2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Twin Pure
The Volvo C40 Recharge is the sleeker-looking sibling of the all-electric XC40 Recharge. Although Volvos are at the lower end of the EV range spectrum, these Scandinavian twins have a rather neat and simple packaging.
The C40 Recharge has a short range and efficiency advantage, perhaps due to its fastback silhouette, which may offer some aerodynamic benefits. However, the sloping roofline also reduces cargo space and affects rear visibility. Not a worthwhile trade if you think in practical terms. Under the sheet metal, the C40 is nearly identical to the XC40 Recharge, packing the same 78 kilowatt-hour battery with two electric motors that produce a healthy 402 horsepower and 486 lb-ft of torque combined. In short, these two Volvos boogie as soon as you plant your right foot.
On our test day, there was no foot planting whatsoever, and it was a beautiful 74 degrees out. The C40 easily exceeded its range estimate as we imagined, traveling 252 miles according to our GPS data (7 miles more than the trip computer indicated). That’s 26 miles farther than its EPA estimate. Compared to the last XC40 we tested, which had an EPA-estimated 208 miles at the time, the C40 managed to squeeze 12 more miles out of its battery pack in our real-world testing. However, a software update for the XC40 claims to have increased its estimated range to 223 miles. We’ll test the XC40 again as soon as we can get our hands on it.