Loading comparison
Volvo C40 Recharge vs Volvo EX30
Selected trimSingle Motor FWD · 2022-23Change trim272 mi · 69 kWh · £48,355
At a glance
The Volvo C40 Recharge was replaced by the Volvo EC40 in 2024. Compare the Volvo EC40 with the Volvo EX30
In this comparison, Volvo C40 Recharge leads on motorway range and running costs, while the Volvo EX30 leads on charging speed and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Volvo C40 Recharge if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.2p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the Volvo EX30 if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Volvo EX30 edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
Value
C40 Recharge
5.5
EX30
5.9
Too close to call
Motorway RangeC40 Recharge
C40 Recharge
3.9
EX30
2.7
Family
C40 Recharge
5.4
EX30
5
Too close to call
ChargingEX30
C40 Recharge
2.6
EX30
5.7
Cost Per MileC40 Recharge
C40 Recharge
4.5
EX30
3
City DrivingEX30
C40 Recharge
4.7
EX30
6.2
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Volvo C40 Recharge
Single Motor FWD
- 63 miles more WLTP range
- 1.7s quicker 0-62 mph
- 500 kg more towing capacity
Volvo EX30
Single Motor
- £15,295 cheaper
- 11 min quicker 10-80% rapid charge
- 30 kW more power
- 0.4 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Volvo C40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £48,355 | £33,060 (better) |
| Official range | 272 miles (better) | 209 miles |
| Boot space | 413 L (better) | 400 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 37 min | 26 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 7.4 sec (better) | 9.1 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Volvo C40 Recharge
Volvo EX30
Length
Volvo C40 Recharge4,440mm
Volvo EX304,233mm-207mm
Width
Volvo C40 Recharge1,863mm
Volvo EX301,838mm-25mm
Height
Volvo C40 Recharge1,596mm
Volvo EX301,550mm-46mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Volvo C40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,440 mm | 4,233 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,863 mm | 1,838 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,034 mm | 2,032 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,596 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.4 m | 11 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 537 mm spare | 562 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Volvo C40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 821 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 413 L (better) | 400 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1205 L (better) | 1000 L |
| Frunk | 31 L (better) | 7 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,500 kg (better) | 1,000 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Volvo C40 Recharge Single Motor FWD |  Volvo EX30 Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.44m | 4.23m-207mm |
| Width | 1.86m | 1.84m-25mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.03m | 2.03m-2mm |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.55m-46mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.65m-52mm |
| Ground Clearance | 175mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 413L (better) | 400L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1205L (better) | 1000L |
| Frunk | 31L (better) | 7L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 821mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.4m | 11m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,010kg | 1,840kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500kg (better) | 1,000kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 69kWh (better) | 51kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 272 mi (better) | 209 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW | 150kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £48,355 | £33,060 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Coupe SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2022–2023 | 2024+ |
* Volvo EX30: 11 kW AC on Core and Plus; Ultra has a 22 kW on-board charger.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Volvo C40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 272 miles (better) | 209 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 227 miles (better) | 149 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 37 min | 26 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 169 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 66 kWh (better) | 51 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Volvo C40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.4 sec (better) | 9.1 sec |
| Power | 170 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 330 Nm | 343 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Volvo C40 Recharge
Single Motor FWD
Volvo EX30
Single Motor
7.5/10
average across 6 reviews
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
- Parkers4.1/5
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Volvo C40 Recharge
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Volvo C40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £20,531 | £23,499 |
| Average used price | £20,730 | £25,831 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 6 listings | 15 listings (better) |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 1.2% over ~6 months | Up 2.6% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Volvo C40 Recharge Single Motor FWD
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant92%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users70%
Safety Assist89%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Volvo EX30 Single Motor
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant88%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users79%
Safety Assist80%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Volvo C40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range, seat comfort & space. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Volvo C40 Recharge
Single Motor FWD
Owners love
- Owners praise the quiet cabin, comfortable seats and build quality.
- The Google-based infotainment and the smooth one-pedal driving are widely liked.
- Even the entry Core trim is well equipped, with a reversing camera, parking sensors, a panoramic glass roof and a powered tailgate.
Watch out for
- Efficiency is modest: owners commonly see around 3 miles per kWh, and winter range falls to roughly 180-200 miles.
- Rear visibility through the sloping rear window is poor and rear headroom is tighter than in the XC40.
- Some owners find the ride firm over poor surfaces and the steering light.
Owner tips
- Owners recommend the rear-wheel-drive single motor (from 2023) over the earlier front-wheel-drive version for its better range and efficiency.
- Plan on around 190-200 miles of winter range rather than the WLTP figure.
Volvo EX30
Single Motor
Owners love
- Owners consistently praise the performance: even the single-motor car is quick, and the Twin Motor Performance is very fast.
- Build quality, seats and cabin materials are widely described as good for the price, with a light, modern interior.
- The ride and road holding win praise, and the compact footprint makes it easy to park.
Watch out for
- Almost every control lives on the centre touchscreen, and the lack of a driver display or head-up display is the most common complaint.
- Driver aids such as lane assist and speed-limit warnings are seen as intrusive, and must be switched off again at every start.
- Rear legroom and the boot are small, so owners call it a car for two adults rather than four.
Owner tips
- Pick the Single Motor Extended Range for the best balance of range, ride and price.
- Set climate, wipers and lights to auto and save a driver profile so you rarely need the screen on the move.
Buying options
Get a quote
Volvo C40 Recharge
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Volvo EX30
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Volvo C40 Recharge
- £20,5312023Car360View
- £20,9292023Car360View
Volvo EX30
- £27,5512025Car360View
- £26,1672024Car360View
- £23,4992024Browns of RichmondView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Volvo C40 Recharge worth the extra £15,295 over the Volvo EX30?
The Volvo C40 Recharge costs £15,295 more than the Volvo EX30. For that premium it adds 63 miles more WLTP range and a 1.7s quicker 0-62mph time. The Volvo EX30 is not just cheaper - it also offers 30 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Volvo EX30 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Volvo C40 Recharge or the Volvo EX30?
The Volvo EX30 is £15,295 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £176 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Volvo EX30 comes out roughly £15,255 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Volvo C40 Recharge and Volvo EX30 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 227 miles for the Volvo C40 Recharge and 149 miles for the Volvo EX30 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Volvo C40 Recharge goes roughly 78 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 37 minutes in the Volvo C40 Recharge and 26 in the Volvo EX30, so the Volvo EX30 loses less time at each stop. So the Volvo C40 Recharge stops less often while the Volvo EX30 stops for less time - pick on which you would rather do.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Volvo C40 Recharge or the Volvo EX30?
The two are within 25 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 562 mm of total clearance for the Volvo EX30 and about 537 mm of total clearance for the Volvo C40 Recharge. The Volvo EX30 also turns in a 0.4 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Volvo C40 Recharge or the Volvo EX30?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Volvo C40 Recharge and 90% for the Volvo EX30. That gives the Volvo EX30 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Volvo EX30's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Volvo C40 Recharge's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Volvo C40 Recharge comparisons
More Volvo EX30 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Volvo C40 Recharge and Volvo EX30 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Volvo C40 Recharge and Volvo EX30 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Volvo C40 Recharge and Volvo EX30 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Volvo C40 Recharge and Volvo EX30 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Volvo C40 Recharge and Volvo EX30 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Volvo C40 Recharge and Volvo EX30 rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Volvo C40 Recharge (2022-2024): Which Version, Range, Recalls & What to Check
A used Volvo C40 Recharge buyer’s guide: front vs rear-drive single motor, Twin 78 vs 82 kWh, the heat pump, warranty left, braking-software recalls, real-world and winter range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Volvo EX30 (2024 on): the Battery Recall, Which Version & What to Pay
A used Volvo EX30 buyer’s guide: the high-voltage battery recall and 70% charge cap, Single Motor vs Extended Range vs Twin Motor Performance, warranty, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .