10 Biggest News Stories of the Month: Volvo C40 Recharge Can’t Generate Interest Like Mazda CX-50
If you were considering the all-electric version of the Volvo XC40 luxury compact SUV — the XC40 Recharge — but found yourself thinking, “Golly, if it only had tighter headroom, poorer visibility and reduced cargo space, I’d snap that baby up in a heartbeat,” then the 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge should be right up your curious alley. In one of Cars.com’s most popular articles published in the past month, reviewer Aaron Bragman presents these key distinctions in the all-new, raked-back “coupe” version of the electric SUV and challenges the notion that anyone would choose to cramp themselves over cramping their style.
Related: 2023 Mazda CX-50 Vs. 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness: Who Off-Roads Better?
Bragman acknowledges that the new C40 Recharge’s exterior styling is attractive and that its comfort-focused driving dynamics and ride quality somewhat compensate for other shortcomings. But the aforementioned comfort and visibility compromises, uninspiring — and, in some cases, nigh unusable — onboard electronics, and just-so-so EPA-estimated driving range of 226 miles on a full charge all combine to make one wonder … just, why? Especially since one could pay substantially less for a non-luxury equivalent like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6 while enjoying longer range and faster charge times.
“Volvo made some unusual decisions with regard to the C40 Recharge, and not all of them add up to a desirable package,” Bragman concludes in his review. “In the end, this car will be for drivers who are attracted to its style and are able to overlook the shortcomings of its design and performance.”
For our full review of the 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge, follow the link below to the No. 10 article of the past month.
Climbing much higher on this month’s countdown than the C40 could manage is Cars.com reviewer Brian Normile’s comprehensive critique of the 2023 Mazda CX-50 — the all-new compact SUV elbowing its way into the Mazda lineup as a more off-road-ready alternative to the CX-5. Normile lauds the CX-50 for its more aggressive exterior aesthetics, surprisingly generous cargo area, responsive steering, and the ability to use both the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone-mirroring functions via the touchscreen while the vehicle is in motion. Eliciting criticism, however, were the less-than-user-friendly touchscreen, rough ride when equipped with 20-inch wheels, an unappealing engine soundtrack and the need for premium gas to get the best performance. Overall, the review concludes the CX-50 is a little too much like the CX-5, and a little too little like superior off-road vehicles, to garner a strong recommendation.
For our full review of the 2023 Mazda CX-50, follow the link below to Cars.com’s No. 3 article of the past month.
Beyond that, we’ve got headlines on the Dodge Hornet, Ford Maverick, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride and much more — so don’t stop reading till the digits double. Here are the top 10 news stories Cars.com readers couldn’t get enough of in the past month:
1. When Will Used-Car Prices Drop? 3 Things Car Shoppers Should Know
2. Cars.com’s 2022 Car Seat Fit Report Card
3. 2023 Mazda CX-50 Review: Looks Aren’t Everything
4. 2023 Dodge Hornet Up Close: Italian Beef, American Seasoning
5. 6 Months With a 2022 Ford Maverick: Is It Still Our Top Gun?
6. What’s the Best New-Car Deal for August 2022?
7. What Does the EV Tax Credit Overhaul Mean for Car Shoppers?
8. Stop-Sale Issued for Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride Over Tow Hitch Fire Threat
9. 2023 Dodge Hornet: Performance-Oriented Small SUV Lands Under $30,000
10. 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Review: Trading Practicality for Style
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