2023 Volvo C40 Recharge price and specs

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Based on the internal combustion-based Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) shared with the Volvo XC40 and Polestar 2, the Luqiao-made C40 features a unique sloping rear hatch with stretched segmented rear taillights, ‘Volvo’ lettering strewn and a small spoiler compared to its traditional XC40 twin.

Inside, the C40 crossover is the first model from the Swedish brand to be completely leather-free, with the top-spec Recharge Twin boasting a ‘microtech’ and textile interior with backlit ‘topography’ map panels across the dashboard and door cards.

The rear row seats have two ISOFIX child seat points, can be folded in a 60/40 split, and there’s a carpeted 31-litre frunk.

Despite the raked rear, the Volvo C40 has an identical coefficient as the boxier XC40 at 0.32cd.

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The two-prong line-up is mostly distinguished by its battery size and electric motors.

On the entry Volvo C40 Recharge, it has a 67kWh usable battery pack mated to a single front-wheel drive electric motor able to go from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.4 seconds.

Meanwhile, the C40 Recharge Twin uses a 75kWh usable battery pack with two electric motors for all-wheel drive to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds.

According to Volvo Cars Australia, the C40 is single-motor good for up to 434km (estimated) of driving range and the dual motor provides 420km (estimated) from a full charge on the WLTP testing cycle.

The single-motor has a braked towing capacity of up to 1500kg or 1800kg for the dual-motor.

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On a 400-volt class architecture, the single-motor C40 can charge at up to 133kW on a compatible DC fast charger, while the dual-motor C40 is capable of up to 150kW DC. Both models can juice up at a maximum of 11kW AC power.

However, since the single-motor has a smaller battery capacity, Volvo claims it can recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in 32 minutes, compared to the dual-motor taking 40 minutes. The difference isn’t as wide, though, due to the latter’s faster DC charging capabilities.

The battery-electric coupe SUV uses the common Type2/CCS2 charging port on the rear-left side of the vehicle. It isn’t capable of vehicle-to-load nor bidirectional charging.

Using the Android Automotive system, it can precondition the battery for optimum fast charging when a public DC charger is set in the Google Maps navigation. The C40 offers two regenerative braking settings – off or on for one-pedal driving.

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Overseas model pictured

The Volvo C40 Recharge electric car has obtained the full five-star ANCAP safety rating under the 2022 testing criteria.

All C40 models feature the full suite of active safety assistance technologies as standard. This includes front and rear autonomous emergency braking (AEB); blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert; Pilot Assist adaptive cruise control; lane keep assist; and a reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors.

Opting for the dual-motor C40 Recharge Twin gains a 360-degree surround view camera.

The pure-electric coupe SUV features a 9-inch infotainment display running Android Automotive software, with access to Google services like Maps, Assistant and the Play Store. A 12.3-inch driver’s instrument cluster can display full screen Google Maps.

But, Volvo only includes a four-year unlimited data subscription. The system is capable of receiving over-the-air software updates, and includes wired Apple CarPlay and a Qi wireless smartphone pad as standard.

As per all Volvo’s, the C40 is compatible with a connected mobile app, which allows owners to monitor charging status, set the climate control, and lock or unlock the vehicle remotely.

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C40 Recharge Plus – $75,990 before on-road costs

The single-motor model comes with as standard:

• 67kW usable battery
• 19-inch five-double spoke black diamond cut alloy wheels
• ‘Origin’ interior decor panels
• Complete active safety assist technology suite (details above)
• 9-inch Android Automotive infotainment system with four-year data subscription
• 12.3-inch digital driver’s instrument display
• LED headlights and taillights with ‘Thor’s hammer’ daytime running lights
• Keyless entry
• Hands-free electric tailgate
• Two-zone climate control
• Air purifier system (filters up to 80 per cent of PM2.5 particules)
• Heated front and rear outboard seats
• Electric folding mirrors
• Fixed panoramic glass roof
• Auto dimming interior and exterior mirrors
• Power folding rear headrests
• Front and rear carpet mats

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C40 Recharge Twin Ultimate – $83,490 before on-road costs

The dual motor adds:

• 75kWh usable battery
• 20-inch Recharge five-spoke black diamond cut alloy wheels
• Microtech and textile interior
• Typography decor panels
• 360-degree camera system
• Harman Kardon premium sound system with subwoofer

C40 EV Options

• Standard paint – no cost: Black Stone
• Premium paint – no cost extra: Onyx Black, Fusion Red, Thunder Grey, Fjord Blue, Silver Dawn, Crystal White, and Sage Green

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All Volvo C40’s come with a five-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year battery warranty.

There’s also eight-years of roadside assistance coverage, three-year/100,000km of free servicing, and maintenance visits are only required every 24-months/30,000km for the battery-electric SUV.

The Swedish company has a network of 33 service centres across Australia.