The Volvo C40 Recharge is an electric crossover that drivers of all ages will love. It was launched in the second quarter of 2023 - watch our quick video review here.
It is based on Volvo's latest Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, which will allow for the construction of all the Swedish firm's ICE and EV variants until 2030 and will support all of the smaller Volvo vehicles.
The C40 Recharge follows in the footsteps of the XC40 (and XC60 Electric, in other countries) as Volvo's second fully electric vehicle. Is it any good for inexperienced drivers, though?
Interior and technology
The C40 Recharge's interior is plush and cutting-edge, with an eco-conscious, minimalist Scandinavian vibe. A spacious, vertically positioned 9-inch infotainment centre and a slick digital cluster provide crucial vehicle data in an intuitive manner. Those who are environmentally conscious will appreciate the soft faux-leather materials (or a customised wool blend) that adorns the C40 Recharge's cabin.
New drivers will have no problem operating the various on-board systems, all rolled into one:
Since everything is voice activated (thanks to the built-in Google Automotive System, or GAS) you need not fiddle with the screen much at all. iPhone users have access to Apple CarPlay. A 13-speaker Harmann Kardon premium sound system, wireless smartphone charging, heated seats in the front and rear, and 360-degree surround view cameras are also part of the C40's standard equipment. - Ané Albertse, 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge First Drive Review
(How do I connect my iPhone to the Volvo C40 Recharge? Find out here)
Range and Charging
In terms of range, the C40 Recharge offers a competitive driving range of up to 380 km in real-world driving conditions, with the help of the Range Optimiser. Additionally, the C40 Recharge features fast charging capabilities, allowing for rapid recharging. You can also activate One Pedal Drive so you have the maximum amount of regenerated energy available when needed, and it truly helps to stretch your car's power a little further. It takes some getting used to, but you'll soon prefer to drive this way.
Bear in mind that even with all these power-saving modes and systems activated, your range is never going to be as far as the manufacturer quotes, i.e., still about 370–380 km.
Bamboozled by all this EV jargon? Read AutoTrader's Electric Car Glossary of Terms
Safety and Driver Assistance
The C40 Recharge is equipped with a host of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), making it a fortress of state-of-the-art safety. Standard features include Volvo's excellent semi-autonomous Pilot Assist, providing peace of mind for new drivers and their passengers. You hardly need to even drive the car—most of it is taken care of! In this writer's opinion, Pilot Assist is the benchmark in semi-autonomous driving technology. These systems use cameras and radar that read lane markings and road signs, but Volvo's is the user-friendliest and most effective system, in this writer's opinion.
Top safety features in the C40
Performance
The C40's power figures are highly impressive at 300 kW and 660 Nm, and acceleration is instant: the obligatory 0-100 km/h sprint is done and dusted in a hot 4.6 seconds. Could this be a bit much for new drivers? Possibly, but given the price you pay in energy units, you'll soon realise that sedate driving is the way to go in an EV, and you'll be less prone to testing the C40's speed limits once you see how your range drops when you do. (You might be tempted to give hot hatches a run for their money now and again, though, because you'll win in most cases.)
Verdict
An EV like the C40 Recharge makes a lot of sense if you have a wall box at home (that Volvo will supply) and you're off the grid. However, the high price of R1 324 000 is out of reach of most new drivers, but for the lucky few who have thick wallets and the infrastructure at home to enable carefree EV ownership, the C40 is a great first car.
The purchase price furthermore includes the Volvo Care package, which comprises a five-year maintenance plan and warranty (with the battery pack covered for eight years or 160 000 km), a home charging wall box and a public charging cable. - Volvo SA.
Cheaper alternatives?
Yes, we get it that new drivers hardly have the cash for a car, let alone a new EV, but if you're reading this article, it probably means you have a bit more to spend than your average first-car buyer.
To give you an idea of competitor pricing , BMW's iX1 is priced from R 1 205 000, and the BMW iX3M Sport from R 1 361 400.
If you must have a Volvo, instead of the C40 Recharge, you can always look into a Volvo XC40 P6 Recharge (click for our review, currently known as the XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus) which is a smidge more affordable at R1 108 000 new.
#ElectricCarChallenge: Jaguar I-PACE Black battery test
The fully electric 2023 GWM ORA 03 was released earlier this year, with pricing starting at R686,950, which is way more affordable. Watch our video review here.
What about used EVs?
You can certainly look into pre-loved BMW i3 models from about R350 000 here.
Keep in mind that the battery is small, and the range would be about 130–150 km on a full charge in the REx (Range Extender model). This variant has a small petrol engine (allowing for another 140 km) as a backup if I run out of electric juice. And in winter, the range is always a little less. Read our BMW i3 REX Review, here.
A MINI Hatch Cooper SE can be had for about R480,000, but its range isn't much—just over about 200 km on a full charge. If you live and work in the city, it should be fine.
The Volvo XC40 P6 Recharge is another worthwhile used option, but preloved models are still quite pricey, starting from around R870,000.
As for used Mercedes-EQ models, pricing currently starts at just under R1.2 million for the EQA. It's best to wait a bit for pricing to come down.
ENDS
