Highway Take a look at: 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Twin AWD Final
The First Volvo Compact SUV Coupe EV
The 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge was the primary electric-only and the smallest SUV from Volvo, falling in-line with the EX90 and XC40 Recharge. Slotting just under the C40 Recharge would be the simply introduced EX30, compact SUV EV that arrives someday in 2025. Having 4 all-electric SUVs will give loyal Volvo house owners a large selection of measurement, efficiency and worth, but additionally be attractive for these first-timers trying to have a Volvo of their storage.
Energy and Vary
The 2023 C40 Recharge Twin AWD has twin 150 kW electrical motors producing a complete of 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. The shift-by-wire single velocity transmission drives all 4 wheels 0-60 miles per hour in about 4.3 seconds. This felt fast and made freeway merging a breeze.
The EPA charges the C40 Recharge Twin AWD at 226 all-electric miles (AER) with an effectivity of 39 kWh per 100 miles. We took supply with 220 AER and after 211 miles of mixture freeway and freeway driving we had 20 miles left on the sprint vary read-out. Within the 310 complete miles we drove via Southern California we averaged 30.6 kWh per 100 miles. One other method to have a look at the effectivity for this automobile is 3.6 miles per kWh of battery. Each measurements are greatest used to check EVs because the precise miles you’re going to get from a kWh of battery varies enormously based mostly on the velocity you’re touring, the temperature and the type of driving.
Battery and Charging
The 78 kWh, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery is charged via an 11.0 kW onboard charger. These are the estimated occasions for the three charging speeds.
120V (Stage 1) 22 hours (0-100%)
240V (Stage 2) 8 hours (0-100%)
DC Quick Charging 37 minutes at 150 kW (10-80%)
Chilly climate can have an effect on the charging time and driving vary. The C40 Recharge is obtainable with a warmth pump that warms the inside with out drawing on the battery in addition to a battery conditioner that warms the battery to a temperature that can take a sooner and better cost.
New house owners of a 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge obtain 250 kWh of complimentary DC quick charging with the Electrify America community.
Out on the Highway
When slowing, regenerative brakingconverts kinetic vitality into electrical vitality and shops it within the battery. The extent of regeneration could be set on the touchscreen as is the One Pedal Driving. This mix resulted in sturdy recharging and a enjoyable technique to drive with restricted touching of the brake pedal.
Having 300 miles behind the wheel allowed us to settle in and get a real really feel for the C40 Recharge. There isn’t a begin button, because it turns itself on when coming into the cockpit with the important thing. All you do is press the brake pedal, shift into the specified gear, and off you go. The seats are comfy for lengthy journeys and maintain the driving force tight when cornering. The digital energy steering is agile and has sufficient heft to offer for participating dealing with of the 4,780-pound SUV.
With easy, easy and even energy, augmented by fast throttle response, the C40 was straightforward to drive, aided by a 52/48-percent entrance/rear weight distribution. The suspension had MacPherson struts up entrance and a multi-link rear, with each having stabilizer bars. The low middle of gravity with the batteries positioned under the ground, helped the C40 Recharge deal with flat round corners. The general experience was comfy, besides on uneven surfaces the place there was a uneven really feel at occasions.
The twin electrical motors, one on every axle, drive all 4 wheels which can be shod with235/45 Pirelli Scorpion Zero all-season tires mounted on 20-inch V-spoke black diamond-cut alloy wheels. We didn’t push the tires too laborious on tight corners, however their freeway experience was easy, albeit a bit noisy. Stopping was good with the four-wheel discs and anti-lock braking.
Exterior: Acquainted Volvo Really feel
The C40 Recharge has a five-door fastback design, generally referred to as a SUV coupe. The distinction between the C40 Recharge and the XC40 Recharge is the roof on the previous rakes in direction of the rear hatch. There’s a bit much less head room when coming into the rear seats and a bit much less cargo area within the far again. Each are negligible between the 2 fashions, so go along with the one which catches your eye.
The clear design is void of cladding, with the one bright-work to be discovered on the “C40” and “VOLVO” badging. There are not any design gimmicks and nothing radical happening, which is true Volvo DNA. It’s tasteful and sensible with eight exterior colours of Black Stone, Onyx Black, Fusion Crimson, Thunder Gray, Silver Daybreak, Sage Inexperienced, Crystal White and Fjord Blue Metallic, which was the colour C40 Recharge we drove.
The lively bending pixel LED head lights have excessive beam help, with LED lighting design persevering with to the sidelights, flip indicators, and the brake lights. The distinctive form makes an attention-grabbing lighting signature, wrapping from the ability carry gate to the facet panel and up onto the C pillar. The carry gate has a small spoiler with two air stream vents coming off the roof that disperse water from the rear window, changing a wiper.
Inside: Scandinavian Clear
The 100% leather-free inside has no animal-derived merchandise in any of the supplies or surfaces. The Microtech artificial upholstery, which is totally recyclable, is lighter, extra sturdy and simpler to wash than leather-based. The entrance passengers get energy changes, together with lumbar and heated seats. The rear outbound passengers additionally get warmth. The rear seat headrests are energy folding as is the rear seat.
Entry to the entrance seats was good, whereas the tallest must duck only a bit moving into the rear seats because of the fastback roof design. The rear seat comfortably accommodates two adults that sit a bit increased than the entrance occupants to accommodate the batteries positioned beneath the seat.
Behind the rear 60/40 folding seat, the 14.6 cubic ft of cargo area will increase to 48.7 cubic ft when the seats are folded-down. With out an engine up entrance there’s a entrance trunk, or frunk, for stashing small gadgets, such because the charging cable.
The 12.3-inch digital driver show could be configured via buttons on the steering wheel or within the settings via the touchscreen. The huge middle console, with a small underside storage cubby, intersects the sprint on the 9-inch shade touchscreen. This display is the place the guts of the C40 recharge lives: the Google Android Automotive working system with navigation, apps and Google Assistant. Please observe this isn’t Android Auto. The motive force can handle operations through the use of the touchscreen or via voice instructions, which is an efficient factor as aside from the few controls on the steering wheel, there are not any buttons or knobs on the sprint.
The modern Scandinavian design theme thrives within the cockpit. The C40 Recharge Final comes with the 13-speaker, 12-channel, 600-watt Harmon Kardon premium sound system with Spotify, YouTube Music, Google Play and Apple Music. Apple CarPlay isn’t acknowledged. USB-C ports (two entrance and rear), Bluetooth and SiriusXM are included, however AM radio shouldn’t be accessible. The apply of calling out every part to the Google assistant takes some apply, however labored properly.
Comfort options embody a 360-degree digicam, panoramic fastened glass roof, 2-zone automated local weather management with a cabin filtration system, rain sensing windshield wipers, alarm, keyless entry, digital key, Homelink, inductive cellphone charging, high-pressure headlight washers, heated steering wheel, adjustable inside illumination and a panoramic glass roof.
Security
The 2023 C40 Recharge has not been security rated by the NHTSA, Nationwide Freeway Site visitors and Security Administration, however has obtained a Prime Security Choose+ security ranking from the IIHS, the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security.
Volvo has constructed its status on security so commonplace and accessible superior driver help programs (ADAS), a few of which are available packages, embody, Pilot Help, entrance, facet, curtain and knee airbags, ABS braking, traction management, entrance and rear parking help, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise management, blind spot warning with steering wheel help, cross site visitors alert, and high and low velocity collision mitigation with automated braking.
Pricing
The 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge is available in three trims, with these costs together with the necessary $1,095 vacation spot cost. Converse along with your vendor about any accessible federal or state tax credit that would scale back the value you pay, and examine along with your state concerning the C40 Recharge qualifying to make use of the HOV lane.
Core $56,395
Plus $57,945
Final $61,195
Guarantee
Fundamental – 4 years/50,000 miles
Battery – Eight years/100,000 miles
Roadside Help – 5 years/Limitless miles
Corrosion Safety – 12 years/Limitless miles
Scheduled Upkeep – 5 years/62,000 miles
Observations: 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Twin AWD Final
Volvo has made a dedication by 2030 to solely promote electrical automobiles, and 10 years later to be a carbon impartial firm. With three EVs presently on sale in America—the EX90, XC40 and C40, in 2025 joined by the EX30—Volvo is properly on the best way to reaching its environmental objectives.
Consumers will thought-about the Volvo C40 Recharge with the Kia EV6 GT, Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Kona EV, Chevrolet Bolt EUV, and the Tesla Mannequin 3. All are worthy opponents, but additionally have an extended driving vary. The 226 miles of all-electric driving vary for the C40 Recharge will work completely properly for commuters, particularly those that cost at residence each evening, and people taking comparatively close-to-home journeys. Venturing out additional, like Clear Fleet Report did not too long ago on 1,796-mile street journey, could be a problem.
If the C40 Recharge, inbuilt Ghent, Belgium, is any indication of what’s to come back, Volvo is off to a stable begin with its plans to by no means put one other drop of gasoline in any of its fashions starting in 2030.
Make sure that to opt-in to the Clear Fleet Report publication (high proper of web page) to be notified of all information tales and automobile critiques.
Story and pictures by John Faulkner.
The Competitors:
Highway Take a look at: Kia EV6 GT
Highway Take a look at: Genesis G60 EV
Highway Take a look at: Kia Niro EV
Highway Take a look at: Kona EV
Highway Take a look at: Chevrolet Bolt EUV
Flash Drive: Tesla Mannequin 3
Disclosure:
Clear Fleet Report is loaned free check automobiles from automakers to judge, sometimes for every week at a time. Our street checks are based mostly on this one-week drive of a brand new automobile. Due to this we don’t tackle points similar to long-term reliability or complete price of possession. As well as, we are sometimes invited to producer occasions highlighting new automobiles or expertise. As a part of these occasions we could also be supplied free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our greatest to current our unvarnished evaluations of automobiles and information irrespective of those inducements.
Our focus is on automobiles that supply the perfect gasoline economic system of their class, which leads us to emphasise electrical vehicles, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We additionally characteristic these environment friendly gas-powered automobiles which can be among the many high mpg automobiles of their class. As well as, we goal to supply critiques and information on superior expertise and the choice gasoline automobile market. We welcome any suggestions from automobile house owners and are devoted to offering a discussion board for various viewpoints. Please tell us your views at [email protected].