In the dynamic Australian automotive landscape, Volvo, the renowned Swedish luxury brand, achieved remarkable growth and innovation with a total of 10,715 units sold in 2022. The debut of the all-electric C40 added to their success, garnering 491 sales in just two months. As of July 2023, Volvo has sold 685 units of Volvo C40 Recharge in Australia. This blog post will explore the design, features, pricing, and issues encountered with the C40, and provide insights on whether the purchase of the C40 Recharge is a worthwhile consideration.
Jump Ahead
Interior Design
The Volvo C40 Recharge’s interior design represents luxury, foregoing leather in favour of partially recycled materials for upholstery and carpets. This sustainability-focused approach blends seamlessly with the cabin’s aesthetic. The cabin’s ambience takes inspiration from natural topography, as seen in the translucent back-lit decor that bathes the space in a contemporary and calming glow.
The fixed panoramic roof boasts laminated and tinted glass that not only shields against glare and UV radiation but also floods the cabin with natural light. Stepping inside, Scandinavian design principles shine through, combining functionality, comfort, and craftsmanship. The seating is designed for optimal comfort and control, while the steering offers responsive handling, enhancing the overall driving experience. Further showcasing Volvo’s dedication to passenger comfort, the cabin offers smart storage solutions for various needs, from personal items to on-the-go meals.
Exterior Design
The Volvo C40 Recharge’s outside look is a mix of style and class. It’s like a cool version of the already stylish XC40. Whether it’s parked or driving around, the C40 catches your eye. Volvo doesn’t loudly announce its electric technology; instead, the C40 looks like a stylish Volvo from all sides.
The roof has a unique shape, giving the C40 a cool coupe-like style. It comes with nice 20-inch wheels, black window trim, and a covered front grille that shows it’s a part of Volvo’s electric team. There’s a big glass roof that lets lots of light in, and the special LED lights in the front are also cool. The C40 is not too big or too small, and it looks strong. You can also choose the colour; some colour choices come at an additional cost. All in all, the C40 Recharge’s design is a mix of cool style and smart choices that make it stand out.
C40 Recharge Features
The C40 is a powerful and innovative device that offers a range of impressive features. Designed to enhance user experience and productivity. One notable feature of the C40 is its high-resolution display. With a vibrant and crisp screen, users can enjoy stunning visuals and clarity while using the device for various tasks such as browsing, multimedia consumption, or creative work.
The Volvo C40 Recharge offers two electric powertrain options, ensuring both efficiency and power. Both options come with a 70kWh battery. The Single Motor option provides 238 hp with rear-wheel drive, while the Twin Motor option offers 408 hp with all-wheel drive. Accommodate your journey with a cargo capacity of 413 litres and a maximum towing capacity of 1500 kg. Read this for C40 Charging times and Range.
Another standout feature of the C40 is its advanced camera system. Equipped with multiple lenses and intelligent image processing capabilities, users can capture professional-quality photos and videos with ease. Whether it’s capturing breathtaking landscapes or documenting special moments, the C40 ensures exceptional image quality.
Furthermore, the C40 boasts a robust processor that delivers seamless performance. This allows for smooth multitasking, fast app launches, and efficient handling of demanding tasks such as gaming or video editing. In terms of connectivity options, the C40 offers versatile connectivity features including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB-C ports. This enables users to easily connect to other devices or transfer data quickly.
C40 Recharge Price
For 2023, the pricing structure for the Volvo C40 Recharge is as follows:
- Volvo C40 Recharge: $75,990
- Volvo C40 Recharge Twin: $83,490
Please note that the prices mentioned do not include on-road costs or additional customisation costs.
C40 Problems/Issues
The Volvo C40 Recharge, a pioneering electric coupe/crossover SUV, showcases the brand’s commitment to sustainability. While the car’s electrification goals are commendable, initial customer feedback has illuminated certain problems and issues. Early reports to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlight concerns involving powertrain, structure, suspension, and tires, with attention-grabbing issues like cheap structural finishes and pervasive knocking rattle. The 2023 C40 Recharge is also subject to two recalls: one addressing a diagnostic error in the Brake Control Module 2 (BCM2) that can compromise brake support functions, and the other pertaining to a false emergency call system warning message that might delay crash response.
On the software side, several glitches have emerged. The built-in Google Assistant, while advanced, occasionally misinterprets voice commands, and push-to-start issues have been observed where the wheels don’t receive power despite the dashboard appearing functional. Concerns regarding the BECM (battery energy control module) have caused instances of brake locking and shutdown, a recurrent issue among multiple EV/hybrid Volvo models. Charging issues have also surfaced, with some owners noting slow charging rates and others experiencing difficulties in displaying the charging status on the centre screen.
Safety software features exhibit some hiccups as well. Lane keeps assist and front collision avoidance systems have shown occasional inconsistencies, struggling to identify lanes and displaying excessive sensitivity respectively. The car’s Apple CarPlay system encounters booting failures and unexpected disconnections, necessitating a restart for resolution. While the Volvo C40 Recharge boasts impressive power and design, its array of emerging issues underscores the importance of continuous improvement in the realm of electric vehicles.
C40 & XC40 Recharge Recall in Australia
Volvo Australia has recently issued a recall for the XC40 and C40 Recharge electric SUVs due to a front suspension issue. This recall affects a total of 52 vehicles. Volvo has provided VIN lists for the affected vehicles, which can be found attached here. It is important for owners of these models to check if their vehicle is included in the recall and take appropriate action as advised by Volvo.
Finally, Is it worth buying C40 Recharge?
As Volvo continues its upward trajectory in the Australian automotive market, the C40 Recharge’s debut further underscores the brand’s commitment to a greener future. However, as with any pioneering technology, there are challenges to address. The decision to invest in the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge rests on a delicate balance of its standout attributes and emerging issues. As Volvo works diligently to address these challenges and enhance the overall ownership experience, the recent 2024 update enhances the C40 Recharge’s appeal with improved range and battery capabilities, suggesting the updated versions are worth considering for those embracing the electric evolution.
