Volvo C40 Recharge vs Volvo XC60

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are smart for certain consumers. They allow people to give electric vehicle ownership a try before diving into the deep end of the pool by acclimating people to nightly plug-ins and the benefits of electric-only driving.

At the same time, they eliminate a phenomenon called “range anxiety,” which is the mild panic EV drivers may feel when their battery gets low. That’s because they also have a gasoline engine, and that means you can take a cross-country trip in one without ever needing to find a charging station.

Talk about a win-win situation. And among luxury PHEVs, the 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge is an appealing choice. But it certainly does not come cheap.

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.