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Toyota bZ4X vs Volvo C40: Which One Wins?

Toyota bZ4X vs Volvo C40

Toyota bZ4X vs Volvo C40: Which One Wins?

With so many EVs on the market, it can be difficult to pick the right one for you and your household. Many manufacturers have thrown their hats in the EV arena, and picking the one that works for you is just as difficult as shopping for a normal car.

Take the Toyota bZ4X, for example, the first proper foray into EVs by the esteemed auto manufacturer. It presents great value, being spacious and affordable. Another great example is Volvo’s C40 Recharge, an EV that brings the manufacturer’s penchant for safety into a modern package.

How does the bZ4X stack up against the C40 Recharge? Both occupy a similar niche and price points, but one may very well have an edge. Whether you’re a curious passerby or someone with an EV purchase in your future, it is worth exploring.

Let’s take a closer look at the differences between these two vehicles and see which one comes out on top. Any large purchase makes exploring your options worth it so that you can be sure that it’s right for you.

Toyota bZ4X vs Volvo C40: Side-by-Side Comparison

Toyota bZ4XVolvo C40
Range252 miles226 miles
Height65 inches62.8 inches
Width73.2 inches75.2 inches
Length184.6 inches174.8 inches
Wheelbase112.2 inches106.4 inches
Front Headroom38.6 inches39.4 inches
Rear Headroom37.1 inches36.7 inches
Cargo Capacity27.7 cubic feet15 cubic feet
Curb Weight4,266 pounds4,737 pounds
Horsepower201 horsepower402 horsepower

Volvo C40 vs Toyota bZ4X: What’s the Difference?

Despite their similarities, these two vehicles have some striking differences. The bZ4X is the first ever fully electric vehicle from Toyota, and it shows. The C40 Recharge is the second purpose-built EV from Volvo, which bears the refinements you might expect from years of manufacture.

Performance

The Toyota bZ4X is underwhelming when it comes to performance. It offers rather anemic torque and acceleration, which is hindered further by its weight. It does have a higher capacity battery than the C40 Recharge, but there are a few trade-offs that come with it.

The higher capacity battery translates to an additional 26 miles of range, which is great if you’re looking for something with a high range. Handling isn’t too terrible, but you will notice some issues with power if you’ve got some trickier merge lanes to handle during your commute.

toyota bz4x vs volvo c40
The bZ4X is powered by the e-Axle, which integrates an electric motor, gears, and inverter.

If anything, the C40 Recharge is the winner for performance. It has a lesser range, for sure, but that isn’t much of a consideration when thinking about everything else it can do. It has fairly zippy acceleration, being roughly on par with the similar Tesla Model Y.

This translates to rather responsive handling, especially when driving on the highway. If you’re looking for high performance in an affordable package, the C40 Recharge will more than handle things as needed.

Interior and Cargo Capacity

The Toyota bZ4X has more overall cargo capacity, with an additional 12 cubic feet of storage space with the seats folded up when compared to the C40 Recharge. The passenger room suffers a bit in spite of this, with headroom being well below 38 inches for the front and rear passengers.

The leg room is adequate and should provide ample space for you and four other passengers. If you’re accustomed to crossover SUVs, this is more of the same. As such, it really comes down to how much you value that additional storage space.

The C40 Recharge is a solid choice if you’re looking for passenger comfort. It has more headroom, slightly more legroom, and is more spacious when looking at the interior design. However, it lacks cargo space, even when accounting for the front compartment.

This is mitigated somewhat when folding down the seats, but you’re losing on passenger seating this way. This is one of a few shortcomings that can be brought up when looking at what the C40 Recharge has to offer.

Infotainment and User Interface

The infotainment panel for the Toyota bZ4X is a rock-solid offering. It offers up smartphone mirroring, as well as a free three-year navigation subscription. The overall interface is quick to understand, which is a welcome sight when first using an EV.

Also available is wireless charging, which is starting to become the norm for EVs. You can expect the usual suspects in terms of smartphone compatibility, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Overall, there are very few complaints to be leveled at the performance of the infotainment panel and user interface of the Toyota EV.

Volvo C40 EV
The C40 Recharge is modeled on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform.

The C40 Recharge falters a bit in the implementation of its infotainment panel. It is clear and easy to read and comes with a full complement of Google Services. You’ll find free navigation, a smart assistant, and voice searching, among other features.

You’ll also be able to use your smartphone for further functionality, taking advantage of the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto protocols. Where it falters is in somewhat sluggish navigation and some questionable design choices. This might be fixed with further updates down the line, however.

Safety Features

The Toyota bZ4X comes with a host of safety features, as you might expect from the manufacturer. Beyond standard features like child protective locks and the like, you’ll also find things like blind spot monitoring.

The basic trim package also includes vehicle proximity indicators, front and rear braking assists, and the Toyota Safety Sense suite. Safety Sense has pedestrian detection, lane departure alerts, and additional features which are standard for both trim packages.

The Volvo C40 Recharge continues with Volvo’s sterling reputation for safety. It tests well in crash ratings and comes with a host of smart safety features. You’ll find lane-keep assists, adaptive cruise control, and cross-traffic alerts.

You, of course, get brake assists, and alerts for pedestrians as well. All of these features come together to make the Volvo C40 Recharge a great choice if you’re looking for a dependable and safe vehicle for you and your family.

Toyota bZ4X vs Volvo C40: 6 Must-Know Facts

  1. The Toyota bZ4X is Toyota’s first-ever original EV.
  2. The Toyota bZ4X doesn’t offer all-wheel drive like many other EVs on the market.
  3. The Toyota bZ4X comes with interior sound provided by JBL.
  4. The Volvo C40 Recharge is functionally identical to the XC40 Recharge.
  5. The Volvo C40 Recharge has faster charging than many of its competitors.
  6. The Volvo C40 Recharge has interior sound provided by Harman Kordon.

Toyota bZ4X vs Volvo C40: Which One Is Better? Which Should You Choose?

The clear winner in this shootout is the Volvo C40 Recharge. While it lacks a comparable range to the Toyota bZ4X, it more than makes up for it in numerous other categories.

It has higher overall performance, better torque, a more efficient drivetrain, and a whole host of other features. Volvo has been steadily refining its EV offerings, so it is great to see the C40 Recharge get the formula mostly right.

The Toyota bZ4X is a great initial offering and would be highly competitive just a few years ago. Toyota’s debut in the EV market is underwhelming. The potential for a great EV is there, but the corners cut for price’s sake make for a less-than-stellar package.

Given this is its first EV, one can only imagine Toyota will iron out any potential teething problems as time goes on. If you’re in the market for an EV, the Volvo C40 Recharge is the way to go. While it is the more expensive option of the two, you are definitely getting what you’re paying for with the C40.

It is still the early days of EVs, but some great offerings are already on the market. As with any EV purchase, make sure you have the ability to test-drive these vehicles before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you charge the C40 Recharge at home?

Yes, most EVs can charge at home. When you purchase an EV it will usually come with a basic 110-volt charger you can use with a standard home outlet.

Does the bZ4X support Apple CarPlay?

Yes, you can use your Apple iPhone with the Toyota EV.

Is navigation free with the Volvo C40 Recharge?

It comes with Google Maps built-in for free, as well as any services available on your smartphone.

Is the bZ4X all-wheel drive?

No, it is front-wheel drive.

What charging port does the bZ4X use?

It uses the J1772 and CHAdeMO charging protocols.

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