The all-electric 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge small luxury SUV adds an extra degree of style with its sloping roofline. Prices start at $55,300.<\/p>\n
Urbanites seeking high-class, zero-emissions personal transport that doesn\u2019t have a whiff of \u201cschool run\u201d or \u201csoccer mom\u201d about it should pay serious attention to the Volvo This is not just an electric version of another Volvo. It\u2019s an individual model in the company\u2019s portfolio. But it still embodies traditional Volvo values, such as safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety made it a Top Safety Pick+ and it earned a maximum overall score of five stars in crash tests performed by a European agency.<\/p>\n For regular commutes where charging is easy, the C40 Recharge\u2019s maximum range of 226 miles might be perfectly adequate.<\/p>\n Last year\u2019s model was sold online only. This year, buyers can still go to the Volvo retail site and choose things like colors, wheels, and options, but the final pricing and delivery is handled by a dealer.<\/p>\n You might like:<\/strong> The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq luxury electric SUV is smooth, stylish and responsive with great range\u2014at a nice price<\/p>\n The 2023 C40 Recharge SUV, in Core trim, starts with a Manufacturer\u2019s Suggested Retail Price of $55,300, plus a destination charge. Next comes the Plus trim at $56,850, followed by the C40 Recharge Ultimate at $60.1K.<\/p>\n There\u2019s some financial cushioning available in the form of a federal tax credit of up to $7,500. Some states also offer incentives, like $2,000 from the California Clean Vehicle Rebate program.<\/p>\n Free DC fast charging of 250 kilowatt-hours over three years, using the Electrify America network, is also part of the overall package.<\/p>\n The all-electric, fastback, luxury small SUV niche isn\u2019t populated solely by the C40 Recharge. The\u00a0Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback\u00a0is about $53K and has a range of 241 miles. A comparable\u00a0Polestar 2 The\u00a0Genesis GV60\u00a0is relatively pricey, at $59K, but comes with a lot of standard equipment while running for 248 miles on a single charge. Even pricier at $71K is the\u00a0Jaguar I-Pace, whose range is 234 miles. The\u00a0Tesla Before buying a new 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge, check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area paid for theirs. Resale values are still being calculated, but electric vehicles tend to retain their worth quite well.<\/p>\n Be sure to read:<\/strong> Before buying an EV, consider these hidden costs of ownership<\/p>\n Sit in, drive off. A sensor recognizes when someone is in the driver\u2019s seat and another detects the key\u2019s presence. So it\u2019s just a question of selecting D (or R), checking the surroundings, and embarking on the journey.<\/p>\n If the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge electric SUV had its way, a lot of trips wouldn\u2019t take long at all. It can sprint from standstill to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, as a considerable 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque is applied to the ground through a standard all-wheel-drive system. And the drivetrain tackles inclines like they\u2019re flat roads.<\/p>\n Also see: <\/strong>The 2023 Kia EV6 vs. the Volvo XC40 Recharge: Which one is better?<\/p>\n No combustion engine means no induction snort or exhaust noise. Occupants in a C40 Recharge SUV might just catch some wind whisper and a subdued road rumble occasionally.<\/p>\n Most of the time, the ride quality is smooth. But anything bigger than the standard 19-inch alloy wheels means that the correspondingly lower-profile tires can\u2019t absorb all the imperfections of a particularly rough road.<\/p>\n As well as glorious, instantaneous torque, most electric vehicles have the extra party trick of one-pedal driving. When the brake energy regeneration function is at its strongest setting, slowing down and speeding up is performed solely with the accelerator pedal. Even coming to a complete stop doesn\u2019t have to mean touching the brake pedal, unless there\u2019s some urgency required. For a driver new to electric vehicles, this may seem daunting. But it\u2019s surprising how easy it can be and how quickly it becomes part of the driving habit.<\/p>\n The maximum range of 226 miles on a single charge is one of the few downsides, but of particular significance since the C40 Recharge is an all-electric SUV. There are plenty of rivals that can do better, although Volvo has stated that future over-the-air updates may improve matters.<\/p>\n Read<\/strong>: EVs may lose up to 31% of range in extreme heat, report says<\/p>\n An emphasis on style doesn\u2019t stop the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge electric SUV from having plenty of storage areas and super-comfortable front seats (heated, by the way). Or having a reasonable amount of rear passenger space. Rear legroom is the same as its XC40 counterpart: a generous 36.1 inches.<\/p>\n Rear headroom takes a 1.6-inch hit, at 36.7 inches. And the luggage area of 14.6 cubic feet is smaller by just over a cubic foot. A small stowage space under the hood in front is fine for accommodating the charging cable.<\/p>\n A standard panoramic fixed moonroof keeps things airy, despite the fastback styling, although rear three-quarter vision is hindered by the rear pillars and the small back window. It\u2019s a good thing that blind-spot monitoring is standard across the lineup. It would be an even better thing if Volvo also supplied a shade for the moonroof, although it does have a protective UV coating.<\/p>\n Upholstery at the Core level is made from recycled plastic and fashioned into a simulated leather. It still manages to look and feel classy enough for a luxury SUV. Plus models have a simulated suede. And the Ultimate offers a durable wool fabric. The C40 Recharge doesn\u2019t come with any real leather.<\/p>\n The distinguishing feature of the 2023 C40 Recharge is its sloping roof. Its relationship with the Volvo XC40 Recharge is like that between the BMW X3 and X4 or the Audi Q4 e-tron and the Q4 e-tron Sportback. So Volvo provides the choice between a squarer XC40 or this sleeker C40.<\/p>\n There is no grille, just a panel the same color as the body. Black is the standard color. Other finishes \u2014 red, blue, gray, silver and white \u2014 are premium paints costing $695.<\/p>\n Plus<\/strong>: 18 new EVs to watch for in 2024<\/p>\n 1. Google\/Android infotainment system<\/strong> 2. Digital driver information display<\/strong> 3. Navigation system<\/strong> 4. Hands-free liftgate operation<\/strong> 5. Pilot Assist<\/strong>
\n VLVLY,
\n
\n C40 Recharge. It packs a powerful punch along with a distinct visual impact. And comes with a vegan-friendly interior.<\/p>\n2023 Volvo C40 Recharge pricing<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n PSNY,
\n
\n \u00a0with all-wheel drive begins at around $53K, with a 260-mile range.<\/p>\n
\n TSLA,
\n
\n Model Y\u00a0is roughly $66K, with a range of 318 miles, but it\u2019s the only one listed here that\u2019s ineligible for the federal tax credit and the California rebate.<\/p>\nDriving the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Interior comfort<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Exterior styling<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Favorite features<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Controlled with a 9-inch high-definition touchscreen or through natural voice commands (just say \u201cHey, Google\u201d
\n GOOGL,
\n
\n to start things off), this system is capable of over-the-air updates and allows users to download apps through the Google Play store. Don\u2019t fret, Apple
\n AAPL,
\n
\n CarPlay is also standard.<\/p>\n
Standard in every new C40 Recharge, this 12.3-inch display is user-friendly while still adding to the cabin\u2019s tech-rich vibe.<\/p>\n
Another standard feature, this system uses Google Maps. But it\u2019s also programmed with the needs of electric vehicles in mind. It shows the location of chargers on the route and predicts battery levels at journey\u2019s end.<\/p>\n
A powered liftgate is standard across the 2023 C40 Recharge small SUV lineup. And it can be opened with the wave of a foot.<\/p>\n
Paired with adaptive cruise control, it adds steering corrections to keep the C40 Recharge in its lane. The driver\u2019s hands must remain on the steering wheel, though. It\u2019s exclusive to the top C40 Recharge Ultimate trim.<\/p>\n