The C40 is assembled in Volvo(s Belgium plant in Gent and is the XC40’s electric little sister. With its truncated rear, it loses in roominess what it gains in modernity. Comfortable and reasonably well finished, it now boasts an extended range thanks to a 78 kWh battery mated to a new electric motor. We got the Single Motor Extended Range for a week’s test. It is the less powerful version and coolness (who said boredom?) was on the agenda.
The Swedish brand has a strong reliability and sturdiness reputation. For many buyers, it’s a clever choice. They appreciate the relaxing atmosphere of Volvo interiors and the reassuringly soothing on-road behaviour of its cars. The C40 won’t disappoint them, this Chinese- Swedish electric car ticks all the brand boxes. Its interior has a serene, relaxing atmosphere, with reasonably-sized screens. There’s a reduced count of instruments in front of the driver : a tachometer on the left and a power/charge indicator on the right. In the centre of the dashboard, the infotainment system can display a map using Google, or it can do without it if you fancy.
I like it
Unsurprisingly, the 2023 Volvo C40 is all about comfort. The electric motor starts off briskly but smoothly and thanks to its 252 bhp and 420 Nm torque, it’s always easy to get into traffic! On a twisty road, the roll that is amplified by a driving position too high for our liking and the seats’ lack of lateral support. However, day in day out, you can take full advantage of the suspension smoothness and the excellent overall soundproofing. However, this car majors on its improved engine and its longer range. The C40 Extended Range versions claim a 361 miles range, according to the WLTP cycle. Things are a bit different in real life, though.
Quite clever
What makes the atmosphere on board the C40 so serene is probably its central screen and the natural colours of its various menus. Easy to use, they allow you to choose your media, adjust the heating or use your phone and related applications. Admittedly, the arrival of Google on board, even if it’s strange that a Chinese brand has opted for an American supplier, even if the US market remains of prime importance to Volvo, is a positive point for all fans of connectivity and digital technology. Which we are not…
I don’t like it
We expected this SUV coupe to be more involving. However, Volvo rarely offered dynamically pleasing cars in the past. While this C40 doesn’t lag behind, we nevertheless regret the sheer lack of feedback from the steering : it is too artificial and not direct enough. It lets you know quite clearly that it won’t be that involving when you let yourself go on twisty roads. Rearward visibility is not very good but if you really want to see better what’s behind, you could select the XC40, which is also available with electric power.
Why I buy it
If you’re fed up with speeding fines or sportiness on the road, buy an electric Volvo! Behind the wheel, you’ll quickly become reasonable and will enjoy its remarkable comfort as well as the quality of its Google system. The 413 liters boot is slightly smaller than the 452 liters one in the XC 40 but there’s a 31-liter compartment under the front bonnet. Just like the XC40, this C 40 has a very clever detail : there’s no start button! It starts as soon as you sit down and put the gearbox in ‘D’ or ‘R’, and switches off when you select ‘P’ and get out of the car. And last but not least, when you drive the C40, you’re helping the kingdom’s economy because it’s built right here !
Why I don’t buy it
Scandinavian minimalism may seem boring to some. It’s clinically sound but it can lack soul and charm. A bit like a house with an ultra-modern interior that just looks like a museum without clutter… We would also have expected more powertrain adjustments. The regenerative braking system makes do with just three settings: on, off or automatic. In the latter case, it anticipates traffic but brakes a little too hard. It’s the same with the dashboard screen : it could do with more displays. Finally, we managed to get a 260 miles range adjusting our driving style and taking advantage of unexpectedly mild weather to avoid turning on the aircon. That’s better but still a long way from Volvo claims. The Volvo C40 Recharge Extended Range is priced from €55,950, i.e. €1,500 more than the identical XC40. Mind you, it’s still less expensive than its rivals like the BMW iX1 (€57,950), the Mercedes EQB (€66,187) and even the Ford Mustang Mach-E (€61,700). (Translation: Dimitri Urbain)
