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2025 GMC Acadia Review2023 Volvo C40 Recharge: Charming, but a bit Underwhelming
The 2023 C40 Recharge is Volvo's EV crossover. Is it a top pick in this emerging market? We look at the interior, cargo space, and more to find the answer.The 2023 C40 Recharge is Volvo’s EV crossover. Is it a top pick in this emerging market? We look at the interior, cargo space, and more to find the answer.
What’s New for the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge?
The 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge gets a host of improvements starting with two new trims. Core and Plus join the Ultimate from last year. The new base price of the C40 Recharge is $56,395. On top of that, Volvo is offering new wheel options, new interior options, and discontinuing its two-tone black roof.
2023 Volvo C40 Recharge – media.volvocars.com | Shop 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Great power
Upscale interior
Good technology
Limited space
Less range than rivals
Slower charging too
We want a C40 Polestar
2023 Volvo Specs
- 402 horsepower from base engine
- 487 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 15 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 49 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Google Built-In
- Standard oncoming lane mitigation
- 4 years of free maintenance
2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Powertrain
Every 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge, regardless of trim or options, is powered by a pair of motors, one on each axle, for a total of 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. That combo makes this crossover downright quick with a 0-60 time of just under 4.5-seconds. It has no trouble at higher speeds either and passing on the highway is a breeze.
Steering is light but communicative falling short of sportier rivals like the Tesla Model Y or the Mustang Mach-E. Nevertheless, we really like the way this car moves about the world until you really push it hard. In tight bends at higher speeds, the chassis is overcome by weight and the C40 Recharge behaves much like the vast majority of crossovers.
Nevertheless, the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge is quiet, composed, and easy to use in day-to-day driving situations that most of us face. We wish it were a little bit sharper, something akin to the Polestar 2, but who knows? Maybe Volvo will give us a blend of the two in the future.
2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Battery Range & MPGe
According to the EPA, the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge will get up to 94 MPGe in the city and 80 on the highway. That translates into a maximum estimated range of 226 miles on a single charge. That’s more than enough for most daily commutes but it falls far short of rival Tesla and its offerings.
The C40 Recharge doesn’t recharge nearly as fast as competitors like the Kia EV6 or the Ford Mustang Mach-E. It’s worth noting that Volvo offers 250 kW of DC Fast Charging at Electrify America stations and a full year after that of discounted rates at Electrify America charging stations.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
If there’s a real downside to the C40 Recharge it has to be with regard to overall space. Being a slimmed-down coupe version of a crossover will do that though and we think this car makes the most of what it has.
The front and rear seats are spacious enough for four average-sized adults to be comfortable. We also like the upright seating position in the front chairs. Nice backlit panels add a touch of class to the C40 Recharge but we’d love to see them get even brighter.
Some materials don’t feel especially high-end but the package is above average overall. Cargo space is very limited but when available, those rear seats fold nearly flat for twice the storage. Still, the Tesla Model Y and the XC40 Recharge offer more for those that really need it.
Entertainment & Technology
Across the board we like the technology package in the C40 Recharge. It starts out with a 9-inch vertically oriented infotainment system with Google Built-In, a unique operating system that works fast and mostly without flaw. It completely integrates other Google services like maps, assistant, and the Play store.
Apple CarPlay is also standard so everybody wins. On top of that, a full-digital 12.3-inch gauge cluster makes every trip easier on the driver with bright crisp graphics and enough configurability to make just about anyone happy. Audiophiles will like the standard 8-speaker sound system in the C40 Recharge but they’ll love the 13-speaker Harman Kardon package even more.
Safety Features
The 2023 C40 Recharge has yet to be scored by the IIHS or NHTSA. Despite that, we can tell you that it was a Top Safety Pick+ last year for the IIHS. Additionally, the C40 Recharge comes with blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and road sign monitoring regardless of which trim one buys.
For shoppers who want a 360-degree camera, complete parking sensor coverage, adaptive cruise control, or Volvo’s Pilot assist will have to add those features by selecting the Plus or Ultimate trim.
2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Trims & Pricing
Core – $56,395
The base C40 Recharge comes with dual-zone automatic climate control, 19-inch wheels, a 12-inch gauge cluster, a 9-inch infotainment system, cruise control, tinted rear windows, keyless entry, a power tailgate, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, Apple CarPlay, Google Built-In, SiriusXM, lane-keep assist, oncoming lane mitigation, and road sign recognition.
Plus – $57,946
The Plus trim adds fog lights, a power-adjustable passenger seat, a 360-degree camera system, and power-folding rear head restraints.
Ultimate – $61,195
The Ultimate trim gets adaptive cruise control, pilot assist, headlight cleaners, a heated steering wheel, a heat pump for colder climates, heated rear seats, a Harman Kardon sound system, and 20-inch wheels.
Warranties
Volvo offers a comprehensive warranty package including a four-year or 50,000-mile limited warranty. On top of that, every C40 Recharge gets four years or 40,000 miles of complimentary factory-scheduled maintenance. That includes brake rotors and pads as needed along with one pair of windshield wipers per year. Battery components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.
What we think
2023 Volvo C40 Recharge – media.volvocars.com | Shop 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge on Carsforsale.com
The 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge is a bit pricey on paper. It doesn’t have the range, the charging capability, or the big brand name panache as some of our favorite electric cars in 2022. Nevertheless, it offers a subtle way to get into an EV without feeling like one is giving up comfort, style, or quality. It’s not perfect but it’s very charming.
