The Volvo C40 Recharge is a surprisingly overlooked EV compared to its rivals. Additionally, the C40 Recharge has to do its best to stand out amongst 10 other electric and hybrid siblings. A new C40 Recharge can also only be ordered online, so it doesn’t get extra attention in showrooms.

With enough publicity and positive consumer reception, this EV has serious potential. We can already think of five reasons why it’s better than the Audi e-tron.

1. The Volvo C40 Recharge has the better price

According to Consumer Reports, you can buy a Volvo C40 Recharge for $58,750. It also qualifies for the full amount of the current EV tax credit, meaning you’ll get $7,500 back on your purchase.

Audi says the e-tron Premium trim costs at least $65,900 before any tax credits or fees. The Premium Plus trim starts at nearly $75,000, and the Chronos Edition costs $83,400 by itself. 

The C40 Recharge is currently only available in one trim. Even with every optional feature added, its price remains below $62,000.

2. Faster charging times with 240V connections

In addition to a more straightforward buying process, getting back on the road is easier if you’re driving the Volvo C40 Recharge. It only needs 8 hours to charge through a 240V home charging station.

With the Audi e-tron, the automaker says you’ll need to have it plugged in for at least 10 hours. However, Consumer Reports found that it instead took 13 hours to charge the Audi e-tron.

Volvo claims the C40 Recharge also has excellent charging times when hooked up to a DC fast-charger. For both the dual-motor and single-motor versions, you should be able to restore 70% of the battery in about a half hour. The same applies to the Audi e-tron, according to Car and Driver.

3. Extra driving range helps the C40 Recharge

The Volvo C40 Recharge only has a range of 226 miles, which is lower than the average Tesla’s range. However, it’s still superior compared to the Audi e-tron Premium, which gets 222 miles of range.

Meanwhile, the Audi e-tron’s new Sportback version gets just 218 miles of range. It compensates with 496 hp on tap thanks to its tri-motor setup. However, its base trim is even more expensive than the regular e-tron at $69,100.

4. A higher fuel economy equivalent 

According to Edmunds, the Volvo C40 Recharge has been rated for 87 MPGe by the EPA. While many other EVs earn 100 MPGe or more, it’s still impressive for a sportier luxury car. More importantly, it proves that the C40 Recharge uses its electric power as efficiently as possible.

Edmunds reports that the Audi e-tron earns 78 MPGe. When your EV’s MPGe rating is lower, it could mean you won’t get the best range promised by the automaker. The e-tron already has a below-average range, so it can definitely be an area of concern for some drivers.

5. The Volvo C40 Recharge is lighter than the Audi e-tron

The Volvo C40 Recharge weighs in at a spritely (at least by EV standards) 4,817 pounds. Smaller EVs are usually easier to handle, conserve more range, and have faster acceleration times. Car and Driver confirms that the C40 Recharge has an estimated 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds.

The Audi e-tron is slightly slower, needing 5.5 seconds to reach that speed. A higher curb weight could contribute to that: it weighs 5,765 pounds. The Volvo C40 Recharge also generates more standard power, 402 hp, compared to the e-tron’s 355 hp. 

Putting the e-tron in Sport mode allows you to match the C40 Recharge’s horsepower. Still, you can’t always engage this feature if the battery’s cold. If you want the most power and range available at all times, the Volvo C40 Recharge is a bargain over the Audi e-tron.