The 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge is a modern electrical crossover with commendable efficiency. It is also not low cost.
The 2023 mannequin began at $56,395 for the Core model and leaped to $61,195 for the Final trim, the one model with adaptive cruise management. Regardless of the excessive worth, it’s nearer in size to a Chevrolet Bolt EUV than a Tesla Mannequin Y, and its vary is simply an okay 226 miles. Model new, the C40 is straightforward to disregard, however used ones are critically lowering in worth.Â
Right now, you could find used ones for as little as $25,000. At that worth, it is onerous to not contemplate one.
Because it offloads its EV rental fleet after final yr’s pricing catastrophe, Hertz is promoting some comparatively low-mileage examples with shockingly low costs as well. One instance is a 2023 C40 Recharge Final with 36,000 miles. Model new it price $62,715, however at the moment it is now listed for simply $24,188. That is a 61.4% drop in worth after somewhat over a yr of driving.Â
A Charlotte-based Hertz automobile gross sales middle is promoting a 24,000-mile instance for $26,170. That is as soon as once more the top-level Final trim with all of the out there choices. In comparison with its authentic $61,195 sticker, its worth dropped 52.7%.
In different phrases, you may get a sporty Swedish EV for much less cash than a brand new entry-level Ford Escape.Â
For many who choose CPOs (consider Volvos have a 4-year or 50,000-mile fundamental guarantee), you will not must spend any greater than $30,000. A dealership in Florida is promoting a licensed pre-owned 2023 C40 Recharge Plus for ​​$28,995 with 15,000 miles. This one was initially $58,640, so it has dropped about 50.5% in worth. However since it is a CPO, this one can be underneath guarantee until August 2028 with out a mileage restrict. Â
Primarily based on these costs, it is fairly notable how inexpensive these luxurious crossovers have grow to be. However must you purchase one? And if you happen to do, what trims and choices must you contemplate?Â
Jeff Perez / Motor1
2024 Volvo C40 Recharge Evaluate
The Volvo C40 Recharge: Tech Specs
Volvo launched the C40 Recharge to the US market as a 2022 mannequin yr. It makes use of the identical Compact Modular Structure (CMA) as its shut cousins the XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2.
Till the 2024 mannequin yr, the C40 got here with just one powertrain possibility that includes an all-wheel-drive setup. These 2023 fashions have a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, of which 75 is usable. This battery yields an EPA-rated vary of 226 miles. Out of Spec’s 70-mph vary take a look at demonstrated 221.9 miles, which is consistent with the EPA determine.Â
To cost the battery, the C40 can settle for as much as 11 kilowatts on AC or a peak of 150 kilowatts on DC. Volvo says it may go from 10% to 80% state of cost in 37 minutes. The DC charging velocity and occasions are common as it may’t maintain the 150 determine for lengthy.
When it comes to vary and charging, the C40 is a little bit of a snoozefest, however that does not imply every little thing powertrain-related is unexciting.Â
Jeff Perez / Motor1
2024 Volvo C40 Recharge Evaluate
The Volvo C40 Recharge has a 402 horsepower twin motor setup, permitting a speedy zero-to-sixty run of simply 4.5 seconds. There isn’t any denying that these are unbelievable efficiency figures for a seemingly tame household crossover. Nonetheless, a aspect impact of the battery and twin motor setup is the load. It suggestions the scales at a hulking 4,780 kilos (consider the C40 is simply 5.3 inches longer than a Bolt EUV). For comparability, Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary AWD weighs 413 fewer kilos.Â
For the 2024 mannequin yr, Volvo launched a Lengthy Vary RWD model, which comes with a barely bigger 82-kilowatt-hour battery with 79 being usable. This battery pack delivers a wholesome vary of 297 miles and a extra respectable peak cost price of 200 kilowatts.
Nonetheless, the 2024 variations are at present round $15,000 to $20,000 costlier second-hand, so we’re specializing in the 2023 fashions for a lot of this story.Â
Trims
Volvo’s coupe-style crossover is available in three trims: Core, Plus, and Final. The entry-level Core model comes with a panoramic glass roof, energy tailgate, wi-fi telephone charging, heated entrance seats, and ambient lighting. As for ADAS facilities, the Core options lane-keeping performance, blind spot monitoring, rear cros-traffic alert, visitors signal recognition, and rear parking sensors. In a world the place the Mach-E, Mannequin Y, EV6, and ID.4 function semi-hands-free driving as customary, Volvo’s customary array could be very disappointing, particularly contemplating that it prices considerably greater than all these choices.Â
The Plus is somewhat nicer however is not an enormous improve over the Core. It consists of options like a Homelink storage door opener, an influence passenger seat, fog lights,and an upgraded cabin air filter system. Concerning the security entrance, the Plus merely provides entrance and aspect parking sensors and a surround-view digital camera. As a result of lack of Core variations in the marketplace, most of the cheaper used ones can be Plus trims.Â
Jeff Perez / Motor1
2024 Volvo C40 Recharge Evaluate
The highest-tier variant is the Final, which comes with essentially the most in depth array of kit. The Final includes a heated steering wheel, a punchy Harman Kardon sound system, and heated rear seats. The Final additionally provides adaptive cruise management and Pilot Help. Pilot Help is similar to Ford’s Co-Pilot 360, Tesla’s Autopilot, and Kia’s HDA. It’s going to maintain the automobile centered within the lane and a secure distance from the car forward.Â
All variations include a 9-inch central touchscreen which makes use of a Google Android Automotive-based working system. The entire setup is not unbelievable, but it surely has wonderful voice recognition and a fantastic built-in route planner because of Google Maps. We expect it is superior to choices from Kia, Hyundai or Toyota.
Nonetheless, in comparison with tech-centric automaker programs like Tesla, it lags in responsiveness and usefulness. That stated, Volvo permits drivers entry to wi-fi Android Auto or wired Apple CarPlay too.Â
Any Areas Of Concern?
In addition to some comparatively minor software program points and bugs, the Volvo C40 is not recognized to have many severe points (identical factor with the XC40 and Polestar). Nonetheless, one space of concern is the costly tires. All C40s include 20-inch wheels that require staggered tires. And so they aren’t low cost. On Tire Rack, the most cost effective tires for the C40 price $1,250 for a set.
For comparability, you may get a set of Kuhmos for the Polestar 2 Efficiency Pack for simply $564. In case you’ve discovered a used C40 with dangerous tires, it is important to comprehend that you will have to put aside a big lump of money for brand new ones.Â
Ought to I Purchase The C40 Recharge?Â
In case you’re searching for a well-built, quick, and trendy electrical crossover, the Volvo C40 is a wonderful possibility. Whereas not fairly a variety nor a charging king, the C40’s robust swimsuit is that it is a good automobile. And within the used market, the electrical Volvo is without doubt one of the most premium sub-$30,000 choices round.Â
Volvo C40 Recharge Headlamps
However most customers who buy one ought to undoubtedly spring for the Final trim. The adaptive cruise management alone could be a shopping for issue, however different options like Pilot Help and the 13-speaker Harman Kardon sound system tip the scales additional. However, all fashions could have nice efficiency and a clean and quiet trip.Â
Model new, the Volvo C40’s steep worth makes it miss the marque. However for $30,000 off used, it is one heck of a price proposition.Â