Volvo C40 - anything wrong with it?
Discussion
Been looking for an Volvo XC40 electric, and stumbled across the C40, which looks like the same thing but a coupe back. Brand new the C40 was more expensive than the XC40, pushing 60k in good spec.
Used prices seem to be trashed, I'm seeing low mileage 1-1.5year old cars for £26-27k. For example, a low spec car, but higher spec similar prices:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411286...
Trade in values for the above are just 20k, so there is a massive spread on retail price.
What is the depreciation curve likely to be on these over the next 3 years? I can't figure out if it's a complete bargain compared to the equivalent XC40 petrol, or they will be worth £12k in 3 years and nobody will want them. Volvo financial must have taken a bath on the future residual values from new, as most would be lease.
Looks like so far:
Year 0 - 55k
Year 1 - 22k trade, 28k retail
Year 2 - 20k trade 26k retail
Year 3 17/19k?
Year 4 14/16?
Year 5 12/14?
Used prices seem to be trashed, I'm seeing low mileage 1-1.5year old cars for £26-27k. For example, a low spec car, but higher spec similar prices:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411286...
Trade in values for the above are just 20k, so there is a massive spread on retail price.
What is the depreciation curve likely to be on these over the next 3 years? I can't figure out if it's a complete bargain compared to the equivalent XC40 petrol, or they will be worth £12k in 3 years and nobody will want them. Volvo financial must have taken a bath on the future residual values from new, as most would be lease.
Looks like so far:
Year 0 - 55k
Year 1 - 22k trade, 28k retail
Year 2 - 20k trade 26k retail
Year 3 17/19k?
Year 4 14/16?
Year 5 12/14?
No idea on future values but that is the same car we have had since new (2 years now on 3 y lease). I would buy another and you are right; the prices do look tempting.
If you are going to buy one make sure it is the RWD model. Early versions (mine) are FWD and, as a used buyer, should be avoided. Not because they are crap, far from it; just because RWD is far better at nearly everything and I suspect the general public are oblivious to the change therfore the price won't be higher.
Range is 220 miles in summer with careful 67mph motorway cruising dropping to 190 in winter. Office is 198miles round trip so annoying and means a splash at Beaconsfields
If you are going to buy one make sure it is the RWD model. Early versions (mine) are FWD and, as a used buyer, should be avoided. Not because they are crap, far from it; just because RWD is far better at nearly everything and I suspect the general public are oblivious to the change therfore the price won't be higher.
Range is 220 miles in summer with careful 67mph motorway cruising dropping to 190 in winter. Office is 198miles round trip so annoying and means a splash at Beaconsfields
Uncle boshy said:
Been thinking the same.
From what I can tell the main criticisms seem to be headroom and visibility in the rear and the reduction in boot size vs xc40. Also not enough differentiation vs xc40
Just seen this comment. I'm 186cm and have no issues. My son is 186 too ( although he claims 187) and is fine in the back behind the OH who likes her seat very far back. Rear vis is crap but it's never been an issue. From what I can tell the main criticisms seem to be headroom and visibility in the rear and the reduction in boot size vs xc40. Also not enough differentiation vs xc40
Edited by TheDrownedApe on Thursday 16th January 19:51
Mrs SA had one as a company car for about a year and a half. I didn't drive it much myself but it seemed OK. Steering always felt a bit light and I didn't really enjoy driving it.
The sloping roof at the back does make it a bit more challenging for taller passengers to get in and out, and headroom inside isn't over generous. It also had annoying inside lights in the dash and door panels which can be switched off in the system, but re-activate quite frequently.
Our biggest gripe was range. While Mrs SA is home-based, going to the office maybe 4x a year, the distance from home to the office and back was too much (quite an achievement in Belgium!). The claimed range was supposed to be 400km but in reality it was max 350. In the winter less than 200. To be fair, we had the charger placed outside which apparently is not ideal, especially in cold weather.
Here in Belgium only 50% of the costs of ICE company cars are allowed in the accounts, which pushes companies toward electric. Her office has parking for 80 cars and 2 chargers. The electricity supply - despite the site being a brand new business park - doesn't allow for any more. The charging infrastructure in general is also quite limited. In NL, by comparison there are chargers everywhere which make it a much more practical solution.
The sloping roof at the back does make it a bit more challenging for taller passengers to get in and out, and headroom inside isn't over generous. It also had annoying inside lights in the dash and door panels which can be switched off in the system, but re-activate quite frequently.
Our biggest gripe was range. While Mrs SA is home-based, going to the office maybe 4x a year, the distance from home to the office and back was too much (quite an achievement in Belgium!). The claimed range was supposed to be 400km but in reality it was max 350. In the winter less than 200. To be fair, we had the charger placed outside which apparently is not ideal, especially in cold weather.
Here in Belgium only 50% of the costs of ICE company cars are allowed in the accounts, which pushes companies toward electric. Her office has parking for 80 cars and 2 chargers. The electricity supply - despite the site being a brand new business park - doesn't allow for any more. The charging infrastructure in general is also quite limited. In NL, by comparison there are chargers everywhere which make it a much more practical solution.
Wife has been driving c40 awd since March 2025. Range is terrible. Largely because efficiency is poor - my bmw iX50 is better. Ride not good. May get another (lease about to end) as we know the seats suit my wife’s back (big issue for her). Spring 2023 they changed single motor from front drive to rear drive, improved efficiency and increased battery size. Been monitoring used prices for a while and there was a sudden influx of stock on autotrader yesterday
oop north said:
Wife has been driving c40 awd since March 2025. Range is terrible. Largely because efficiency is poor - my bmw iX50 is better. Ride not good. May get another (lease about to end) as we know the seats suit my wife’s back (big issue for her). Spring 2023 they changed single motor from front drive to rear drive, improved efficiency and increased battery size. Been monitoring used prices for a while and there was a sudden influx of stock on autotrader yesterday
Thats interesting, I test drove the xc40 single motor with 19inch alloys, and the ride was fairly firm but acceptable for the class, it didn't crash on potholes but the suspension was a bit noisy. However it's likely a long way from an x5 which is a much bigger platform and two classes above.I suspect as electric range starts getting towards a claimed 500 miles (maybe 350-400 in real life), that will be become the norm in 3-4 years, and these cars that barely crack 150 in the winter will be made quite redundant.
Used XC40 was on our shortlist but C40 now preferred due to its lower price and better spec (they have the glass roof). Took a twin motor out today and the performance is a bit daft but don’t think there’s a massive saving in going for the single motor (and can’t work out which cars are FWD or RWD anyway!). Aim is to keep it for 5 years so depreciation isn’t as much of a concern. Yes the rear headroom isn’t as good as in the XC40 but is sufficient for us.
horaldo72 said:
Used XC40 was on our shortlist but C40 now preferred due to its lower price and better spec (they have the glass roof). Took a twin motor out today and the performance is a bit daft but don’t think there’s a massive saving in going for the single motor (and can’t work out which cars are FWD or RWD anyway!). Aim is to keep it for 5 years so depreciation isn’t as much of a concern. Yes the rear headroom isn’t as good as in the XC40 but is sufficient for us.
Yes the visibility out back is poor but the 360 camera goes some way to solving that issue.We looked at nearly-new XC40 EVs but the "spread" put me off too.
I was also miffed that the Volvo "specialist" showing us the car was absolutely adamant that it was front wheel drive - they changed to RWD a couple of years ago. He said it didn't need buttons on the dash (it did look up-market though compared to Hyundai etc) as everything works by voice - but then he couldn't get it to work.
I read horror stories of them going wrong - I think they had to take them off sale in the US as if the screen blanks you couldn't see the speed. Efficiency put me off too - range not so much of an issue, but no-one seems to get even 3 miles per kWh from them. The XC40 we were looking at was on 20" All Season tyres with a staggered set up with the rears being £300 each - however I've seen some astonishing claims for how long they last, some owners claiming virtually no wear at 20K miles. Don't think it had wireless CarPlay (not 100% on that).
Around where we are (Chester) there seems to absolutely loads of XC40's and a fair number of C40's - very popular "yummy mummy" car.
I was also miffed that the Volvo "specialist" showing us the car was absolutely adamant that it was front wheel drive - they changed to RWD a couple of years ago. He said it didn't need buttons on the dash (it did look up-market though compared to Hyundai etc) as everything works by voice - but then he couldn't get it to work.
I read horror stories of them going wrong - I think they had to take them off sale in the US as if the screen blanks you couldn't see the speed. Efficiency put me off too - range not so much of an issue, but no-one seems to get even 3 miles per kWh from them. The XC40 we were looking at was on 20" All Season tyres with a staggered set up with the rears being £300 each - however I've seen some astonishing claims for how long they last, some owners claiming virtually no wear at 20K miles. Don't think it had wireless CarPlay (not 100% on that).
Around where we are (Chester) there seems to absolutely loads of XC40's and a fair number of C40's - very popular "yummy mummy" car.
Sheepshanks said:
We looked at nearly-new XC40 EVs but the "spread" put me off too.
Efficiency put me off too - range not so much of an issue, but no-one seems to get even 3 miles per kWh from them.
Just checked my record and even though i drive my c40 with a heavy right foot i still manage over 3 (only just though).Efficiency put me off too - range not so much of an issue, but no-one seems to get even 3 miles per kWh from them.
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