Compare the2023 Volvo C40 RechargeVS 2023 Tesla Model 3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The C40 Recharge’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Model 3 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The C40 Recharge has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Model 3 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The C40 Recharge has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the C40 Recharge. But it costs extra on the Model 3.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the C40 Recharge’s standard Off-Road Mode allow you to creep down safely. The Model 3 doesn’t offer Off-Road Mode.

The C40 Recharge Plus/Ultimate has a standard 360° Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model 3 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the C40 Recharge’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The C40 Recharge has standard Volvo On Call, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the C40 Recharge and the Model 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

The Volvo C40 Recharge weighs 722 to 908 pounds more than the Tesla Model 3. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the C40 Recharge for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Volvo will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Tesla doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Model 3.

There are over 84 percent more Volvo dealers than there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the C40 Recharge’s warranty.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Volvo vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volvo 5 places higher in reliability than Tesla.

Engine

The C40 Recharge’s electric motors produces 131 more horsepower (402 vs. 271) and 177 lbs.-ft. more torque (487 vs. 310) than the Model 3 Rear Wheel Drive’s standard electric motor. The C40 Recharge’s electric motors produces 18 more horsepower (402 vs. 384) and 112 lbs.-ft. more torque (487 vs. 375) than the Model 3 Long Range’s standard electric motors.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the C40 Recharge’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Model 3:

	C40 Recharge	Model 3
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.4 inches	13.2 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the C40 Recharge Core has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Model 3.

Suspension and Handling

The C40 Recharge has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the C40 Recharge flat and controlled during cornering. The Model 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better maneuverability, the C40 Recharge’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Model 3’s (37.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

Chassis

The C40 Recharge is 10 inches shorter than the Model 3, making the C40 Recharge easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The C40 Recharge has 1.3 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear legroom, 2.2 inches more rear hip room and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model 3.

Cargo Capacity

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the C40 Recharge’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Model 3 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the C40 Recharge’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The C40 Recharge has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Model 3 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the C40 Recharge uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Model 3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the C40 Recharge to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model 3.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Model 3, the C40 Recharge has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the C40 Recharge to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Model 3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the C40 Recharge has a standard rear wiper. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The C40 Recharge offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Model 3 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the C40 Recharge offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Model 3 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The C40 Recharge also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The C40 Recharge’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model 3 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.