VOLVO EC40 ESTATE 325kW TM Perf Ultra Black Edition 82kWh 5dr Auto

Volvo's EC40 shows the Swedish brand really getting into gear with its EVs. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

Volvo knows it needs more SUVs. And it needs more electric vehicles. This EC40 model, originally known as the C40 Recharge, delivers both in one package and shows clearly the direction the brand is heading in the future. There's a base rear-driven version. And a state-of-the-art fully-electric all-wheel-drive powertrain that offers a WLTP-rated range of 274 miles on a single charge and an output of 408hp. The drawback is premium pricing but otherwise, a lot of boxes seem to have been ticked here.

Background

Given that Volvo's been making overt noises about full electrification for a decade now, it's something of a surprise to realise that at its launch in 2022, the model we're looking at here introduced the company's very first exclusively electric model line. Back then, it was called the C40 Recharge, a car substantially updated in 2023, then renamed the EC40 in early 2024. As you might expect, the EC40 borrows everything that matters from Volvo's very first all-electric model, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric (now known as the EX40). But clothes that powertrain with more unique styling and a more swept-back coupe-style silhouette. Think of the two models as something akin to what Audi already offers in this segment with its Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron SUVs and you'll be somewhere close to what Volvo is trying to do here. Like the EX40, the EC40 will be sold primarily online. And, as with that car, it rolls down the production lines of Volvo's Belgium factory in Ghent.

Driving Experience

As with the EX40, there are three flavours of EC40 on offer. Most customers will opt for the 69kWh 'Single Motor' version, which was once (in this car's original C40 Recharge form) front-driven, but the Swedish maker's now moved the e-motor to the rear axle and slightly uprated its output to 238hp. Without any real impact on performance - rest to 62mph is dispatched in 7.3s on the way to the 112mph top speed that all Volvos these days share. EV driving range is WLTP-rated at up to 299 miles (four miles further than the equivalent base EX40). Ideally though, you'd want to stretch at least as far as the mid-level 'Single Motor 'Extended Range' mid-level rear-driven model we tried, which has 252hp and uses a larger 82kWh battery providing for a 360 mile range (2 miles further than its EX40 equivalent). The faster EC40 alternative is the 'Twin Motor' AWD variant, which uses a larger 82kWh battery pack and twin electric motor set-up that has adopted different front and rear e-motors, with 150hp and 258hp respectively. These provide for a prodigious 408hp total power output figure in the standard Twin Motor model, but if for some unfathomable reason that's not enough, you can boost it further to 442hp with the optional 'Performance' software upgrade that comes included with the two added 'Black Edition' trim grades; this upgrade was one of the few changes introduced as part of this design's transition to 'EC40' status. Even with a standard Twin Motor EC40 variant, performance is startling, a massive 670Nm of torque (at which point the main motor is spinning at a heady 14,000rpm), catapulting the car to 62mph in just 4.7s. EV range with a Twin Motor EC40 is up to 340 miles (8 miles further than the equivalent EX40), with a 337 mile figure claimed for the Twin Motor Performance version. Whatever kind of EC40 you choose, to get the kind of range figure that Volvo claims, you'll need to engage what the Swedish maker calls 'One Pedal Drive', selectable from the 'Driving' menu provided on this centre-dash screen. This dramatically increases the regenerative braking effect when you come off the throttle, to the point where the brake pedal will hardly ever be needed.

Design and Build

Though the EC40 is created from the building blocks of its EX40 showroom stablemate, Volvo wanted to add in some extra athleticism and lightness to the silhouette, as well as some appealing extra details. So there's a sleek profile and a set of emblematic segmented vertical rear lights. Up-front, the signature Thor's hammer headlights are augmented with neat pixel LEDs which automatically adjust to light conditions and switch on and off independently to optimise the light pattern. As usual with coupe-style SUVs, there are really big wheels. Inside, the design is all about light and freedom of space. Which is why there's lots of glass and a big panoramic roof that enhances the airiness of the cabin. The interior features a signature 'Fjord Blue' colouring for the large swathes carpet that extend up from the floor to the sides of the centre console and the front doors. The dashboard and the front door panels feature backlit translucent graphics with a smart atmospheric three-dimensional effect. The EC40 delivers Volvo's first leather-free interior, the main upholstery option containing naturally renewable wool fibres; the alternative uses a combination of suede textile (made of recycled plastic) and microtech material. There's plenty of room for two adults at the back - though it would be a squash with three. And the boot capacity is the same as that of the EX40, rated at 404-litres to the glassline. Plus there's an extra 'frunk' area beneath the bonnet for the storage of charging cables, offering an additional 31-litres of capacity.

Market and Model

The EC40 comes with a choice of single or dual-motor powertrains and a choice of either 'Plus' or 'Ultra' levels of trim. Prices start from around £52,500 for the base 69kWh Single Motor rear-driven version, while the rear-driven 82kWh Single Motor Extended Range variant costs from around £54,500. The 82kWh Twin Motor model costs from just under £58,000. Primarily, ordering will be online, though you can do that from a dealer showroom if you'd prefer to have someone guide you through the process. Rather than buying outright, the brand expects most customers to use its 'Care by Volvo' subscription options - there two, both with no deposit and both including servicing and maintenance. There's a 'Flexible' contract, which includes a 30 day trial period at the beginning and requires three month's notice before contract end. Or you can take out a subscription-based contract with a fixed 36 month tariff. The standard subscription rate gives you 6,000 annual miles and customers can top up their limit at the rate of £15 a month for each additional 2000 mile block, up to 10,000 miles, and then add £10 extra on top for the maximum limit of 12,000 miles. Whichever trim level you decide upon, there's plenty of equipment included - as you'd hope given the figures being asked here. Tick off automatic LED headlights with active high beam, high gloss black roof rails, rear parking sensors, a powered tailgate and 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside, across the range there's 2-Zone climate control, a 12.3-litre 'Progressive Driver Display' instrument cluster screen, a wireless 'phone charger and heated front seats with lumbar support. Media stuff's taken care of by a 9-inch Centre Console Portrait Touch Screen with navigation, a 250-watt 8-speaker DAB audio system, voice recognition, wired 'Apple CarPlay' and four years' use of Google Automotive Services.

Cost of Ownership

We've already given you this EC40 model's operating range in our 'Driving Experience' section; a maximum of 299 miles for the base Single Motor model, up to 360 miles for the Single Motor Extended Range variant and up to 340 miles for the Twin Motor version. Across the range, Volvo claims an electrical consumption figure of between 3.6-3.8 miles-per-kWh. All these figures position this car competitively in its segment, but they're still some way from being up with the class-leaders; thank this Swedish contender's portly kerb weight (around 2-tonnes) for that. Even to achieve this Volvo's stated figure, you're going to need to make a lot of use of the 'One Pedal Drive' feature that maximises regenerative braking. Still, at least charging times are competitive. The base Single Motor model DC charges at up to 135kW and the Single Motor Extended Range version DC charges at up to 155kW, meaning a 10-80% public DC charge now requires 33 minutes. The top Twin Motor version DC charges at up to 205kW, which reduces the 10-80% DC charge time to 28 minutes. As for AC charging from home, well with a typical single-phase 7.4kW garage wallbox, for a full charge you'd need 11 hours with the base 69kWh battery, 12 hours with the mid-level 82kWh battery and 13 hours with the Twin Motor version's 82kWh battery. You could reduce these durations to around 8 hours with a faster 3-phase 11kW supply. There are of course, lots of taxation advantages in running an EV. With this one, as with its main rivals, you'll be rated at just 3% for BiK Benefit-in-Kind taxation until this is reviewed in 2026.

Summary

This model, in the company's own words, is 'the future of Volvo'. Over 75% of the cars the company sells these days are SUVs. In future, 100% of them will be EVs. But not yet. And certainly not at the kind of prices the Swedish maker is asking for this EC40 in its current forms. For the time being, you can't help but feel that many of those who choose an EC40 are people who would have also been quite satisfied with the EX40 crossover model it's based on. Volvo talks of the need for the kind of younger demographic who'll presumably find the EC40's more coupe-style looks appealing. But then adds that it expects older folk to like it too. Ultimately, no one is quite sure how precisely the EV market is going to develop. But Volvo is keen to make sure all the bases are covered.

Body Glass

Dark tinted windows - rear side windows and rear screen

Front and rear electric windows

Front intermittent wipers

Rain sensor with automatic windscreen wiper activation

Brakes

Electronic parking brake with auto hold

Hill descent control - Off-road drive mode

Hill start assist

Stability and traction control includes spin control and corner traction control

Vehicle deceleration control with Anti-lock Brake System, Electronic Brake Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist

Carpets/Rugs

Floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

Electric front and rear axle drive

Touring chassis

Communication

Bluetooth handsfree system

Volvo on call with charge station locations and route planning and pre climatisation

Wired Android Auto

Wired Apple CarPlay

Wireless/Inductive Mobile Phone Charging

Driver Aids

Emergency services call system

Handsfree tailgate opening/closing

Driver Convenience

360 degree surround view parking camera with side proximity sensors

Adaptive cruise control

Adjustable steering wheel force

Driver alert control with lane keeping aid

Driver Understanding System (Eye Tracking)

Front park assist sensor

Intelligent speed assistance

Oncoming Lane Mitigation

Performance drive mode

Rear park assist sensors

Driver Information

12.3" Progressive Driver Display

9" centre console touch screen

Digital owner's manual

Emergency and breakdown call function

Google automotive services - Enabled entertainment apps, navigation with google maps, voice recognition with google assistant

OTA Updates

Volvo cars services with app

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming interior mirror

Electric adjustable/heated/auto folding door mirrors

Engine

Lithium-ion battery

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

Low speed exterior sound speaker

Premium Sound by Harman Kardon, Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound, Dirac Unison,12 speakers/600W and subwoofer

Steering wheel remote infotainment controls

Exterior Body Features

Fixed panoramic sunroof with high gloss black rear roof panel

Front metal tread plates engraved with EC40

High gloss black front bumper deco

High gloss black front grille strikethrough and ironmark

High gloss black rear model and engine and volvo logo badges

High gloss black rear skid plate

High gloss black tailgate spoiler

High gloss black window trim

Integrated roof rails in black

Rear side wing doors

Roof antenna

Visible VIN plate

Exterior Lights

Active bending pixel LED headlights with adaptive shadow technology

Adaptive brake lights with high level LED brake lights

Automatic headlamp levelling

Headlight cleaning system

Home safe and approach lighting

LED daytime running lights

LED front fog lamps with cornering function

Puddle lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

2 zone electronic climate control with Clean zone air quality system and pollen filter

Heat pump (Enhanced cabin heating and cooling efficiency with optimal vehicle range)

Interior Features

12V socket in front tunnel console

3 Spoke tailored steering wheel with chrome trim

Centre console cupholders and storage

Charcoal headlining

Connect suede textile/microtech upholstery

Flexible load floor and grocery bag holder

Front door pocket illumination

Front load compartment (31 litres)

Glovebox bag hook

Height/reach adjustable steering column

High gloss black centre tunnel deco

Integrated waste bin

Load cover

Load protection net

One pedal drive mode

Rear armrest with cupholder

Rear coat hook

Sports steering wheel

Underfloor cargo storage

Interior Lights

Front and rear courtesy lights

Front and rear reading lights

Front footwell illumination

Front side step illumination (under door)

Illuminated glovebox

Illuminated luggage compartment

Illuminated tailgate

Instrument panel and front door inlay lighting

Packs

Climate pack - EC40/EX40

Driver assist pack with auto dimming rearview mirror - EX40

Safety

3x3 point rear seatbelts

City safety with steering support with Pedestrian + cyclist + front collision warning with full auto brake and rear auto brake

Driver and passenger airbags

Drivers knee airbag

First aid kit

Front and outer rear seatbelt reminder and pretensioners

Front seats SIPS airbags

IC (Inflatable Curtains) - Full Length

ISOFIX attachment (Front passenger and Rear outer seats)

Passenger airbag cut-off device

Power child locks on rear doors

Road sign information display

Run off Road Mitigation

Run off Road Protection

SIPS (Side Impact Protection System)

Slippery road and hazard light alert

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Warning triangle

WHIPS whiplash protection system - front

Seats

3 bench rear seats in 2nd row

60/40 versatile split folding rear seat

Front headrests

Front seat cushion extensions

Heated front seats

Multi directional lumbar support

Power driver seat with memory + exterior mirrors memory

Power folding rear headrests

Power passenger seat

Single front passenger seat

Security

2 x Key integrated remote control central locking including recharging port with deadlocking system and auto open/close power windows

Anti-theft alarm including immobiliser/volume sensor + level sensor

Care key with user defined top speed

Convenient entry and start

Keyless drive with keyless entry and keyless start

Locking wheel nuts

Private locking for tailgate

Remote door locking and unlocking

Vanity Mirrors

Illuminated vanity mirrors + ticket holder

Vehicle Charging

11 kW three phase onboard charger

6m 3 phase 32 amp type 2 / mode 3 charge cable

Plug and charge

Type 2/CCS recharging port located in nearside rear wing

Wheels

Summer tyres

Wheels - Alloy

20" 5 spoke high gloss black alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Tyre sealant kit and compressor

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: N

Battery Capacity in kWh: 82

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 2520

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.4

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 1500

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 3.8

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 780

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 7.6

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): 28

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: 10-80

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: 205

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Charging Port Location: Left Side Rear

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 205

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Usable Battery Capacity: 79

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 18.7

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 17.7

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 3.3

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 3.5

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 539

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH: 510

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL: 541

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 334.9

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH: 316.9

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL: 336.2

Emissions - ICE

CO: N

CO2 (g/km): 0

HC: N

HC+NOx: N

Noise Level dB(A): N

NOx: N

Particles: N

Standard Emissions: N

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

CC: 1

Compression Ratio: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Cylinders: N

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

Engine Code: N

Engine Layout: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Gears: 1 SPEED

Number of Valves: N

Transmission: AUTO

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Combined (mpg): N

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Urban (mpg): N

General

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Badge Power: 442

Based On ID: N

Coin Description: 325kW Twin Motor Performance

Coin Series: Ultra Black Edition

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Generation Mark: 1

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 41E

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 92

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 89

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 70

NCAP Safety Assist %: 89

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Service Interval Mileage: 18000

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Performance

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 4.6

Engine Power - BHP: 442

Engine Power - KW: 325

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 494

Engine Torque - MKG: 68.3

Engine Torque - NM: 670

Engine Torque - RPM: N

Top Speed: 112

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Front: 235/45 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 255/40 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Style: 5 SPOKE

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Height: 1596

Height (including roof rails): N

Length: 4440

Wheelbase: 2702

Width: 1938

Width (including mirrors): 2034

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2620

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1310

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 404

Max. Loading Weight: 510

Max. Roof Load: 75

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1800

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Minimum Kerbweight: 2110

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.4

Exterior Body Features

Additional Metallic paint

Body colour A-pillars, roof side cant-rail, door mirror and roof spoiler

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Crystal white

Metallic - Denim blue

Metallic - Onyx black

Metallic - Vapour grey

Towing

Retractable towbar

Trim - Cloth

Connect suede textile/microtech - Charcoal + carpet and mats, door panel insert and centre armrest, cutting edge inlay and standard gearknob