Review of the Volvo EC40

The Volvo C40 is an all-electric coupe SUV that's a sportier version of the XC40. The C40 has two powerful electric engines, a sustainable and well-built interior, and a stylish exterior.

Rivals to the Volvo C40 include the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, Kia EV6, Jaguar I-Pace, and Mercedes EQA. 

Volvo C40 Pros: 

• Powerful performance
• Interior made from recycled materials
• Stylish exterior

Volvo C40 Cons: 

• Poor rear visibility
• Difficult to use infotainment system
• Limited rear headroom

• Sporty exterior with rear sloping roofline and a small spoiler
• A well-built interior that's made from sustainable materials 
• 413-litre boot and small 31-litre frunk
• Two powerful electric engines: One single motor and one dual motor
• Three trim levels are available: Core, Plus, and Ultimate

The C40 is a coupe version of the Volvo XC40, coming with a trendier and slicker exterior. A sloping rear roofline, sportier bumpers and side skirts, and a small spoiler at the back add nicely to the traditional Volvo closed-off front grille and hammer-like LED headlights.

Even though the C40 has a compact and sporty exterior, passengers in the front will have plenty of room for their heads and feet. However, the same can't be said for those in the back. Because of the sloping rear roof, anyone over six feet will find their head resting on the ceiling, and the driver will struggle to see out of the rear window.  

In terms of storage, Volvo has added a few handy features throughout the cabin. You still get all the usual compartments, such as door bins and a central armrest cabby, but there's also a pop-out rubbish bin between the front seats and sliding draws under the front seats.

Boot space for the C40 comes in at 413 litres, which can be extended to 1,205 litres with the rear seats split and folded 60/40. There's also a 31-litre front boot under the bonnet, perfect for the C40's charging cables.

The notable thing about the C40's interior is that it doesn't include any leather, which is great for vegans. Instead, Volvo uses various fabrics and carpets that have been sourced from recycled materials. On the dash, you'll find a mix of soft-touch plastics which have been well-built into the car, making it seem more solid than a Mercedes EQA or a Tesla Model Y.

Volvo uses a dual-screen system in the C40; there's a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital cluster. The digital cluster is located behind the steering wheel, and thanks to its size, it's easy to read when on the move. The infotainment system is paired with Google software which is great for the built-in sat-nav, and it also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Three trim levels are available for the Volvo C40: Core, Plus, and Ultimate.

The entry-level Core comes with 19-inch five-spoke black diamond alloy wheels, LED headlights, two-zone climate control, a panoramic roof, heated front seats, charcoal headlining, power four-way lumbar support, wireless phone charging, and a high-performance audio system.

Plus adds to this with an air purifier, adaptive cruise control, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry with a hands-free power tailgate, heated rear seats, and a power driver's seat with memory.

The range-topping Ultimate comes with 20-inch five-spoke black diamond alloy wheels, a 360-degree camera, interior illumination, a power-folding rear head restraint, an air-ventilated subwoofer, a Harman Kardon Premium sound, and park assist for the front, rear, and side.

The C40 comes with either a single or dual electric motor. The single motor comes with a 67kWh battery which returns 272 miles of range, while the dual motor comes with a 75kWh unit which can achieve 278 miles on a single charge.

The single motor comes with rear-wheel drive, has 235bhp and can accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds, more than enough power for most. The dual motor version is only available with four-wheel drive, has a huge power output of 402bhp, and achieves 0-62mph in just 4.7 seconds. This makes the latter quicker than the Kia EV6 and the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron.

When charging, Volvo states that the C40 will charge at 11kkW on a slow charger, taking eight hours to fully charge. If you're in a rush, it can also charge at 150kW on a rapid charger which can fly through 10-80% of charge in just 27 minutes.

Matching the C40's great range of engines is its decent on-the-road performance. With it being a big and heavy car, the suspension is firm which can lead to a few difficulties when tackling potholes and larger bumps. As expected, the smaller 19-inch wheels return the best suspension, pipping rivals like the Mercedes EQA.  

Because of the weight of the C40, there's plenty of road grip when tackling a bend at speed. Handling is also sufficient, but there is a bit of lean when driving at high speeds. Luckily, the C40 has two driving modes, a lighter mode and a heavier one. The former helps keep handling light around town and at lower speeds, while the latter keeps it accurate at higher speeds.

Prices for the new Volvo C40 start from £47,500.00 OTR* or to lease from £488.08 per month.

Thinking about leasing the Volvo C40? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's car leasing brokers and has a range of leasing deals available to suit your every need.

Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase thanks to a low initial deposit, fixed monthly rentals, and a range of benefits included in the lease deal, such as breakdown cover and road tax.

*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change, always check with your nearest retailer.