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 simple to disregard, however used ones are critically reducing in worth.
At present, you’ll find used ones for as little as $25,000. At that worth, it is laborious to not think about one.
Because it offloads its EV rental fleet after final 12 months’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 value $62,715, however as we speak it is now listed for simply $24,188. That is a 61.4% drop in worth after a little bit over a 12 months of driving.
A Charlotte-based Hertz automotive 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.
For individuals who desire CPOs (consider Volvos have a 4-year or 50,000-mile primary 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 might be underneath guarantee until August 2028 with out a mileage restrict.
Based mostly on these costs, it is fairly notable how reasonably priced these luxurious crossovers have turn into. However do you have to purchase one? And should you do, what trims and choices do you have to think about?
Jeff Perez / Motor1
2024 Volvo C40 Recharge Assessment
The Volvo C40 Recharge: Tech Specs
Volvo launched the C40 Recharge to the USA market as a 2022 mannequin 12 months. It makes use of the identical Compact Modular Structure (CMA) as its shut cousins the XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2.
Till the 2024 mannequin 12 months, the C40 got here with just one powertrain choice 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.
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 might go from 10% to 80% state of cost in 37 minutes. The DC charging velocity and instances are common as it might’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 all the things powertrain-related is unexciting.
Jeff Perez / Motor1
2024 Volvo C40 Recharge Assessment
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 a denying that these are unimaginable efficiency figures for a seemingly tame household crossover. Nevertheless, a aspect impact of the battery and twin motor setup is the load. It ideas the scales at a hulking 4,780 kilos (consider the C40 is just 5.3 inches longer than a Bolt EUV). For comparability, Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary AWD weighs 413 fewer kilos.
For the 2024 mannequin 12 months, 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.
Nevertheless, the 2024 variations are at present round $15,000 to $20,000 dearer second-hand, so we’re specializing in the 2023 fashions for a lot of this story.
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 cellphone 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 may be very disappointing, particularly contemplating that it prices considerably greater than all these choices.
The Plus is a little bit 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. Relating to the protection entrance, the Plus merely provides entrance and aspect parking sensors and a surround-view digicam. As a result of lack of Core variations in the marketplace, lots of the cheaper used ones might be Plus trims.
Jeff Perez / Motor1
2024 Volvo C40 Recharge Assessment
The highest-tier variant is the Final, which comes with essentially the most in depth array of apparatus. The Final contains 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’ll preserve the automotive centered within the lane and a protected distance from the car forward.
All variations include a 9-inch central touchscreen which makes use of a Google Android Automotive-based working system. The entire setup is not unimaginable, nevertheless it has wonderful voice recognition and an amazing built-in route planner due to Google Maps. We expect it is superior to choices from Kia, Hyundai or Toyota.
Nevertheless, in comparison with tech-centric automaker techniques like Tesla, it lags in responsiveness and usefulness. That stated, Volvo permits drivers entry to wi-fi Android Auto or wired Apple CarPlay too.
Any Areas Of Concern?
Apart from some comparatively minor software program points and bugs, the Volvo C40 is not recognized to have many critical points (identical factor with the XC40 and Polestar). Nevertheless, one space of concern is the costly tires. All C40s include 20-inch wheels that require staggered tires. They usually aren’t low cost. On Tire Rack, the most cost effective tires for the C40 value $1,250 for a set.
For comparability, you may get a set of Kuhmos for the Polestar 2 Efficiency Pack for simply $564. In the event you’ve discovered a used C40 with dangerous tires, it is vital to appreciate that you will have to put aside a big lump of money for brand new ones.
Ought to I Purchase The C40 Recharge?
In the event you’re in search of a well-built, quick, and trendy electrical crossover, the Volvo C40 is a wonderful choice. Whereas not fairly a variety nor a charging king, the C40’s sturdy go well with is that it is a good automotive. And within the used market, the electrical Volvo is likely one of the most premium sub-$30,000 choices round.
Volvo C40 Recharge Headlamps
However most shoppers who buy one ought to undoubtedly spring for the Final trim. The adaptive cruise management alone generally is 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 can have nice efficiency and a easy and quiet trip.
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 worth proposition.
