Volvo C40 Recharge vs Polestar 2

Polestar is one of the newest brands in the automotive firmament, but it still has a connection to an established automaker.

The Polestar name originally belonged to an independent motorsports and tuning company focused on modifying Volvos. It was eventually acquired by the Swedish automaker, and for a short time became its performance sub-brand, similar to Mercedes-AMG or BMW M. Volvo then decided to reassign the Polestar name to a new brand focused on electric vehicles. Launched for the 2021 model year, the Polestar 2 was the new brand’s first volume model, following the limited-edition Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid.

Polestar has other EVs planned, but for now the 2 remains its sole offering. The 2024 Polestar 2 gets some notable upgrades, including a range boost, revised styling, and some powertrain changes. All of that helps keep the 2 fresh in the face of competition like the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6.

Polestar keeps its lineup simple. In Canada, buyers can choose between Long Range Single Motor and Long Range Dual Motor configurations, the latter available with a Performance Pack. We sampled the single-motor Polestar 2 for this review.

It’s an exciting time for EV enthusiasts. Many established automakers are launching their first electric cars, each putting a different spin on the concept of zero-emission transportation. Some are taking this opportunity to reinvent brand images with radical designs, but not Volvo. The 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge—the Swedish automaker’s first mass-produced pure electric model without a gasoline counterpart—takes a conservative approach that’s rooted more in today than tomorrow.

The Volvo C40 Recharge is billed as a new car, but it’s more like a second body style of the Volvo XC40 Recharge crossover SUV, which in turn is an electric version of the Volvo XC40. Both models share a platform, powertrains, tech features, interior fittings, and a good amount of sheet metal. The main differences between the two are the C40 Recharge’s sleeker roofline and different equipment and trim-level structures.

Unlike the XC40 Recharge, the C40 Recharge is offered in a single trim level that incorporates the standard and optional equipment from the XC40 Recharge. We spent our test drive in this well-equipped EV around Palm Springs, California, to see how it compares to its sibling, and how it stacks up against EVs from other automakers.