Volvo C40

The C40 follows a growing trend we’ve seen of SUVs getting variants with coupelike rooflines. Audi was the first to apply the look to an EV on its E-Tron Sportback, but some gas-only models using this design philosophy include the Audi Q5 Sportback, BMW X4 and X6, Porsche Cayenne Coupe, and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Usually, these vehicles have less rear headroom and cargo space than the vehicles they’re based on.

In addition to the scrunched rear roofline, Volvo says the C40 is “lower and sleeker” than the XC40 recharge. The C40 also has a slightly different front end and a totally new rear view. Seven paint colors are available, and the high-end Ultimate trim gets 20-inch wheels.

We haven’t sat inside the C40 yet, so we don’t know exactly how much the roof affects headroom. However, most similarly shaped SUVs emphasize room for the driver and passenger at the slight expense of those in the second row.

Volvo says the C40’s entire interior is leather-free. A cerulean-color carpet called Fjord Blue is offered as a no-cost option with certain exterior colors.

The Google-powered infotainment system appears to be similar to what’s found in the Polestar 2, which runs on the Android operating system and integrates functions such as Google Maps and Google Assistant. Although the two vehicles appear to have different user interfaces, we did not find this partnership to yield a positive result in the Polestar we tested; users must sign in to a Google account (and manage privacy settings) to take full advantage of the car’s infotainment features. We hope the system will be further refined before this model reaches dealerships.

The C40 comes with a 78-kWh battery and two motors—one driving the front wheels, the other driving the rear. We experienced a similar powertrain on the Polestar 2 and found it to provide punchy acceleration. However, there are distinct differences between the two vehicles. The Polestar is sold through dedicated showrooms, while the Volvo must be ordered online. The Polestar also has sporty tuning options that the Volvo does not offer, and the Volvo is built in Belgium, while the Polestar is built in China.

The XC40 Recharge’s EPA estimated range of 226 miles is slightly shorter than the Polestar 2’s 249 miles for dual motor.

Volvo also says that every C40 will be able to receive over-the-air (OTA) updates that will continue to improve its performance after the vehicle is sold, including the ability to increase its driving range. The Polestar 2 has the same OTA capabilities and has received one update since its launch that Polestar says incrementally increases the 2’s range.

Volvo says it will offer 250 kWh of free charging on the nationwide Electrify America network of rapid EV chargers. Don’t get confused: Although the 250 kWh must be used within three years, it’s not three years of free charging! By our estimates, it equates to only about three full battery fill-ups, which in turn yield about 700 miles of driving. After that, Volvo will provide a discounted rate at Electrify America chargers.