Top Safety Pick +

2023 Volvo C40 Recharge

small SUV / 4-door SUV

Fully electric

2023 Volvo C40 Recharge 4-door SUV — 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system	Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system	Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Standard rear automatic braking

Key

G
Good
A
Acceptable
M
Marginal
P
Poor

Superior
Advanced
Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge EV 4-door 4wd

The Volvo XC40 Recharge, a new electric SUV, was introduced in the 2021 model year and the Volvo C40 Recharge was introduced in the 2022 model year. Beginning with 2025 models, the XC40 Recharge became known as the EX40 and the C40 Recharge became known as the EC40.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was very low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN2103
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Footrest (cm)	3
Left toepan (cm)	2
Brake pedal (cm)	1
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Upper dash (cm)	4
Lower instrument panel (cm)	3

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN2103
Head
HIC-15	52
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	15
Maximum Nij	0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm)	19
Femur (kN)
Left	0.4
Right	0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.48
Right	0.35
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	0.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	48
Right	20

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge EV 4-door 4wd

The Volvo XC40 Recharge, a new electric SUV, was introduced in the 2021 model year and the Volvo C40 Recharge was introduced in the 2022 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 XC40 Recharge conducted by Volvo. Beginning with 2025 models, the XC40 Recharge became known as the EX40 and the C40 Recharge became known as the EC40.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2104
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Footrest (cm)	6
Right toepan (cm)	2
Center toepan (cm)	1
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Upper dash (cm)	3
Right lower dash (cm)	3

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2104
Head
HIC-15	77
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm)	5
Maximum Nij	0.14
Chest maximum compression (mm)	20
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.41
Right	0.86
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	2.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	41
Right	63

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2104
Head
HIC-15	39
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	4
Maximum Nij	0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm)	24
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.45
Right	0.24
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	23
Right	26

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge EV 4-door 4wd

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the moderate overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head contacted the side curtain airbag during rebound.

Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and all leg and foot injury measures were low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2102
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	12
Left (cm)	13
Center (cm)	11
Right (cm)	11
Brake pedal (cm)	13
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	1
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	0
Rearward (cm)	-3
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2102
Head
HIC-15	266
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm)	13
Maximum Nij	0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.3
Femur force - right (kN)	0.4
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1
Maximum tibia index - left	0.20
Maximum tibia index - right	0.47
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	1.8
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	1.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	54
Right	36

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Twin Ultimate EV 4-door 4wd

The Volvo C40 Recharge was introduced in the 2022 model year. Beginning with 2025 models, the C40 Recharge became known as the EC40.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	CES2207
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-20.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2207
Head HIC-15	74
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2
Compression (kN)	0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	38
Lateral force (kN)	1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	36
Average deflection (mm)	31
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.62
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.82
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.8
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.3
Combined force (kN)	2.0
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.5
L-M moment (Nm)	41
A-P moment (Nm)	-20

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2207
Head HIC-15	120
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.3
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	14
Lateral force (kN)	1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	29
Average deflection (mm)	25
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.78
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.42
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.2
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.1
Combined force (kN)	2.2
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.3
L-M moment (Nm)	46
A-P moment (Nm)	-25

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2022-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Volvo XC40 T5 Momentum 4-door 4wd

Ratings apply to the Volvo XC40 Recharge (tested) and the structurally similar 2022 C40 Recharge.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	3,811 lbs
Peak force	19,949 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	5.23

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Power leather seat
Geometry
Backset (mm)	6
Distance below top of head (mm)	28
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	11.0
Head contact time (ms)	49
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	64
Max neck tension (N)	236

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Trim level(s)

Ultimate trim equipped with Pixel LED Headlights package

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on the gradual left curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Ultimate trim equipped with Pixel LED Headlights package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2022-24 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	83.4 m	None
Straightaway left edge	64.0 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	93.9 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	46.7 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	83.5 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	68.6 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	173.0 m
Straightaway left edge	166.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	99.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	91.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	78.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	76.3 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Standard Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2022-23 models

Superior

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

standard Collision Warning with Full Autobrake

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2022-24 models

Advanced

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 8 mph.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 17 mph.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 26 mph. A warning was issued 1.8 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	T5 Momentum
Seat type	leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	T5 Momentum
Seat type	leather

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	difficult to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	difficult to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	14
Clearance angle (degrees)	27
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	4
Clearance angle (degrees)	21
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	13
Clearance angle (degrees)	21
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	6
Clearance angle (degrees)	21
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation