Among electrified vehicles, compact crossover SUVs have enormous appeal. Their efficient packaging can accommodate a battery pack without intruding on passenger and cargo space. And like their gasoline-engine counterparts, electric compact SUVs are easy to maneuver and convenient to load at warehouse stores.
The Tesla Model Y and Volvo C40 Recharge are two options to consider in this class. Introduced for 2020, the Model Y outsells all other Tesla models. It's also the top-selling electric SUV in the United States. The 2022 Tesla Model Y is longer, wider, and taller than the Volvo.
Launched in early 2022, the Volvo C40 Recharge is Volvo's first all-electric SUV. The C40's sportback-type roofline is trending among compact premium SUVs, but it squeezes headroom and cargo capacity. In its favor, the Volvo has a more conventional and ergonomic interior design with more straightforward controls and a newer infotainment system.
Like many electric-vehicle (EV) models sold in the U.S., the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge uses the Electrify America network of Level 3 DC fast chargers (DCFC). You've likely heard about this network's rapid expansion, but EV owners rate it lower than Tesla's Supercharger network in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Public Charging Study. A key complaint is the inconsistent maintenance of charging stations, as owners may arrive to find some or all of the chargers inoperative.
This is one of many points to consider when selecting an EV. This 2022 Tesla Model Y vs. 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge comparison will help you sort out other differences between these all-electric premium compact SUVs.
Consumers who research 2022 Tesla Model Y pricing will find that it ranges from $59,990 to $69,990, not including the $1,200 destination charge. As of this publication, you can only order the 2022 Model Y Long Range ($67,990) and Performance ($69,990) trim levels on the Tesla website. But there's also a base trim level ($59,990) that the automaker began offering to select customers in April 2022; wider availability is likely for the 2023 model year. Tesla builds the base-trim Model Y at its Texas Gigafactory. It assembles other versions at its Fremont, California, plant.
No 2022 Tesla qualifies for a federal tax credit. The 2023 Tesla Model Y should be eligible for the new Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) tax credit, provided that your adjusted gross income meets the new eligibility criteria. The new credit won't apply until January 2023, when the U.S. government officially lifts the 200,000-vehicle sales limit associated with the previous tax credit program. Until then, you can investigate state and local incentives.
All versions of the 2022 Tesla Model Y crossover SUV feature dual electric motors, all-wheel drive (AWD), and 5-passenger seating. A 2-passenger third-row seat is optional.
Shoppers seeking connected services on the Tesla Model Y will find that it comes with:
If you're concerned about theft, you can enable PIN to Drive. Sentry Mode records video of any break-in attempts or collisions while your Model Y is parked; it requires the Premium Connectivity option package. Another feature to consider is Smart Summon, which allows your Model Y to drive to you in parking lots.
Dog Mode allows you to run short errands while your dog safely waits in the 2022 Tesla Model Y. The climate control system remains active in this mode, and a message on the infotainment display advises passersby that you'll be right back and your dog is doing fine.
Teslas don't come with free scheduled maintenance, and the automaker doesn't recommend service at specific intervals. The owner's manual recommends that you rotate the tires "every 6,250 miles, or if the tread depth difference is 2/32 inch or greater."
Tesla no longer includes free Supercharger access with a vehicle purchase, but the company runs occasional holiday-weekend promotions to reduce congestion at popular locations within its Level 3 charging network.
The Tesla Model Y ranks highest in the Premium Electric category of the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards. Additionally, the Model Y ranks second among Premium BEVs in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study.
If you look up 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge pricing, you'll find that it ranges from $55,300 to $60,100, not including the $1,095 destination charge. Volvo sells the 2023 C40 Recharge in Core, Plus, and Ultimate trim levels. Amenities vary by trim, but all feature dual electric motors, standard AWD, and seating for five. The Volvo C40 Recharge does not offer a third-row seat.
If you leased or purchased a Volvo C40 Recharge before August 16, 2022, it would qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit. However, this Volvo is no longer eligible under the IRA of 2022 because the automaker assembles it in Belgium. The new law requires final assembly in North America.
The 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge comes with the following connected services:
C40 Recharge owners will enjoy four years or 40,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance. In addition, Volvo's electric crossover provides 250 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of complimentary Level 3 charging within the Electrify America network. Once you've exhausted that allowance, you're eligible for one year of discounted energy at Electrify America locations.
The C40 Recharge has a lower base price, offers more connected services, comes with free scheduled maintenance, and a year of free vehicle charging at Electrify America stations. On the other hand, the Model Y will soon be eligible for the new EV tax credit (effectively wiping out Volvo's price advantage), has a better charging network, and is quicker and roomier than the Volvo.
As it wasn't available for the 2019 model year, Tesla's Model Y did not participate in the J.D. Power 2022 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which assesses owner-reported problems during the third year of ownership. It was, however, included in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS) but was ineligible for awards because Tesla does not allow J.D. Power access to owner information in the 15 states that the automaker must grant its permission to do so.
The 2022 Tesla Model Y comes with the following warranty coverage:
Volvo C40 Recharge sales began in early 2022, so J.D. Power did not evaluate this compact crossover in either the 2022 VDS or 2022 IQS. The 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge comes with the following warranty coverage:
Each version of the 2022 Tesla Model Y has a slightly different powertrain. The Texas-built base Model Y AWD model has a 91-kW front electric-drive motor and a 200-kW rear motor. One-pedal drive capability is standard and makes for a more entertaining driving experience.
Next up is the 2022 Model Y Long Range. Its electric motors have similar power ratings, but Tesla equips it with a higher-capacity battery pack. The automaker says the Model Y Long Range will hit 60 mph in 4.8 seconds.
If you're looking for serious speed in an electric SUV, the 2022 Tesla Model Y Performance will not disappoint. It features 133-kW front and 179-kW rear electric-drive motors. The Model Y Performance provides rapid acceleration, and several automotive media outlets have reported sub-4-second zero-to-60-mph times in instrumented testing.
Most consumers will find that the 2022 Tesla Model Y offers enough cruising range to keep them from worrying about it. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the base Model Y for 279 miles of range. The EPA rates its energy consumption at 28 kWh per 100 miles. The Tesla Model Y Long Range consumes energy at the same rate but is EPA-rated for 330 miles of range. With its focus on performance, the 2022 Model Y Performance has a slightly higher energy consumption rating (30 kWh/100 miles) and a 303-mile range rating.
Since it's neither practical nor desirable to use DCFC all the time, you'll want access to Level 2 charging at home. According to Tesla, the 2022 Model Y can recover a full charge in 6 to 11 hours, depending on whether you install the automaker's wall connector or use the mobile connector in a 240-volt outlet.
The 2022 Tesla Model Y has a 3,500-pound tow rating when equipped with Tesla's factory tow package.
Every 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge comes with dual electric-drive motors, each rated for 300 kW. They draw electricity from a 75-kWh battery pack. Volvo says the C40 Recharge will accelerate to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. That's on par with the Tesla Model Y Long Range, and J.D. Power's independent automotive testing experts report that Volvo's first electric SUV is satisfyingly quick for its class. A selectable one-pedal drive mode is standard.
The EPA rates the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge for 226 miles of range. Volvo's EV consumes energy at a higher rate than the Tesla; the EPA rates it for 39 kWh/100 miles. Using Volvo's 11-kW cable, the 2023 C40 Recharge can recover a full charge in about 8 hours at Level 2.
The 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge has a 2,000-pound tow rating when properly equipped.
Consumers seeking advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) on the 2022 Tesla Model Y will find that it comes with:
The optional Enhanced Autopilot package adds lane-change assistance and Autopark active parking assistance. Priced at $15,000, the Full Self Driving (FSD) package can slow your SUV automatically for stop signs and red lights on surface streets. Contrary to its name, it does not allow the 2022 Tesla Model Y to drive itself. Tesla requires you to maintain a specific Safety Score to access all of FSD's functionality.
This requirement has raised the ire of some Tesla owners, as has the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) ongoing investigation of Tesla's ADAS following several serious collisions involving drivers who reportedly were using Autopilot.
Yet, Tesla outranks all other automotive brands in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Tech Experience (TXI) Study. It's an unofficial ranking since Tesla only allows access to owner data in 35 states. But it suggests that many owners remain enthusiastic about the automaker's ADAS offerings, perhaps due in part to Tesla's frequent and highly publicized over-the-air (OTA) software updates.
The NHTSA rates the 2022 Tesla Model Y at a maximum of 5 stars for overall crash safety. Meanwhile, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named the Model Y a Top Safety Pick+, the Institute's highest safety accolade.
Shoppers will find that the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge comes standard with FCW with pedestrian and cyclist detection and AEB. It also has LDW, LKA, rear automatic braking, and a driver monitoring system. Also standard on Volvo's electric crossover is an active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning system. If its warnings go unheeded, it will countersteer to help you avoid a collision.
The C40 Recharge Ultimate adds ACC with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. Although this constitutes Level 2 semi-autonomous driving, it's not a hands-free system like the upcoming Volvo Ride Pilot.
The NHTSA has not published crash-test ratings on the Volvo C40 Recharge. The IIHS rates the structurally similar 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge a Top Safety Pick+.
The nerve center of your 2022 Tesla Model Y's cockpit is a 15-inch touchscreen interface. You'll want to familiarize yourself with it as soon as you take delivery. In addition to providing infotainment functions, it takes the place of a traditional instrument panel and integrates all climate functions and a surprising number of secondary controls. Many owners manage well with this setup, but it's unlike anything else on the market.
Tesla includes factory navigation, natural-language voice recognition, a standard wireless charging pad, and the aforementioned OTA updates. But this is an older infotainment platform with no support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring.
The 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge takes a more conventional approach to infotainment. You'll use the standard 9-inch interface to manage infotainment and climate functions, but there's also a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel behind the steering wheel, and most secondary controls (wipers, mirrors, and the like) still use physical stalks and buttons.
In addition, the C40 Recharge uses a brand-new Android Automotive operating system with built-in Google apps, including Google Assistant (with natural-language voice recognition and continuous learning capability) and Google Maps for navigation. Signing in with a personal Google account provides access to saved contacts, places, and calendars. Initially, the system allowed only Android Auto smartphone mirroring, but Apple CarPlay support arrived in a July 2022 OTA update. Wireless charging is standard.
The 2022 Tesla Model Y and 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge offer different interpretations of sustainable vehicle design. Neither comes with leather upholstery. The Model Y's stark interior furnishings won't appeal to everyone, but there's a lot of space here, and that counts for plenty if you have children.
The Volvo C40 Recharge has a warmer ambiance, and as is typical of Volvos, it features ultra-supportive seats. There's a surprising amount of legroom up front, and the Volvo designers have carved out many useful storage slots. Nevertheless, larger adults will find the Tesla more accommodating.
A panoramic glass roof is standard on the 2022 Volvo C40. It includes a UV coating, but it's not enough to keep the cabin from heating up on hot, sunny days. Also, it's hard to see out the back of the Volvo with its small rear window and large pillars. Notably, neither of these electric crossovers includes a rear wiper.
If cargo capacity is what you need, the 2022 Tesla Model Y has you covered. It has 30.2 cubic feet of space behind its second-row seats (26.6 in 7-seaters) and a 4.1-cubic-foot front trunk or "frunk." With the second-row seats folded, the Model Y offers 72.1 cubic feet of cargo space (67.9 in 7-seaters).
The 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge provides just 14.6 cubic feet of space behind its second row (plus a teensy 0.7-cubic-foot frunk) and 49.0 cubic feet with the seats folded.
If you'd like to learn more about these electric vehicles, be sure to research the 2022 Tesla Model Y and read our expert review of the Volvo C40 Recharge. To find out how people like you rate models in this segment, check out our ratings from verified vehicle owners.
Also, please keep in mind that while the information in this article was accurate and valid on September 22, 2022, it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.
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