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VolvoEC40 (2021-)

Available new
Compact/Small SUV
Electric

£40,855Typical price

Test score

where to buy or sell

The version of this car that we've reviewed might not be available to buy through all listed retailer links. For more options, see our guides on where to buy a car and how to sell a car.

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The Volvo EC40 (2021-) is a medium-size pure-electric car from Sweden. Launched in 2021, updated in 2023 and renamed in 2024, it’s effectively a sleeker-looking coupé version of the boxy XC40. It competes against SUV coupé rivals like the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback and Skoda Enyaq. How does it compare? Find out in our full Volvo EC40 review.

pros

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cons

What's included?

What is it?
What’s it great at?
What’s it like to drive?
How reliable are Volvo electric cars?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Apr 2024Last checked by Which?
Mar 2023First reviewed by Which?
Jun 2021Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

19 Oct 2023

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes
Electric car range

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (small SUVs and medium cars)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of three stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Which? safety

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Compact/Small SUV
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Available new
New price	£40,855 - £54,801
Fuel type	Electric
Tested fuel efficiency	3.24mi/kWh
Length	4,440mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,873mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,040mm
Height	1,591mm
Driver max height
Second row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	11.7 m
On sale date	03 June 2021
Lowest pence per mile cost	£7.56

Latest tested engine
Engine name	Pure Electric Single Motor
Fuel type	Electric
Battery capacity
Energy required for full charge
Charging losses
Transmission	Single-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Tested fuel efficiency (mi/kWh)
Cost per mile	7.56p per mile
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	0
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	96
Tested electric range (miles)
Official Euro emission level	Electric - N/A
Braked tow load (KG)	1500kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	12 December 2022
Test programme	2017

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All new and used car advice

VolvoEC40 (2021-)

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pros

cons

What's included?

How we test cars

Ease of driving

Performance

Comfort and practicality

Euro NCAP

Which? safety

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Brand reliability 10-15 years

How this product's score compares with other new and used cars we've tested

Suggested Alternatives

Kia

Renault

Seat

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VolvoEC40 (2021-)

where to buy or sell

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Test results

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Suggested Alternatives

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Seat

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