2024 Volvo C40 Recharge Is A Swede EV With Added Range

The biggest complaint about EVs is range. Volvo adds 31 miles of it to the 2024 version of the C40 Recharge. The trick? New more efficient motors. And for the first time in 25 years, Volvo offers a rear-wheel drive vehicle with a single motor version that’ll go nearly 300 miles on a charge. Tom Voelk checks out an AWD twin motor Ultimate C40 Recharge dipped in Silver Lake paint with the optional Midnight Zinc wool blend upholstery (and no, it doesn’t itch). With Seattle temperatures in the low 30’s, it’s a great range and charge test.
#automotive #volvo #cars #electricvehicle #autosafety
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About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he's won for photography, editing, producing and reporting).
00:00 Intro
1:01 Pricing + Range
1:52 Ultimate Features
2:26 Powertrain
3:31 Driving Dynamics
6:35 Real World Range
7:03 Charging
9:00 Interior
11:30 Back Seat
12:38 Design
13:25 Cargo
14:38 Red Light Green Light
15:39 Summary
16:40 Epilogue
17:18 Before I Go

[@doogiemcdougster6740]

As a C40 owner, I have found the rear visibility to not be an issue. I do, however, keep the rear seat headrests folded down which gives me additional visibility. But really with 402 hp., I don't need to look behind me too much, lol. Great review, Tom! Happy holidays!

[@accountability2000]

Agree. As C40 owner as well, the rear view is not an issue.

[@ronedwards8239]

I have the C40 Twin Ultimate. The ride, comfort, traction are top notch. The navigation that shows your battery level at time of arrival is spot on. It’s simplistic luxury is top notch.

[@FrankHerrera20]

Many people complain about the simplicity of the screen, It’s just find, it’s not a TV.

[@citibear57]

I would certainly test drive the Volvo C40 if I was looking for a new vehicle at this price point. I find the styling, both inside and out, to be quite pleasing. As always, great video Tom!

[@vulpixelful]

8:51 Thanks for the charging etiquette lesson 😊 More people driving EVs is great, but we do need to realize how it's different from pumping gas

[@DannerBanks]

Really appreciate you talking about charging in your EV reviews. I have an EV and they are great but you gotta know what you are getting into.

[@stephengneri2136]

Tom another great review. Excellent presentation of the stats. Loved the google talk. Still waiting for 400+mile range....please.

[@localnut1]

Thanks for all of the great videos over the years, Tom.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Thanks localnut1! Or is that you Santa?

[@owenmcdonald5922]

Thanks for your output this last year. Looking forward to seeing what you give us next year. In the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Thanks Owen. You too.

[@stopthefomo]

After several updates my 2022 C40 range is now 225 max range but I’m in SoCal - charging is SLOW compared to my EV6 but performance is outrageously fun!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Well, that's comparing speeds using a 350kW terminal. Often times they're 150, so there's little difference. And really? Only 225? Last time I tried a C40 (press event in Palm Springs) I got closer to 250 in warmer temps.

[@zekew7546]

If you have an icy on the job injury, easy peasy, just call you boss. Errrr, wait, never-mind, Boss. Great job as usual on the comprehensive review.

[@Maplenr]

Beautiful car. Got to see one of these parked today while working... next to a Lamborghini Urus o.o Oddly enough, really didn't care for the Urus much, front end was super busy.

[@rickjames5998]

that front end be like yo momma.

[@barryw9473]

Tom, I don't think most EV drivers have heard about EV etiquette. I took a 1200 mile (round trip) journey in my 2022 XC40 Recharge and exclusively used EA stations from SF to Palm Desert and back with an overnight hotel stop each way. I was unable to get AC charging at one hotel en route but got it at the other ($40 Valet fee ensured I got a full battery in the morning). I had to wait at three different EA sites (with only 4 stations each) because BMW and Mercedes drivers were charging (for free, they told me) to nearly 100%!!! They said they needed the range to avoid a stop on the way to their next destination. I was at a local EA site at a mall yesterday (6 stalls) where 5 of the 6 spots were taken up by cars all getting free juice, with most above 90% and the 6th was in use by a Polestar 2 driver charging to 99% and paying for it. In conclusion, $1 (maybe $2 or $5)/minute idle fees and similar per minute dwell time fees above 80% SoC at a busy station are the only way to convince people to stop hogging DCFCs. It seems EV etiquette is great idea for those who don't own EVs.

[@anthonyc8499]

Hey Tom, I’m surprised about the fast charging challenges. There’s a bunch of 150-350kW stations in NW Seattle, especially with all those new EVgo stations from Interbay up to Holman Rd. Thanks for all your hard work on these shoots!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

The week I had the Volvo it was those very terminals that were down for maintenance. Seemed like EA and EVG were coordinating! I have an Audi Q8 e-tron in my drive this week. I'll give it another go.

[@anthonyc8499]

@@DrivenCarReviews have you ever thought of doing a side video on the theft of EV charging cables? Woodland Park's charger had its cables cut. The Interbay units still has one charger missing cables. Pretty much all of South Seattle's chargers are offline from cut cables.

[@Brainar]

8:55 Nice that you point out , 80% soc Thanks for a great video, even if I drive Polestar 2 LRSM 2023😉

[@daftboy11]

Tom, you kept waking up my bedside Google device. I got a long sermon on how to keep my hands warm.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Well, call a doctor if your symptoms persist. Sorry, forgot to mute the "hey Google" wake phrase.

[@arnegerhardsen3755]

Hello Tom, thanks for your good report! It seems like vi in Norway still have among the best prices on new evs, also after the new taxes on evs from 1.January 2023. But we have among the worlds highest taxes on vehicles with combastion engines, also for plugin hybrids driving 99 % emmission free. And from 2025 the government have told that we will get sky high taxes on both phevs and combastion engine cars. This makes it difficult for a lot of people living on the country side outside the cities, both for their own car needs, and also because most service professions have to use cars like Land Cruiser and smaller pickup trucks. I have waited for years for a zero-emmission vehicle for my job. Five years ago I paid equivalent with aprox 70.000 US Dollar for a new 2018 working model Land Cruiser 150 with9 2 seats, with 5 seats the price in 2018 was aprox 120.000 US Dollar. In the US the new 5 seater 2024 model LC will have a price at aprox 55.000 US Dollar. Here the 2 seater working model already now will be at least at 130.000 US Dollar, and with the sky high taxes promised for 2025 a 2 seater working model will be at aprox 150.000 US Dollar, aprox 2,7 times more than the 5 seater LC in the US. Many including me have waited for emmission free working vehicles, but we know that Rome wasn't built in one day, and the manufactorers must prioritice profitable products to be able to change all their manufactoring plants for emmission free vehicles. I'm sorry that not all politicans gave understood that. We have a few politicans without any limits. In my job with remediation of invironmental destructions of course I have seen the importence of the emissions. But these politicans are not able to see the hole picture there this also will increase the cost for remediation invironmental danages,mandag a lot others that will rice a lot of prices.

[@Kevin-yp2qh]

I’ve been experiencing so many issues with my 2023 XC40 Recharge… I don’t even know what to do anymore as the dealerships are not willing to help. There’s no lemon law since I’m in Canada

[@DrivenCarReviews]

If you really do have an issue with your car, Canada does have a lemon law- www.wheels.ca/news/service-complaint-heres-proceed

[@FrankHerrera20]

Go Mad, and Ask for a solution, it always works.

[@poplarfolly]

This is neat car, but the lack of a sunshade diminishes its appeal in the sunbelt.

[@svetstefanov4904]

It's Chinese, but it is brilliant. That's from an owner of Tesla S, Rivian R1T & R1S and Audi E-tron GT. My XC40 is the most fun city car to drive of them all!

[@rickjames5998]

wow arent u special

[@industryrule-4080]

I really wanted the C40 after test driving because of the front cabin, driving feel, and gorgeous looks but the deal breaker for me was the lack of reliable charging infrastructure (as compared to Tesla) and the cramped (to me) backseats. Driving around a family of four and the kids said backrests in the back were too upright.

[@davidcottrell570]

Come sometime next year, you can add Tesla chargers to the list of places to go. For a sub 15’ car there’s a surprising amount of space - thanks to the non-Tesla footwells and centre battery tunnel instead of a skateboard. As to the head restraints, Volvo designed them that way to limit whiplash. They don’t feel too upright to me - maybe the kids should try sitting up straight 😉!

[@anthonyc8499]

The backseat of the XC40 and Polestar 2 were absolute deal breakers for me.

[@davidcottrell570]

@@anthonyc8499 Well I’m an average 1.79m, and can sit in the back seat behind the driver with room to spare. The car is 4.44m long so it seats 4 with an occasional fifth. But with 2 in the car 99% of the time, it’s hardly an issue. It fits in a standard 5.5m parallel parking spot. If you want more leg room, such as a flat floored Tesla model Y, you are looking at 4.75m. It makes a big difference parallel parking, particularly with all of the large vehicles out there. It’s funny how a transmission tunnel was never a problem until electric vehicles came along and Volvo filled theirs with batteries, preserving leg room.

[@MrChadder007]

Very very nice but way too pricey compared to other offerings.

[@Antiguan_Dart]

And compromised - the spine intrusion into the cabin front and rear, the lack of extensive real buttons and the reminants of push button start ( a blank near the steering column). But some Volvo trade mark and other features for colder climates will impress - heated windscreen washers nozzels, built in ice scraper and heat pump.

[@jamesclayton8666]

Hello Tom, long time watcher, first time commenter (lol!) Can you and some other reviewers please dial back the coverage of brands like Volvo to something appropriately scaled to their actual contribution to the marketplace, be it sales numbers or innovation.. it seems clear that disproportionate numbers of press cars and/or events are (successfully) buying them coverage.. Without being specific to this channel, Audi is another one that comes to mind... I get a low volume sports or luxury car is fun for many to read about and likely deserves coverage based on aspirations alone. A Lucid Air or Rivian a curiousity at a minimum and I for one at cherish your reviews of this kind for giving me the texture and flavor of a rare product I likely won't lie hands on for some time... Volvo... well....I doubt there a many aspirational buyers outside its dedicated and miniscule fan base .. too much time in a college town, Vermont, or "earthy" places in the nation might distort the chance that most Americans actually have of spotting a current model in the wild! Take care and honor your viewer metrics! ♥️♥️♥️

[@DrivenCarReviews]

My car selection is based on a lot of things James- whether it's a mainstream high volume model, something I just want to drive or maybe it's the only vehicle available that I haven't driven. Volvo is coming back and I consider it to be more and more of a mainstream premium brand. It's on track to sell 160K vehicles this year. I wouldn't call that high volume but it's hardly niche.

[@jody024]

Not only fit the right tires for the conditions, also put the correct shoes on!

[@jonniesantos]

We just went solar PV on the house (no batteries) and are looking at an EV in maybe 18 months…

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Sounds like a fun project. Make a video! And thanks much for the support, really appreciate it.

[@magneto8002]

I wonder the range will be when Its -25 below zero here in Ontario, Canada.

[@gregkramer5588]

Nice job Tom. This is a nice vehicle. It does seem like it might be a bit expensive but only by a few thousand. I think my wife would love it!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Haggle hard. Maybe you can get the price down (and impress your wife).

[@gregkramer5588]

There is a chance I can impress her some way! :-) I might try a less expensive route! First we have to get our move to MN this coming spring behind us! @@DrivenCarReviews​

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@@gregkramer5588 Minnesota? Lucky man. Loved living in Minneapolis.

[@gregkramer5588]

Back to the family! I will be on the NW side Maple Grove! I remember you mentioning Duluth but did not know you spend time in the twin cities. The culture is different there, in a good way! @@DrivenCarReviews

[@ianpascoe6473]

Please stop saying 'hey Google' !!!! Our devices are going crazy!! Other than that; another first class review.

[@vmpgsc]

Bunko EV architecture + premium pricing = no thanks. Nice review though!

[@srr10]

Congratulations on your daughter's engagement, Tom! I'm hoping you'll do a review of the new Honda Pilot soon...

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Thanks, he's a great addition. And check back next week...

[@rickjames5998]

​@@DrivenCarReviewshow many toilet papers can he hold?

[@jenesuispasbavard]

At this price, just get a Polestar 2? Goes up to 350kW and looks better imo.

[@Rogger_50]

Love the video and excellent quality. Small favor! Can you please bleep out the Hey.."Google" ... it triggered all my google devices in the house and switched my input on my TV so I lost my video! LOL funny but... not really.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

I usually do. Forgot this time.

[@user-fx3bd7gw6x]

Nice car . Nice vid!

[@AndrewKarmy]

Volvo hiding radar/adapitve cruise in the top trim is really shady. They won't even let you option it for $500-1000. Radar cruise had become a standard feature on Toyotas and many other brands.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Exactly why I mentioned it.

[@michaelarch3779]

Consistenty excellent!!!!!!

[@bruintoo]

The lease on my 22 C40 is up early 2025, I am torn between getting an updated C40 or the EX30.

[@bbwlc]

Thanks!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Thanks Bob! Happy Holidays!

[@tommihelich2613]

To those haters who only want to point out that a Chinese company owns Volvo consider this: FORD chose to sell Volvo to a Chinese company rather than a consortium of ex Volvo people in Europe.

[@CrazyBader]

Geely is by far one of the best auto manufacturers in China, and punches well above its weight class outside of it. It's outselling many legacy auto manufacturers over here in the Middle East.

[@rimantascalyj276]

Hmm, I thought it just stating a fact that it is NOT a Swedish company anymore.

[@vulpixelful]

​@@rimantascalyj276Nobody cares 😂 Given that this will give them better access to the battery supply chain, that gives Volvo an advantage

[@JustMe99999]

Volvo has greatly improved since the Geely acquisition.

[@pnketia]

Why are the fog lights on your car coming on and off @ 4:57 and @ 5:36 as you turn? Is this supposed to do that or are they cornering lights not fog lights?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Cornering lights

[@GarrettWorcester]

Chrysler Pacifica and some Jeep models do this as well. I have not finished watching this video yet, but I've seen Volvos that have swiveling headlights, which are VERY noticeable.

[@Ethan7s]

Wait, you actually have and use a twin for the back seat shots? I always thought that was just editing.

[@tommihelich2613]

Editing.

[@jege41]

Good review, I did a search on your channel for a Tesla but turned up nothing, any reason why?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Tesla makes it hard to review its cars so I don't produce videos on them. I do drive my friend's cars to stay up on them. Besides, there are loads of Tesla reviews out there.

[@jege41]

@@DrivenCarReviews there are tons of Tesla reviews but the vast majority of them are done by either Tesla fan boys or haters, not professional car journalists like yourself, IMO.

[@farcinue]

I want the EX30!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Looking forward to seeing that one.

[@Joe-lb8qn]

Liked this review, for me its a size that suits me but its much too expensive for the range.

[@WilliamCh999]

I'm concerned of winter in Sweden with -20 celcius with the range...

[@bruintoo]

13:39 WAIT, THAT'S HOW IT IS STOWED?! That was new.

[@zygmuntwieliczko4742]

As the Volvo V90 user I would like to change second car for electric one. I have many issues with V90 like no sound, system needs restarts, LTE connections issues. Blue tooth issues. Is it normal in Volvo, do you have always such problems ? C40 looks really nice but these issues upset me every time.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Not sure of the issues you’re having, but this particular vehicle had nothing like that. That said, I only have vehicles for a week. But everything worked flawlessly on my test vehicle.

[@zygmuntwieliczko4742]

OK. Thank you. @@DrivenCarReviews

[@jimscheltens2647]

I’d like to see you put a spreadsheet together comparing the SUV EV models with your impressions. Also would like to see you do a current Tesla Model Y driven review.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

I'm not a spreadsheet guy so there's that. And if a manufacturer is going intentionally make it difficult to review a vehicle, then I'll pass. I drive them to stay current. The charging network is the best part of the brand.

[@bmunson4920]

The only SUV’s I have any interest in watching a review of are EV’s and hybrids….they are more likely to have new technology, and approach to ‘motoring’…same with pickup trucks…..electrics/hybrids only….otherwise, meh on the latest Tundra, or Tahoe….

[@DrivenCarReviews]

That's not really true. Loads of ICE cars have the same tech.

[@bmunson4920]

@@DrivenCarReviews I did say ‘more likely’….it wasn’t an absolutist statement….

[@DannerBanks]

Other than design and perhaps Google, not sure why you would get this over a model Y

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Many reasons. Cars are a personal choice.

[@thegeekdeveloper]

It's quieter, feels more premium, it's safer, just to name a few. On a more personal note, I think the Volvo looks better.

[@DannerBanks]

@@thegeekdeveloper I agree with everything you said except safer. What makes it safer?

[@thegeekdeveloper]

@@DannerBanks Volvos are designed, built and equipped to provide the utmost safety for their occupant during a crash. Volvo has an actual target of having zero fatalities in a Volvo car by 2035. Tesla relies a lot on tech to work well to keep occupants safe, Volvo goes the extra mile. A quick google search can prove what I said.

[@DannerBanks]

@@thegeekdeveloper I'm not looking for proof that Volvo is safe, I only know that they invented the seat belt among other things and are known for safety. Teslas have the highest crash test safety rating of any car. It is true that people misuse Teslas adas, probably because they market it too aggressively, but I don't think that makes Teslas unsafe

[@sloanNYC]

Having loved my C30, this just is too ugly and bulky to me. The EX30 looks a bit better, but their UI choices in the interior would just make me go insane... so I won't be returning to Volvo yet...

[@pappaslivery]

You can't tell me to watch your videos on my 4K TV, which is a Google TV and then activate it twice and then have me listen to the same thing for the Mayo clinic about cold hands that you're playing on the video

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Ah, sorry, forgot to mute the prompt. But you have to admit they look good on the big screen, right?

[@pappaslivery]

@@DrivenCarReviews that they do

[@harry7384]

no capacitive steering wheel :-(

[@MK-tk8tb]

Seems adequate.

[@loriallen67]

No rear wiper is a deal breaker for me. So is poor (rear) visibility.

[@Kurre.]

Buy the xc40 then

[@kevinremsen5627]

I own a 2022 C40 and it doesn't bother me at all. Any dangers behind you can be addressed with a quick tap of the accelerator.

[@davidcottrell570]

The XC40 also has an opening sunroof and shade.

[@BlackPenquinn]

I have one. The range has been improving with software updates. The rear view camera is a “fun house” view and not terribly useful. In fact it makes the car difficult to place.

[@petercampbell1585]

RainX will solve that.

[@natecurrier]

A lot of money.

[@Chairman_Wang]

I love how deluded this guy is about charging etiquette. The station either enforces the rule or there there are no rules. Plenty of folks couldn’t care less and given there are no consequences, can you blame them? Also if it’s a paid station then they can be there as long as they want. Idle fees still means paying for a spot.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Right. You feel that way until you need to use one yourself.

[@rickjames5998]

but this car is owned by Chyna not Swede :(

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Engineering, design and manufacturing is done in Sweden and Europe. If that's your criteria, hope you're enjoying your French Ram truck and Jeep Wrangler.

[@DonTrumpF2024ever]

c40 for $60K......i'd buy the Rav4 PRIME! or a TUNDRA!

[@cleroyster2610]

How much to replace the battery ? The only question people want to know

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Battery packs typically last the life of the car. My brother had 120K miles on his Leaf with 20% degradation when it got hit and totaled.

[@nlmytube]

Is your family accident prone?@@DrivenCarReviews

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@@nlmytube Nope. And they aren't "accidents". They are crashes.

[@acchaladka]

Whoa, is Tom Voelk an urbanist who understands the role of the car within integrated mobility architecture? I am nerdily excited by the possibility. @@DrivenCarReviews

[@notsodelusional]

Swedish or Chinese?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Swedish. Design, engineering and testing are done in the land of IKEA.

[@tommihelich2613]

Tom stated early on that it is built in Belgium.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

@@tommihelich2613 Even if built in China ti is still a Swedish car because of what the channel owner said. It is designed, engineered and tested in Sweden, not China. This one is built in Belgium, but it is not a Belgian car. It is still a Swedish car. And those built in the USA are still Swedish cars.

[@rickjames5998]

nott even 300 miles. Sad.

[@denault3985]

One of these days, EV's will charge in the time it takes to fill a tank of gas...just wishing.

[@kevinashurst634]

one day soon --- they will.

[@RoguePlanetStudio]

For some reason it looks like a scion chr

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Not at all

[@martinbusler7416]

I don't know how this car can compete against the Tesla Model Y.

[@stopthefomo]

It can’t but it’s better looking IMO

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Personally, I'd pay the premium to not see my car 20 times on the way to the grocery store.

[@Mr.Ratchet]

First

[@M_dot202]

I thought Volvo was Chinese now...

[@robertpettigrew3862]

Meh, nothing about it is impressive

[@davidcottrell570]

It’s the kind of car that doesn’t try to shout “look at me”. Try driving it. If understated Scandinavian looks, performance and safety appeal to you, you might like the car.

[@robertpettigrew3862]

@@davidcottrell570owned several ICE Volvos back in the 70’s and 80’s.. EV does not push my buttons but this car is drab

[@davidcottrell570]

@@robertpettigrew3862 I had a 125 for a while too. I agree the silver monotone on the C40 doesn’t do anything for me either. But I have a sage green XC40 with a black roof which looks pretty good, albeit restrained, compared to a lot of the over the top designs out there today. It also has a rear wiper and an opening sunroof with a shade. You may as well get used to EVs. Despite all the ‘information’ out there, they aren’t going away.

[@1gab]

It's not a Swede EV, Volvo is owned by China.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

That's stupid. Sorry. It is Swedish. Do your homework.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Designed, engineered and tested in the land of IKEA.

[@1gab]

Congratulations for keeping a few job in Sweden. And when financing the Anti America communists in China is not going fast enough by shopping at Dollar Tree, go ahead and buy a Volvo. Oh but it's engineered in Sweden buy a team of people with a laptop. Their office could probably be in a Starbucks. Nice.

[@ac1888]

Thanks!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Thank YOU ac1888. Much appreciated!