Car Review: Volvo C40 Recharge, Swedish Spirit And More

EAST HADDAM, CT – The company claims that the Volvo C40 Recharge provides “Responsible Pleasure.” The truth is that while it often does, it sometimes doesn’t.

The C40 is the smallest Volvo crossover, while the Recharge model is all electric. With ever-conscientious Swedish spirit, Volvo very much markets its environmentally-friendly advantage “with zero tailpipe emissions.” 

In addition, the Single Motor Ultimate example that I drove also prides itself on the fact that the interior is entirely leather-free. So, no animal hides are employed inside. 

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Obviously, it’s a pledged approach in keeping with today’s trying times. But understanding the Swedish Volvo Recharge pedigree requires a bit of a philosophical resync. Now under the auspices of Asia’s Zhejiang Geely Holdings, 50 percent of the C40’s content comes from China. No doubt that means most of the electronics. And it’s assembled in Ghent, Belgium.

Once you come to grips with that, you then have to figure out how to start it. With no apparent ignition source per se, you unconventionally put your foot on the brake and engage the gearshift lever into Drive or Reverse to turn it on. It takes a bit of getting used to. You can also remotely start the car via a Volvo App. 

To shut the C40 Recharge off, you put it in Park and open the door. Or you can do this: “Go to Settings on the center screen, select Controls, scroll down to and tap Power Off Vehicle.” 

Truth be told, I found both approaches somewhat disconcerting, which I assume led to the inevitable engineering vs. marketing discussion during its development: “Just because we can do it, does it really mean we should?” 

My answer would have been “No.”

Certainly, the petite Volvo is pleasant enough to live with. Those leather-free seats are instead covered with a plush “tailored wool blend” with lower cushion extensions. I love both. A 12.3-inch, integrated center Digital Driver Display is quite comprehensive, though perhaps too much for my liking. 

As is typically Volvo, electronic touchscreen control is extensive. There are no old, intuitive buttons or switches. On the hipster flip-side, though, peripheral fractured-texture interior trim panels light up at night. Cool!

An air purification system is included for a clean, healthy cabin environment. Driver assistance technology ensures that safe driving distances are maintained to the front and sides. There’s also a one-pedal drive arrangement for combined acceleration and regenerative braking control. Google Assistant allows you to interface with the C40 through voice command. I’m told it can even crack jokes. 

And while the Volvo is doing all that, you can listen in delight to a Harman Kardon premium sound system as the car is also receiving automatic over-the-air software updates. Unbeknownst to you.

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With rear electric motor drive, 248 horsepower is confidently (0-60 mph, 6.9 seconds) put to the pavement through 20-inch, 45-series cross section tires which helps make the portly (4,763 lb.) C40 a bit more dynamic along Connecticut’s two-lane, twisty roads. That’s the good news. 

The bad news is that with all that mass, short wheelbase and low, cross section rubber, there’s some un-Volvo-like harshness transmitted into the cockpit over broken pavement. There’s plenty of that around here.

Somewhat eerily, there’s no regenerative braking under normal operating conditions when you take your foot off the accelerator. The C40 essentially freewheels and coasts without decelerating. Surprise! And it can’t be adjusted like many other EV regen braking systems can.

The company claims an operating range of almost 300 miles and a fast-charging time of as little as 28 minutes from 10 to 80 percent. Spoiler alert: it then takes another hour to go from 80 to 100 percent. Ask me how I know…

Styling-wise, the compact Volvo C40 is distinctive with a svelte, coupe-like Scandinavian profile. Up front, the signature “Thor Hammer” headlights are now powered by adaptive pixel technology to provide optimum illumination without dazzling oncoming traffic. 

Unfortunately, the chiseled, fastback aesthetic brings some outward visibility challenges and even blind spots with it, due to a high, side beltline and small rear window; particularly with the back seat head restraints in place. 

Rear hatch luggage carrying capacity and aft end head room are further compromised in favor of the fast (sloping) rear roof line on the C40. There is a little extra storage space beneath the trunk floor and a miniscule front hood trunk (frunk) for a charging cable.

The fixed panoramic glass roof doesn’t include a sunshade, but my sources say that an accessory one is in the works. By the way, a slightly more traditional XC40 Recharge version is available with a taller, more utilitarian roofline for those who might prefer to trade some style for substance. 

At $60,095, the Volvo C40 Recharge Ultimate is meant for a select few with environmental sensitivity and penchant for cutting edge technology. Not to mention a willingness to accept a somewhat unorthodox Swede that’s not all-Swedish.

(Photos courtesy of Volvo unless otherwise noted.)