The 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge may look like just another coupe-like crossover by the European luxury brand, but it is much more than that. As the first Volvo designed from the ground up as a pure electric vehicle, it is a major step toward the automaker's ultimate goal of eliminating the internal combustion engine entirely from its lineup by 2030. Here's what you need to know about the Volvo C40 Recharge as it nears its launch.

Currently, there is only one trim level, the new Twin Pure Electric Ultimate version, which is also available on the more conventionally styled 2022 XC40 Recharge SUV The C40 Recharge Ultimate is priced at, start at $59,750, including a $1,095 destination charge.

If a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 is applied, this price drops to $51,250, putting the C40 Recharge at the same level as the $54,990 Tesla Model Y Long Range.

The C40 Recharge is also a key part of Volvo's plan to offer its electric cars exclusively online. Volvo began taking pre-orders in March, but will not produce the vehicle for customers until this fall. Deliveries are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2021.

While undeniably similar to the XC40 Recharge, the C40 is distinct from its sibling. Most of this is due to the C40's contrasting fastback roof, but there are other differences. Volvo describes the C40's front end as "the new face of Volvo electric cars."

Its spiky headlight casings feature distinctive tall hammer design elements and new pixel LEDs that automatically adjust according to lighting conditions and turn off or on to optimize the C40's forward lighting. The distinctive LED taillights are stylized hammers, terminating in a line of split light bars that flank the rear glass. True Volvo fans will notice that the chunky 20-inch wheels are the spiritual successors to the rollers of the 2018 Volvo 360c concept car.

The designers behind the C40's interior drew much of their inspiration from nature and Volvo's native Sweden. Both are evident in the panoramic glass roof, which brings light into the cabin, as does the glass in many Swedish houses. The layered backlit graphics on the C40's dashboard and front door panels also pay homage to the mountains of Abisko National Park.

Volvo's interior designers chose not to use 100% leather in the C40's cabin, preserving the greatest respect for cows. One of the interior options uses wool fibers, while the other consists of recycled plastics and suede-like textiles made from what Volvo calls "microtechnology materials."

Volvo compensated for the C40's singular trim level by equipping it with a high level of features. Music is output from a Harman Kardon audio system, while the Android operating system handles most of the infotainment, including Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. The standard panoramic roof allows both rows to enjoy the night view.

Volvo is not exactly breaking the mold when it comes to autonomous driving features. However, the Pilot Assist system is not lacking significantly, and the C40 Recharge has all the tools to ease the driver's burden on long drives.

Pilot Assist includes collision avoidance, lane-keeping technology, blind spot detection, automatic braking, and a 360-degree camera for viewing your surroundings. There will probably also be adaptive cruise control.

This is very similar to the driver assistance systems found in the Volvo XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2. Pilot Assist also has many of the same basic autonomous driving features as Nissan and Tesla's Basic Autopilot, for example. It may not break the autonomy barrier, but it is still good enough.

The C40 delivers power to the road through all four wheels, thanks to electric motors mounted on both axles and a 78 kWh battery pack; it takes only 40 minutes to charge to 80%, and the battery can be charged in as little as two minutes.

It's even easier with the 250 kWh charge from the Electrify America network that Volvo is putting into the 2022 C40 Recharge. If this power is used up in the first three years, Volvo will cover the membership fee to participate in Electrify America's Pass+ program.

While early assessments put the XC40 Recharge's range at just over 200 miles, things have changed. Volvo's website promises an expected range of 260 miles (per WLTP and EPA range test standards).

However, in a recent XC40 Recharge hands-on review, Volvo confirmed the estimated global range to be about 276 miles. This is quite impressive and not far off the Tesla Model Y level range.

Volvo may not be the most stylish brand, but it has long earned a reputation for prioritizing safety over style, and while we can't comment on the C40 Recharge's safety, it certainly seems to help a lot when it comes to style and comfort. [Importantly, the C40 Recharge has everything one could ask for in a modern EV. This includes an autonomous driving system, a high-tech on-board infotainment system, a fairly long range, and all the other bells and whistles.

What's more, as we found out in our recent hands-on review, this EV absolutely oozes class. And honestly, you can't go wrong with it.