Volvo EC40 review
The stylish Volvo EC40 delivers strong performance and decent range, but it comes at a cost
Our opinion on the Volvo EC40
The Volvo EC40 (previously known as the Volvo C40 Recharge) is a smart, stylish and easy electric SUV to live with, but it is a car with a bit of an identity crisis. The almost identical Volvo EX40 delivers a similar design and performance but with much greater practicality, while the closely related Polestar 2 is more engaging to drive.
On the plus side, the Volvo has a wide range of motor and battery options, plus a decent range and an interior that’s upmarket and comfortable
About the Volvo EC40
Originally launched in 2021 as the C40 Recharge, this coupe-SUV was renamed EC40 in 2024 to bring it into line with the rest of Volvo’s model range. Curiously, the car received a subtle facelift in 2023 that resulted in the Single Motor models being re-engineered from a front-motor, front-wheel drive design to a rear-motor, rear-wheel drive layout. These changes were designed to improve efficiency and packaging.
With models like the Volvo EX30 and Volvo EX90 now in the running, the EC40 is starting to feel its age. However, it remains competitive range-wise because every model manages around 300 miles or more on a charge.
Prior to its renaming, we tested the EC40 (or C40 Recharge as it was known) against the Cupra Born and Mercedes EQA to see which premium electric SUV was best.
Volvo EC40 prices and latest deals
In its entry-level Single Motor RWD Plus form, you’re looking at a starting price of around £45,000. At the top end of the EC40 spectrum sits the EC40 Black Edition Ultra Twin Motor Performance powertrain, which commands over £55,500.
You can save on the list price by building your ideal Volvo EC40 with the Auto Express Buy A Car service. We also have a range of EC40 leasing deals and used EC40 models to choose from.
Performance & driving experience
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Underneath, the EC40 is essentially the same as the Volvo EX40, which means it drives in much the same way. You also get the same choice of rear-wheel drive Single Motor and all-wheel drive Twin Motor set-ups, with the latter serving up genuine sports car-slaying pace.
| Model | Power | 0-62mph | Top speed |
| EC40 Single Motor | 235bhp | 7.3 seconds | 112mph |
| EC40 Single Motor Extended Range | 249bhp | 7.3 seconds | 112mph |
| EC40 Twin Motor | 402bhp | 4.7 seconds | 112mph |
| EC40 Twin Motor Performance | 436bhp | 4.6 seconds | 112mph |
Electric motors, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed
The 0-62mph time is 4.7 seconds (4.6 seconds in Twin Motor Performance guise), which sounds quick enough, but if anything, the EC40 feels even faster than this figure would suggest. This is partly down to the instant torque delivery of the electric motors - which isn’t softened off here, as is the case for a lot of EVs now - but also because the performance seems somewhat unexpected in a car that looks like this.
If you’re after something a little more sedate, the Single Motor models will be just the ticket, with a choice of 235bhp or 249bhp; neither is a slouch. The former comes with a lighter 70kWh battery, while the latter gets more power to counteract its heavier 82kWh pack. This helps to explain why both can sprint from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds. In reality, the Single Motor is quick enough for most situations, stepping off smartly from the line and with enough high-speed acceleration for swift and safe overtaking.
Town driving, visibility and parking
While the EC40 performs well when wafting along the motorway, it can become a bit unsettled at slower urban speeds. The electric powertrain is easy enough to modulate in stop/start traffic, so there isn’t any unpleasant lurching, and there’s more than enough oomph to get away from trickier junctions. However, impacts with larger potholes and imperfections can be felt in the cabin.
Country road driving and handling
Like the EX40, the EC40 sits on the Swedish brand’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) underpinnings, which use MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a multi-link rear axle. As a result, the Volvo handles with surprising assurance and poise, even if it can’t match the closely related Polestar 2 for dynamic sparkle. Overall, it performs with surprising agility for what is a tall SUV.
On the plus side, the steering is nicely weighted and pleasingly direct, while the well-judged chassis set-up and a decent amount of grip mean that you’ll have confidence tackling a twisty back road. The EC40 also strikes a nice balance between composure and comfort, and while it can get caught out on pockmarked and potholed city streets, the Volvo is a relaxing companion. It’s at its best on smaller 19-inch wheels, which cope better with rough surfaces than the larger 20-inch rims.
Motorway driving and long-distance comfort
The Volvo delivers impressive refinement, whichever wheel size you choose, because wind, road, and suspension noise are all well suppressed. Factor in the commanding driving position and excellent seats, and the EC40 makes a fine long-distance cruiser.
Range, charging & running costs
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Thanks to a range of midlife updates, this Volvo benefits from technical tweaks that have lifted its range from below-par to competitive. As a result, the Single Motor Extended Range EC40 now has a WLTP combined range of up to 358 miles (278 miles previously), which is far more than the BMW iX2 offers.
The standard Single Motor EC40 claims up to 300 miles from its smaller 72kWh pack. The extra performance and weight of the Twin Motor versions mean the official range is pegged back to around 336 miles, despite getting an even larger 82kWh battery.
The 82kWh battery found in the Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor EC40s is capable of fast charging at up to 200kW. This results in a 10 to 80 per cent top-up from a suitable rapid charger taking as little as 28 minutes.
The standard Single Motor model isn’t too far behind because it’s also capable of up to 200kW. The smaller 70kWh capacity means the same 10 to 80 per cent dash can be completed in around 26 minutes.
If, like most EV drivers, you’ll be charging at home from a 7.4 kW wallbox charger, it will take roughly 9.5 hours to fully charge the 70kWh Single Motor, rising to 11 hours for the 82kWh unit.
| Model | Battery size | Range | Insurance group |
| EC40 Single Motor Plus | 70kWh | 300 miles | 35 |
| EC40 Single Motor Extended Range Plus | 82kWh | 358 miles | 36 |
| EC40 Twin Motor Ultra | 82kWh | 339 miles | 40 |
Insurance groups
Unfortunately, the Volvo EC40 doesn’t make any headlines when it comes down to insuring it. The entry-level Single Motor Plus sits in group 35 (out of 50), whereas rivals like the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX2 both manage to slightly undercut the Volvo by dipping as low as group 32.
Tax
A number of versions of the EC40 slip under the £50,000 electric luxury car tax threshold, but get a bit too carried away with the configurator and you can easily surpass this figure. This will add £440 to your annual bill above the standard rate of vehicle excise duty (VED) road tax from the second year the vehicle is taxed until it is six years old.
Company car drivers shouldn't have many concerns, because it presently sits in the four per cent Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax band. This will rise to five per cent for the ‘27/’28 tax year, and seven per cent for the ‘28/’29 tax year.
Depreciation
Our resale valuation data makes for pretty grim reading, because the Volvo EC40 is only expected to retain between 34 and 38 per cent of its original value after a period of three years or 36,000 miles.
In comparison, the BMW iX2 holds on to 45 to 48 per cent, while the Tesla Model Y retains 48 to 59 per cent over the same period.
Interior, design & technology
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As it’s essentially a coupe-inspired version of the Volvo EX40, the EC40 takes many design cues from its more rugged and practical sibling. The result is lots of simple, clean, resolved lines – managing to look chunky and sleek at the same time.
From the nose, complete with Volvo’s trademark ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlight design, through to the windscreen, the EC40 is identical to the EX40. It also shares that car’s SUV-inspired raised ride height and tough body cladding. However, with its swooping roofline and rakish tailgate complete with a small spoiler, the EC40 has more kerb appeal.
Interior and dashboard design
While the EC40 still looks striking and modern on the outside, the interior is starting to feel its age. It’s well-built and has plenty of high-grade materials, but compared to the brand’s newer Volvo EX30 and Volvo EX90 models, the EC40’s cabin isn’t quite as fresh.
Still, the design has enough Scandinavian minimalism to keep things interesting, while the uncluttered layout is easy to use. For instance, the EC40 gets the same nine-inch portrait-layout infotainment display as the Volvo XC60 and Volvo XC90, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel instead of conventional dials. The latter looks good and can be customised to display a map at the touch of a button, which is useful when following sat-nav instructions.
You’re not short of toys either, with even entry-level models getting heated front and rear seats, climate control, a surround-view camera and an eight-speaker hi-fi system. There are numerous customisation options, including the availability of tailored wool trim for the seats. In keeping with Volvo’s keen eco-credentials, there is no leather option.
Materials and build quality
While Volvo’s build quality is generally solid, we did find a few hard plastics in our long-term test car that tarnished its premium status. We couldn’t fault the level of comfort offered by the seats, though.
Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo
Given that the EC40’s interior is carried over from the EX40, it’s no surprise to find it uses the same infotainment system. This means you get a nine-inch portrait-oriented central touchscreen running an Android-based operating system with built-in online Google services. The graphics are crisp, and the shortcut keys are bolder and less fiddly to use than previous Volvo setups.
Better still, the screen’s loading times are good, even if it took a while to bring up an address for the sat-nav. There’s also the ‘Okay Google’ voice assistant, which responds fairly well to your prompts, even if it isn’t as effective as the ‘Hey Mercedes’ set-up used in the Mercedes EQA.
Volvo has stuck with a physical home button below the touchscreen, plus there’s a large volume dial and a row of buttons, including the hazard warning light and heated rear window. However, the rest of the climate controls and air-con settings are adjusted through the touchscreen, which is a frustration when you’re driving.
While there is smartphone connectivity, you’re encouraged to log into your Google account, along with any of the pre-installed apps you might use, such as Spotify. It’s hard to fault once you’re logged in, but it takes a long time to set up.
There’s wireless phone charging as standard, while the top-of-the-range Ultra comes with a powerful upgraded 600-watt, 13-speaker Harman Kardon sound system that offers excellent sound quality.
Boot space & practicality
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Although the EC40 is billed as a coupe, it’s not much less practical than the standard EX40. There’s a fraction less headroom in the rear and a slightly smaller boot, but overall, this Volvo will do sterling service as a family car.
There are plenty of handy design features and storage options, too. For example, the glove box features a folding hook that is designed to help you make it home without spilling any of your shopping or takeaway. Then there’s the rather flimsy-looking lidded compartment between the front seats that’s actually a removable (for washing) waste bin. A wireless phone charging pad and USB port can be found at the base of the centre console.
Dimensions and size
The EC40 is a bit shorter than the BMW iX2 and Audi Q4 e-tron, but it is wider than both of its rivals. The iX2 also has a slightly shorter wheelbase.
| Dimensions comparison | |||
| Model | Volvo EC40 | BMW iX2 | Audi Q4 e-tron |
| Length | 4,440mm | 4,554mm | 4,588mm |
| Width | 1,938mm | 1,845mm | 1,865mm |
| Height | 1,651mm | 1,560mm | 1,639mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700mm | 2,690mm | 2,764mm |
| Boot space | 404 litres | 525 litres | 520-1,490 litres |
Seats & passenger space
Like the EX40, the EC40 is a full five-seater, although fitting three adults across the rear bench is a squeeze. There’s decent legroom in the rear, while only the tallest occupants will feel short-changed due to that rakish roofline. Those sitting in the middle seat will have their legs straddling a small ‘transmission’ tunnel, but they will get the full effect of the separate heating vents that sit between the front seats.
Speaking of which, those sitting up front get plenty of head and legroom, while the well-laid-out driving position offers a fine view of the road ahead. Moreover, like all Volvo models, the EC40’s electrically powered seats are some of the best in the business, with exceptional support and a wide range of adjustments.
Boot space
Where you’re most likely to notice the EC40’s coupe conversion is in the boot, where capacity shrinks to 404 litres from the EX40’s 452 litres. That’s still a fairly sizable carrying capacity, while the load area is well-shaped and free of intrusions. Better still, the boot floor contains a load divider, revealing three handy shopping hooks when raised. The hatchback opening of the EC40 is large, and there’s no load lip to lift items over. The 60/40 split-fold rear seat liberates 1,196 litres of space when folded.
Like many EVs, the EC40 also features a ‘frunk’ at the front of the car, which has enough room for a large squashy bag. It also provides a handy place to store the car’s charging cable when not in use.
Towing
The EC40 also steals a march on rivals when it comes to towing because it is capable of pulling a braked trailer or caravan of up to 1,800kg in Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance guises, which is higher than many petrol, diesel, or hybrid SUVs. The standard Single Motor and Single Motor Extended Range versions can still lug around a highly creditable 1,500kg trailer or caravan.
Reliability & safety
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With a strong reputation for safety, it’s no surprise to find that the Volvo is a reassuring family car choice. When Euro NCAP tested it under its old C40 Recharge guise in 2022, the EC40 scored the maximum five-star score, with an impressive 92 per cent rating for adult occupant protection. There’s also a wide range of driver assistance systems, including lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, an alert that warns you if anything is crossing behind you when you reverse, and autonomous emergency braking that can detect vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and large animals.
The EC40 hasn’t appeared in the Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, but the closely related XC40 has. It finished in 32nd place out of 50 models in the most recent best cars to own poll. Volvo also scored a thirteenth-place finish out of 31 on the best manufacturer scoreboard, which put it ahead of Audi (19th) but behind BMW (8th).
| Euro NCAP safety ratings | |
| Euro NCAP safety rating | Five stars (2022/C40 Recharge) |
| Adult occupant protection | 92% |
| Child occupant protection | 89% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 70% |
| Safety assist | 89% |
Buying and owning
- Best buy: Volvo EC40 Single Motor Extended Range Plus
Due to its bigger battery and resulting range, we’d opt for the Extended Range model for maximum convenience. We don’t see too much point in venturing away from the entry-level Plus trim, because this offers enough kit for most needs. Going with this specification means you’ll just about creep under the luxury car tax radar, too.
Volvo EC40 alternatives
Continuous growth in the premium compact electric SUV market means the EC40 isn’t short of rivals. Like the Volvo, the BMW iX2 is a coupe version of a standard SUV, in this case the BMW iX1. It’s not quite as smartly styled as its Swedish competitor, but the BMW is sharper to drive, slightly roomier and packed with more advanced tech. Another upmarket rival is the Audi Q4 e-tron, but this is slightly more focused on comfort rather than sportiness.
Key updates of the Volvo EC40 review
3 June 2026: Latest driving impressions and depreciation data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Like all Volvo models, the EC40 is covered by the brand’s standard three-year or 60,000-mile warranty, while the battery components are covered by a separate eight-year or 100,000-mile guarantee.
Deals on the EC40 and alternatives
