Volvo has updated both the XC40 and C40 Recharge models to improve their vital statistics – upping range and charging times. In addition, the Swedish brand is doing away with the front-wheel drive powertrain in favour of rear-wheel drive, which will now sit alongside all-wheel drive models.

Both of Volvo’s electric SUVs are great cars, with the XC40 and C40 Recharge scoring 4 and 4.5 out of five respectively in our tests. We found them to be well built, easy to drive, fast and with plenty enough real-world range for most people’s requirements.

This hasn’t stopped Volvo from refreshing the range with tweaks which make both cars even more appealing.

The biggest change relates to the two-wheel drive versions, which have been front-wheel drive until now. Volvo has swapped driven axles and made its first rear-drive cars for 25 years, upping the power while it’s at it with 235bhp now available – an increase of 7bhp. We reckon it’s a good move, as powerful front-drive EVs tend to scrabble for grip and eat their tyres far more than rear-drive cars.

Volvo has carried over the same 69kWh battery, but has made improvements in cooling efficiency. This has upped the WLTP range of the XC40 and C40 to 286 miles and 296 miles respectively (compared to 264/272 on the outgoing models). Max charging is 130kW meaning 10-80 per cent takes 34 minutes.

Buyers can opt for a larger 82kWh, increasing range to 320 miles on the XC40 and 331 miles on the C40. Charging speed is also raised on this model, being able to take electrons on board 50kW faster at 200kW, delivering 10-80 per cent in 28 minutes.

These improvements have spilled over to the all-wheel drive variants, too. First and foremost, whilst power remains the same, more of it is now on the rear axle as instead of two 150kW motors, it’s now 183kW at the rear and an all-new 117kW motor at the front.

Paired with the 82kWh battery and improved efficiency, the XC40 Recharge Twin Motor will now do up to 311 miles (39 more miles than the outgoing car) and the C40 Recharge Twin Motor will do up to 315 miles (up 35 miles).

These updates will be available on all new MY2023 Volvo XC40 and C40 Recharges.