Volvo C40 Recharge First Drive Review

The coupe-SUV version of the XC40 Recharge receives a significant range addition, improved performance and stylish looks

- Afzal Rawuther

On a cold, rainy day in Lonavala, we got the chance to sample the Volvo C40 Recharge. Right now, the sloping roofline and the added range (but not for long, more on that later) differentiate it from the Volvo XC40 Recharge. So, we log in to the Google account (there's a Google suite built in), get into the driver's seat and drive off (there's no start/stop button) to find out what it feels like as we drive the Volvo in the hills of Lonavala.

The roofline drops dramatically behind the B-pillar to create a coupe-SUV like silhouette which works wonders for the overall design. There is a split spoiler which is accompanied by a secondary spoiler that's mounted on the roof. Then, as you move to the side, there's a new design for the alloy wheels. And that more or less sums up the design differences between the C40 Recharge and its sibling, the XC40 Recharge. But those changes make a significant difference in how desirable the C40 Recharge is. Make no mistake that the XC40 Recharge, too, is a good-looking SUV to begin with, but these changes take the style quotient up a few notches.

It is a similar story on the inside.