverters for their full combined might and the C40 bolts like someone stamped on its charge cable. Rolling acceleration feels almost more aggressive than off-the-mark with a cleverly calibrated throttle that damps big inputs at low speed for smoother driving and lively responsiveness when up and moving.”

Damien Read of CarExpert put the performance into a real-world context.

“As impressive as its standing start is, the real fun comes from its overtaking punch from 50km/h to 100km/h and beyond.

“Merging onto a motorway entices challenges with much bigger, brawnier cars and they lost every time. It gives you supercar-like confidence to merge into the outside lane quickly and silently place a football field between yourself and those that were around you a few seconds earlier.’

Drive.com.au added compliments about the C40’s driving range and charging capability.

“Range is a respectable 444km under the European WLTP methodology, and the C40 Recharge Twin Pro’s underfloor battery pack supports fast charging at speeds of up to 150kW.”

The C40 Recharge introduces another first: it is the first Volvo to feature a completely leather-free cabin.

Experts agreed there was no compromise on quality as a result.

Drive.com.au said “the microfibre and pleather seats felt supportive and upmarket. My test car was showing off the indigo fabric for carpeting and door cards which looks (and feels) like faded denim”.

“A special mention must also go to the excellent front seats,” wrote Carsales.

CarExpert noted the C40 Recharge was “well appointed”.

“It uses recycled plastic on the floor and doors, while naturally renewable wool fibres and a combination of suede made of recycled plastic and Microtech material is also used.”

The C40 Recharge joins the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric SUV as a Volvo equipped with the company’s latest-generation infotainment system.

Co-developed with Google*, the Android operating system provides owners with integrated Google apps and services including Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store.

“… Volvo’s latest information and entertainment system … takes a big step forward,” said Wheels. “…Third-party applications are [also] supported along with over-the-air updates. But the icing is an e-sim permanently embedded in the system offering internet access and all the features without having to pair a phone.

“Functionally, the result is a triumph with a powerful suite of applications and reliable operation…”

Mike Duff for Drive.com.au agreed.

“…[The] Google-based infotainment system is a worthwhile upgrade [over the former interface], using a high-resolution portrait-orientated 9-inch touchscreen and boasting impressively snappy responses. It looks good and worked cleanly when delivering either entertainment or guidance functions.”

News.com.au wrote: “Volvo’s portrait-oriented central touchscreen is home to one of the easiest to use infotainment systems around.”

Australian-market specifications for the Volvo C40 Recharge will be released later in 2022.

*Google, Google Play and Google Maps are trademarks of Google LLC.*