2022 Volvo C40 Recharge SUVOTY Review: Quick and Cute Only Help So Much

In one obvious way, there is less to love about the Volvo C40 Recharge compared to its older brother, the XC40 Recharge. The two all-electric crossovers are based on the same architecture, including a 75-kWh battery pack and single-speed automatic transmissions, but the rearward-sloping roofline of the coupelike C40 means it provides less cargo-carrying capacity (with a gain of 3 miles of range, to 226 miles total on a full charge).

Safety has long been Volvo's selling point, but the brand focuses just as much on three other s-words working hand in glove: sustainable Scandinavian style. The blacked-out roof and Fjord Blue paint, unique for the Launch Edition C40, give the chunky coupeish crossover a sporty edge. Inside, the steering wheel and shifter feel like they're covered in tanned hide, but it's vinyl. Leather is no longer an option in any Volvo EV going forward, so seating surfaces are covered in either a suede textile (made of 100 percent recycled polyester) or a fabric made of 30 percent wool and 70 percent polyester. The matching blue carpet on the floor, door inserts, and transmission tunnel is made entirely of recycled polyester. Across the dash, where you'd find a strip of aluminum or open-pore wood in gas-powered C40s, sits an eye-catching strip of backlit recycled plastic, printed with a topographic contour map of Sweden's Abisko National Park.

Although these stylish and environmentally conscious touches might bring comfort to the senses and soul, the driving dynamics inspire us far less. The C40 is stunningly quick in a straight line, but it falls apart when the road gets twisty. Where you might expect a ride and handling trade-off benefiting one versus the other, in this case, both are bad. "On the winding road, I was shocked by how poorly this vehicle handled," guest judge Gordon Dickie said. "Going through the bends, the suspension was jittery, and it tended to plow with too much body roll."

Detroit editor Alisa Priddle agreed, noting the C40 is "horrible over any kind of bumps, big or small. Probably the worst ride of the field on the special surfaces portion—jangling and bouncing all over the place on its overly stiff suspension."

Driving range is on the lower end now that more EV entrants have crowded the compact SUV space. The C40's 226-mile range would have been reasonably competitive a couple years ago, but with 300-plus miles now the benchmark for this segment, the C40 Recharge is simply not that appealing.

We liked the XC40 Recharge at our 2022 SUV of the Year competition and noted it accelerated quicker and was more affordable than the base Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo. The same holds true for the C40, but these party tricks have worn thin. Sure, Volvo is pioneering Google's Android operating system in the C40, which gives it cutting-edge tech to go with its smart and sustainable style, but competition is fierce at this price point. Others entering the fray offer greater range and superior driving dynamics, at a lower price. Quick and cute only go so far.