2022 Volvo C40 Recharge review: First drive

UPDATE, December 21: We've added a fun new video to this story, featuring Dan Gardner driving the 2022 Volvo C40 around Belgium, exploring the new EV's styling, comfort, technology and driving qualities. Hit the play button above to find out more!

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For a company that has been foretelling the end of combustion-powered cars longer than most, Volvo has taken a surprisingly long time to bring its first pure-electric model to market.

The statement of intent started with the cull of all piston engines comprising more than four cylinders, then any that happened to displace more than 2.0-litres got the chop. Next, the electrification gene was administered in the form of plug-in hybrids, paving the way for full-fat EVs to succeed petrol and diesel for good.

But despite the beads of sweat forming on the forehead of Volvo’s remaining combustion engines, it was only last year that the first battery-powered Volvo finally made its debut.

Now though, it seems the 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge has categorically opened a gate for the company, with a whole family of EVs jostling to get through the door and join the baby SUV pioneer.

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The schedule is being dictated as much by demand as it is platform availability as respective generations of models mature, and the electrified version of the XC40 just happened to be the first model that could roll on the company’s new CMA architecture.

After it, however, will be the bigger XC60, the XC90 on the SPA platform and eventually every other model further down the line. All the time, high-performance sister brand Polestar is mirroring the Volvo EV roll-out with its own family of zero-emissions models on the same corresponding platforms.

But before the next SUVs, the Swedish company has slotted in a more esoteric but intriguing model based on the XC40 Recharge.

It’s called the C40 Recharge and it takes the same mechanicals as the high-achieving SUV but chamfers its tail for a more coupe-like, style-driven look.

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Unlike the XC40 that is available globally as pure combustion-powered, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and Recharge EV, the C40 is, for now, only available as the latter.

A 78kWh lithium-ion battery feeds power to a pair of electric motors – one on each axle – and a ‘twin’ boot badge denotes the more muscular potential as well the inherent all-wheel drive.

The tail-end motor has the option to deliver a bigger chunk of the performance for a more rear-biased power feel, but the net output is 300kW and a chunky 660Nm.

In practice, it feels like more. Poke the pair of inverters for their full combined might and the C40 bolts like someone stamped on its charge cable. Rolling acceleration feels almost more aggressive than off-the-mark with a cleverly calibrated throttle that damps big inputs at low speed for smoother driving and lively responsiveness when up and moving.

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The throttle also has another clever touch when decelerating too. Regenerative braking is also speed-dependent, offering the most aggressive effect at low speeds but limiting the braking when at higher speeds – again for smoother driving.

It also allows the C40 to coast at freeway speeds and, during more spirited driving, the driver can hover over the brake without the car slowing.

Finally, while most EVs cannot offer regen when the battery is full (there’s nowhere to put the regenerated power) the C40 actually applies brake force from the conventional caliper and disc arrangement, which means single-pedal driving is consistent and available 100 per cent of the time.

It’s small touches like this that set the C40 apart and highlight how thoroughly the model has been thought out.

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The C40’s suspension tune also provides insight that this EV is not trying to be like all others. Rather than opting for the weight-taming stiffness that many other battery-powered models adopt along with the crashy ride that often comes with it, this Volvo is softly sprung and is impressively comfortable on bad roads.

There’s more body roll as a consequence but in a trade-off between relaxation and stimulation, we’d take the Volvo most days. That’s not to say the C40 is lacklustre on challenging roads because a glimpse of its full potential suggests it has a lot to give.

Unfortunately, the scenic route around Belgium for our time at the wheel offered little in the way of dynamic testing, but precious moments of full acceleration out of corners and late braking into others revealed impressive grip even in the wet.

Feeling the front and rear axles fight each other for torque as the C40 squirmed around in the rain was a hoot and a reminder of the fun EVs can offer. That said, tyre choices could unlock even more potential.

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In Europe, the C40 Recharge will be shod in Pirelli Scorpion Allseason 2 Recharge tyres specially developed for the model but it’s easy to feel the limitations of this rubber with relatively little provocation. It’ll be interesting if Australia gets a different summer boot when the car arrives in late 2022.

Steering feel is the weakest part of the dynamic equation with a numbness that seems to be, as yet, insurmountable in the EV world. It doesn’t feel disconnected and the responsiveness is good, but feel is certainly lacking and no amount of synthetic weight can compensate for that.

Speaking of synthetic, the C40’s noise is also unusual. Quieter than most and what sound there is, is less supercharger whine and more high-speed train hum. At full noise, the dual-motor transmission emits a lovely deep rumble and is a fitting accompaniment to the bombshell acceleration.

Feeding the battery takes a little longer than some with a maximum 155kW DC charge rate and 400-volt system. Find the most forceful charger and you can pump up from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in about 35 minutes and a full charge will take you up to 444km.

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New to the model is Volvo’s latest information and entertainment system, which takes a big step forward as well. At a hardware and firmware level it’s all Volvo, but the operating system was jointly developed between Volvo and Google to bring the power of the tech company’s web search and mapping services for example, with the user feel and interfacing of a Volvo product.

Above that, third-party applications are supported along with over-the-air updates. But the icing is an e-sim permanently embedded in the system offering internet access and all the features without having to pair a phone.

Functionally, the result is a triumph with a powerful suite of applications and reliable operation – although there were the odd gremlins. On one occasion, this led us on an unplanned lap of Ghent. Not exactly a disaster.

In Europe, Volvo offers unlimited internet with the service but let’s not get too excited until Volvo Australia shows its cards. The same goes for the package of insurance, some charging and other bundled running costs that are offered as standard with each sale in Europe along with online sales.

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What will certainly come as standard is the same beautiful design throughout for which the XC40 has gained much-deserved acclaim.

Veneered into the dash and door trims are a new topographical, LED-backlit texture inspired by the Abisco national park, leather-free upholstery and widespread use of recycled plastics. Like anything to wear the iron badge these days, the C40 is tremendously style-led and the first electric crossover from the company is compelling indeed.

Ultimately though, the model’s reception will come down to pricing, which is likely to be a shade more than the $76,990 XC40 Recharge.

Either way, this attractive and technologically advanced EV is not supposed to generate a vast fortune for Volvo with table-smashing sales. When it arrives, it’ll bolster the total local EV offering and broaden the choices available to those looking to dip a toe into the future, and Australia’s roads will be a better place for it.

2022 Volvo C40 specifications