2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Review

Name: 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge
Brand: Volvo

Price Range: $23,300 - $31,990

Volvo C40 Recharge Ultimate 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

Good

7.8

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The Volvo C40 is a compact, stylish EV packing a satisfying amount of performance. A quiet interior and comfortable seats, the C40 is in many ways the epitome of a modern EV. But a steep asking price, shockingly poor rearward visibility and considerably less range than its competitors will make it a tough sell for buyers not enamored with the Scandinavian design aesthetic.

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Average price: $29,529

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Volvo C40 Recharge model years

2024
2023
2022

Volvo C40 Recharge for Sale

Pros

Quick acceleration and enjoyable handling
Quiet cabin
Stylish look inside and out

Cons

Poor rearward visibility
Subpar range and electrical efficiency
Small cargo area

What's new

Supporting Core and Plus trims debut
Part of the first C40 generation introduced for 2022

Overview

Written by automotive expert Mark Takahashi

5/4/2023

Logically, the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge would seem to be the inferior choice to the XC40 Recharge that it's based on. Both are small all-electric SUVs, but the C40 has a coupe-style roofline that reduces both passenger headroom and cargo capacity. (Plus, the XC40 isn't particularly roomy to begin with.) But on the upside, the C40 Recharge has one of the sportier looks around in its class, and that alone might make it worth a look.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

37 listings

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Certified 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge
Ultimate 4dr Hatchback
$29,000
good price
$1,155 below market
- 18,711 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 226 mi range
- Volvo Cars Silver Spring (29 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Silver Spring, MD
2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric Onyx Black Metallic AWD Ultimate Electric Motor Odometer is 11498 miles below market average! CARFAX One-Owner. ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: YV4ED3GM3P2052772
Stock: GP2543
Certified Pre-Owned: Yes
Listed since: 03-05-2026
Certified 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge
Ultimate 4dr Hatchback
$25,700
good price
$2,019 below market
- 37,048 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 226 mi range
- Volvo Cars Silver Spring (29 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Silver Spring, MD
2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric Black / Stone AWD Ultimate Electric Motor CARFAX One-Owner. Clean CARFAX. Volvo Certified Pre-Owned Details: ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: YV4ED3GMXP2058729
Stock: GP2534
Certified Pre-Owned: Yes
Listed since: 03-02-2026

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Whether you opt for the C40 or the XC40, you'll get a thoughtfully designed all-electric SUV with a unique Scandinavian aesthetic, Volvo's commitment to safety tech, and high levels of comfort. With up to 226 miles of estimated range, the C40 won't be able to cruise as far as some other EVs in its class, but its range should be more than enough for most drivers. We also ran the C40 Recharge on Edmunds' real-world range test and observed a more complimentary 252 miles on a single charge.

For 2023, the C40 lineup expands to include the supporting Core and Plus trims. In its inaugural year, it was only available in the top Ultimate trim. These more affordable models should broaden the C40's appeal against other subcompact electric SUVs, which include the Tesla Model Y and the new Lexus RZ 450e. Be sure to check out our Expert Rating below to see how the 2023 Volvo C40's advantages and drawbacks stack up against its rivals.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Kurt Niebuhr

Good

7.8

out of 10

We drove the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

8/10

How does the C40 Recharge drive? Even with its striking styling, we think it's safe to call the C40 a sleeper. Accelerating to 60 mph happens in just 4.5 seconds, quicker than Ford's Mach-E and Tesla's Model Y Long Range. And despite the Volvo having some pretty basic all-season tires, there's a reassuring degree of traction and control out of the corners that makes this little SUV pretty fun to whip around. The C40 is more than competent in everything it does.

All this speed doesn't come at the sacrifice of everyday drivability either. The XC40 Recharge is effortless to drive at any speed and features a one-pedal driving mode that dials up the motor's regenerative braking effect, allowing you to slow to a stop without having to use the brake pedal.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the C40 Recharge? For a small SUV, the C40 is relatively comfortable. The Recharge starts up and is ready to drive the moment you open the door, and its electric motors produce very little noise. As we're not big fans of the specially designed synthesized noises many EVs emit, we're happy to discover the C40 is free from a gimmicky soundtrack.

The C40's ride leans toward more firm than comfortable, likely because of its extra weight and its bias toward sporty handling. That gives the C40 a slightly busy ride in the city but excellent body control and stability at freeway speeds. The upholstery features recycled materials, and the front seats are fairly comfortable and offer a sufficient level of adjustment. Taller drivers did take issue with the somewhat aggressively angled headrests. The rear seats provide a proper degree of support.

Interior

7/10

How’s the interior? Volvo's typical user interface remains, and most controls are accessed through the 9-inch vertically oriented touchscreen. The C40 uses Google's newest in-car operating system, which includes convenient apps such as Google Maps and Spotify built right into the car. Apple iPhone users can rest easy as Apple CarPlay is supported. One gripe we have is the rather limited amount of information available through the digital instrument cluster.

The C40 has a relatively roomy cabin, even if getting out of the rear seats will likely require ducking your head due to the sloping roofline. There's a little less headroom for rear passengers in the C40 than its mechanical twin, the boxier XC40 Recharge, but it's adequate and the standard panoramic roof makes the interior feel much more spacious. Unfortunately, the C40's rear visibility suffers immensely from its unique styling. In a word, it's poor. The view offered by the backup camera is also partially blocked by bodywork. Thankfully, the surround-view camera system is pretty helpful when maneuvering into tight parking spots.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? With the Google operating system onboard, there are some great and some not so great features. We love being able to access apps like Google Maps, and having the excellent Google Assistant as a voice recognition system makes it one of the easier ways to control things. We don't like that a sudden loss of the data connection will render all the Google features useless until the connection is restored.

Four USB-C ports plus two 12-volt outlets and a wireless charger ensure there are ample options for keeping devices charged up. A full suite of advanced driver aids is optional and a bit pricey, but we think it's worth the investment because all the features work quite well. The C40 Ultimate comes standard with Volvo's full suite of advanced driver aids, including Volvo's semi-automated driving technology, Pilot Assist. We were impressed with the consistency and accuracy of the systems.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? The C40's swoopy styling shrinks its cargo capacity down from the XC40 Recharge's already small 20.4 cubic feet to a mere 14.6 cubes. While there is a frunk, it is very small and best suited to holding little more than a charging cable. The cabin offers a variety of other storage spaces and it's easy to keep your personal items organized. Felt-lined doors are a nice touch and help keep items from rattling around.

Using your C40 for kid duty? The child seat anchors are clearly located under flip-up doors, but they're buried a little deep for easy access. You might have the best chance of fitting a bulky rear-facing seat in this car compared to most other SUVs this size, but it'll still be a tight fit.

The C40 can tow up to 2,000 pounds. That's the same as the Polestar 2, less than the Model Y (3,500 pounds) and more than the Mach-E, which is not rated for towing.

Range and Efficiency

7/10

How are the range and efficiency? The EPA estimates the C40 Recharge has a maximum range of 226 miles and uses 39 kWh of electricity for every 100 miles of driving. Those numbers make it one of the less efficient luxury SUVs despite its small size. For comparison, the Tesla Model Y Long Range only uses 28 kWh for every 100 miles you drive.

In Edmunds' real-world testing, the C40 Recharge proved more efficient. We measured 35.1 kWh used for every 100 miles of driving and a maximum range of 252 miles on a full charge. Those are similar numbers to the Volvo XC40 Recharge we tested, which traveled 240 miles and used 35.4 kWh per 100 miles in our real-world test. Even with its real-world efficiency gains, the C40 lacks the range of most of its rivals.

As far as charging goes, the C40 is relatively speedy. It should take about eight hours to charge from empty to full if you have a 240-volt power source that outputs 11 kW. On a 150-kW DC fast charger, the C40 Recharge can charge from zero to 80% battery capacity in about 35 minutes.

Value

7.5/10

Is the C40 Recharge a good value? While the C40 has some attractive qualities, we don't think it's one of the better values for an EV. It isn't any less expensive than its larger and more spacious competition — the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y — and offers a lot less range than either.

Volvo's basic and powertrain warranties last for four years/50,000 miles, which aligns with the coverage of most competitors. The battery warranty is covered for eight years/100,000 miles, and Volvo covers scheduled services at every 10K miles for up to three years/36,000 miles of ownership. Roadside assistance is included for four years with no mileage limit.

Wildcard

8.5/10

You can call the C40 a Polestar-lite if you want to, but there's no taking away from the effortless and modern way theis electric Volvo goes about its daily duties. Even though it's not marketed as a performance EV, the C40's power and poise make it easy, and even a tad fun, to drive. This is a very well-sorted EV.

It's also chock full of Scandinavian design aesthetic. From the stylish wheels to the extensive use of recycled materials and contrasting interior colors, the C40 has a low-key, upscale look that many design-conscious buyers will prefer to some of the other drab or overly futuristic interiors offered in the competition.

2023 Volvo C40 Recharge trim level differences

The 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge is an all-electric subcompact SUV with seating for five. It's available in three trim levels: Core, Plus and Ultimate. All C40s have a 78-kWh battery pack that powers two electric motors — one at each axle for all-wheel drive. Combined, they produce 402 horsepower and 486 lb-ft of torque. The EPA estimates it will travel 226 miles on a single charge, and in Edmunds' real-world testing we managed to go 252 miles. DC fast charging up to 150 kW is included along with 250 kW of free DC fast charging on the Electrify America network. Compare the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge trim levels in-depth.

Which C40 Recharge trim does Edmunds recommend?

We typically don't suggest the top model for most vehicles, but in the case of the Volvo C40, the Ultimate trim gets our recommendation. It costs thousands more than the base Core trim but adds plenty of worthwhile features such as adaptive cruise control, a premium audio system and the Climate package that is optional on lower trims.

2023 Volvo C40 Recharge EV Insights

Trim:

C40 Recharge Core

Estimated Range Based on Age

edmunds TESTED

238 miles

EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 238 miles.

Estimated range mapfrom

Charging

SAE Combo

Plug Type

8 hrs

240V Home Charging

EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.

When can I use NACS/Tesla charging stations?

EV Battery Warranty

No battery warranty information available

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

$100

Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

Restrictions: Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Edmunds visitors receive a $100 discount when they contract with Treehouse for their home charger installation. Discount excludes permit, hosted inspection, and load management devices. Valid for 30 days.
To learn more, visit https://treehouse.pro/edmundsdiscount/

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Cost to Drive

$76/mo

C40 Recharge

$225/mo

Car Avg.

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

Am I Ready for an EV?

EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet)
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in
Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Learn more about the installation services partnership

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Make

Model

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Reliability

The 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 2 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Recalls

2 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 23V188000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: R10225
Number of vehicles affected:: 329
Defect Description:: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic trouble code (DTC) may be falsely detected for the emergency call system (e-call) and display "e-Call Service Required" in the driver information module (DIM).
Defect Consequence:: The false warning message could prevent the detection of an actual e-call system failure, which could delay an emergency response during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update the telematics and connectivity antenna module (TCAM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10225.

Recall Number:: 23V012000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: R10217
Number of vehicles affected:: 27457
Defect Description:: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60, V60CC, V90CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic error in the Brake Control Module 2 (BCM2) may cause a loss of Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and traction control.
Defect Consequence:: A reduction in brake support functions can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Volvo will release an over-the-air (OTA) BCM2 software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 15, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10217.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 12 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 4 years / 40,000 miles

Volvo C40 Recharge Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.0

9 reviews

5(56%)

4(22%)

3(0%)

2(11%)

1(11%)

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2023 C40 Recharge Features & Specs

Trim:

Core

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$55,300
EV Tax Credits & Rebates
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	226 miles
Cost to Drive	$76/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	8.0 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the C40 Recharge models:

Collision Warning and Avoidance: Warns you if a front collision is imminent and automatically applies the brakes. Can detect vehicles, pedestrians and animals.
Lane Keeping Aid: Alerts you if the vehicle begins drifting out of the lane, then applies steering and braking force to guide it back.
Pilot Assist: Adds lane centering to adaptive cruise control to lessen driver fatigue.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Range and Efficiency

Value

Wildcard

2023 Volvo C40 Recharge trim level differences

Which C40 Recharge trim does Edmunds recommend?

2023 Volvo C40 Recharge EV Insights

Estimated Range Based on Age

Charging

EV Battery Warranty

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

Cost to Drive

Am I Ready for an EV?

Reliability

Recalls

Warranty

Volvo C40 Recharge Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2023 C40 Recharge Features & Specs

Safety

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