Volvo defies its reputation for sensibility with a style-over-substance EV.

It’s an exciting time for EV enthusiasts. Many established automakers are launching their first electric cars, each putting a different spin on the concept of zero-emission transportation. Some are taking this opportunity to reinvent brand images with radical designs, but not Volvo. The 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge—the Swedish automaker’s first mass-produced pure electric model without a gasoline counterpart—takes a conservative approach that’s rooted more in today than tomorrow.

The Volvo C40 Recharge is billed as a new car, but it’s more like a second body style of the Volvo XC40 Recharge crossover SUV, which in turn is an electric version of the Volvo XC40. Both models share a platform, powertrains, tech features, interior fittings, and a good amount of sheetmetal. The main differences between the two are the C40 Recharge’s sleeker roofline and different equipment and trim-level structures.

Unlike the XC40 Recharge, the C40 Recharge is offered in a single trim level that incorporates the standard and optional equipment from the XC40 Recharge. We spent a day driving this well-equipped EV around Palm Springs, California, to see how it compares to its sibling, and how it stacks up against EVs from other automakers.