Volvo EC40 review

This is the inevitable coupefied version of the EX40, itself the electric version of Volvo’s familiar XC40 crossover. In other words, a car surely required for Volvo to keep pace with the big three Germans (Audi, BMW and Mercedes, duh), which the Swedes traditionally offer a chilled-out alternative to.

What might be surprising is that this coupe version only comes with electric power. Or maybe not, given Volvo’s commitment to 50 per cent EV sales by 2025 and 100 per cent by 2030. But it's surely wilfully losing a few sales by not simply transplanting the XC40’s many and varied engines (petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric) into its more svelte sibling.

Looks smart though.

Certainly does. The XC40 is a stylish starting point, coming across as suitably solid and Swedish. Is some of that lost with the sleeker roof and filled-in grille? Possibly. But overall we're fans of Volvo's clean design. None of the overdone, chintzy lines you get with some rivals.

Speaking of which... this car goes up against stuff like the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, Skoda Enyaq Coupe, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.5, Mercedes EQA, BMW iX3, and Polestar 2 (with which it shares a platform). Some stiff competition in there.

What models are there?

There are three powertrain options: Single Motor, Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor. All nice and simple.

The Single Motor gets a 235bhp/310lb ft motor (good for 0–62mph in 7.3 seconds) with a 69kWh battery for 300 miles of official WLTP range. The Single Motor Extended Range has 248bhp/310lb ft (same 0–62mph) and a 78kWh battery that boosts the car to 346 miles. Both of those are RWD.

Then there's the AWD Twin Motor (which, again, shares its powertrain with the Polestar 2) which has a whopping 402bhp/494lb ft output that zings you to 62mph in 4.7s. The 82kWh battery here is good for up to 340 miles of official WLTP range. Punchy numbers for a relatively compact crossover.

Have they ruined it with tech though?

Actually, the whole experience is built around ‘simplicity’. It’s the word bandied about when you ask Volvo what this can do that the Polestar 2 can't. The EC40 is for those sick of being bombarded with a fistful of modes and a dizzying array of buttons when they climb inside a car.

Volvo’s even blanked off the starter button; instead you activate the motor(s) simply by sitting in the driver’s seat. That’s right, your bum now provides the ignition.

The infotainment system is run on Android (albeit developed heavily by Volvo) and works well, with Google Maps providing the satnav functionality. For once the native system is useful… There is Apple/Android connectivity, though, so you can use all the bits on your phone if you want.

And how does it drive? 

Honestly, the speediness of the Twin Motor feels a bit much: it looks rapid on paper, but it feels even faster when you’re driving it. Sheesh.

The Single Motor version is almost at the opposite end of the spectrum, with a far more chilled accelerator pedal. We prefer this more languid version of the car: it fits with the heavy, solid feel of the EC40. More over on the Driving tab of this review.

How much does it cost?

Prices start north of £51k for the base model, and climb beyond £55k for the Twin Motor. Jumping up to the top-spec trim will push you close to sixty grand. Eye-watering sums, but when Skoda is pitching the Enyaq Coupe for similar money... can you blame them? Full details over on the Buying tab.

The EC40 looks great and has all the zen interior ambience you’d hope for from a Volvo with a silent drivetrain. Volvo says it’s been penned with design as its priority, and you can tell. There are plenty of neat touches, nearly all with a wholesomely sustainable story to back up their materials. You'll also have gripes, almost all of them typical of a coupe-roofed SUV.

If you want a wilfully different electric crossover where practicality takes a slight backseat, Sweden already does a wholly convincing one of those, and priced from well under £50k too. It’s called the Polestar 2…