Volvo has made a new electric SUV. No, it’s not a Polestar, it’s a Volvo. A proper Volvo with the circular badges and everything. It’s called the C40, and it is a rival to the likes of the Audi E-Tron Sportback or the Jaguar I-Pace. It will also be a rival to the likes of the Tesla Model Y, which currently is one of the best-selling SUVs in America. The C40 is based on the XC40 platform, but the only difference is that the C40 has a sloping roofline at the rear and the whole rear of the car is a bit different.
The XC40 is also available in “Recharge” form (which is Volvo terminology for electricity). If you take the bodies off the two, both the XC40 and the C40 are the same car. Same interior, same motors, batteries, safety systems, etc. So what’s the point of the C40 then?
The C40 replaces the outgoing V40 hatchback. It’s not really a coupe version of the XC40 at all. In fact, the C40 is it’s own car completely despite being fully based on the XC40 platform. It still has the same sort of space the XC40 offers and boot space hasn’t really been affected all that much. Also, the C40 doesn’t really look too sporty either. Just because it has a sloped roofline now doesn’t instantly make it sporty. In fact, it looks more like a hatchback on stilts than a coupe. Now, that is expected since it does replace the V40 hatchback so the C40 then could be the entry-level Volvo model.
The price for the new C40 isn’t available yet. But the XC40 Recharge (the car it is based on) starts at almost $54,000 (pre incentives) which is a lot more than a base Model Y which starts at just under $50,000. Though you have to remember that the Model Y doe not have any Federal incentives at this point in time. The XC40 on the other hand does which ultimately makes it a far cheaper car.
The C40 may cost the same price as the XC40. It may cost more or even less. The only real difference between the two is the body, so Volvo may make you pay a premium for it. The C40 is more aerodynamic thanks to its slightly sloped body which will increase range by a tiny tiny bit.
Volvo also plans to sell the C40 online only. In fact, Volvo predicts that by 2025 50% of their car sales will be all online. Other marques will follow on so it seems the demise of the new car dealership has just begun. Volvo has also said that they and their suppliers are aiming to reduce their carbon footprint by 25% by 2025. A large task but Volvo is keen for it to be done. The C40 is a stepping stone into a fully electric lineup which Volvo wants by 2030.
Will The C40 Be Popular?
It could be. It looks pretty nice, inside and out and it is a comfortable car. The Volvo badge is getting more and more luxurious each year and it seems to has become a proper brand to rival the likes of Mercedes. The price is the price at the end of the day. It’s just right for an electric luxury small crossover SUV. The performance is pretty good too, as it does a 0-60 time of under 5 seconds.
The XC40 has been a hit already in the States, and many people have already ordered a Recharge model. Though, all US-bound Recharge models are currently stuck at US ports because of a technical fault with the car’s software. Hopefully, the C40 doesn’t have the same issues.
You just have to look at all the sloped roof SUVs on sale today to realize, people love a coupe-like SUV. They hold all the practicality (just about) of a normal SUV yet they look so much more stylish. The car which started off all of this was the BMW X6 back in 2008. Not many cars make their own sort of body style or category. But the X6 did. it was the pioneer of the SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) or the CUV (Coupe Utility Vehicle). There sure are many Volvo customers who would love a more stylish Volvo SUV because if there wasn’t Volvo would have never bothered with the C40.
But What About Polestar?
This is where I believe Volvo has shot themselves in the foot. Polestar is their new electric car brand and they have just launched the Polestar 2 sedan and soon the Polestar 3 SUV. The catch here is that the Polestar 2 is pretty much based on the XC40. It starts at a higher base MSRP but for what exactly? It feels like a Volvo in and out and it isn’t really that much more luxurious. Yes, it has a nicer interior layout and better seats but that’s it.
The Polestar brand isn’t exactly prestigious. In fact, it is completely unknown. The fact that Volvo now makes luxury electric cars is a weird one because so does Polestar which is their luxury electric brand. If Volvo were a standard economy brand like Toyota, then the Polestar brand would work fine. But they’re not and they never have been. Right now, they make luxurious cars and they have finally developed their own style which sets them apart from everyone else.
Maybe Polestar is the sportier brand then? That is possible since most modern Volvo cars are far from being sporty. Polestar has always been the sporty division of Volvo so this is possible. However, the Polestar 2 does a 0-60 time of under 5 seconds. the same time as the new C40 and XC40 Recharge. This then makes the Polestar 2 look even more of a waste of money. The C40 is just as stylish as the Polestar 2 and it has a more trustworthy badge. Yet it is a cheaper car and in my opinion, it completely obliterates the point of buying a Polestar 2 model.
Polestar is also launching an SUV which could look a bit like the C30. If it does, then Volvo would have shot themselves in the foot again. They are on the road to making a house fight. As in it’s going to be a rivalry game between Volvo and their company Polestar.
Should I Buy a C40?
In all honesty, yes. It will be cheaper than a Tesla Model Y after incentives and it looks far better in and out. It will feel more luxurious and it will be just as spacious. It looks better than the XC40 too. The range will be around 200 to 300 miles and charging to 80% can take place on a DC fast charger within 30 to 45 minutes. Don’t bother with a Polestar 2, the C40 is far better looking and more spacious.
Featured image credits via: autocar.co.uk