The quest for more affordable EVs continues. Volvo wasn’t usually associated with economy vehicles, but since the company became part of Chinese automaker giant Geely, its focus has changed. Enter the EX30, a small SUV that takes the entry price for an electric Volvo to a new level. But is the cost low enough?
The EX30 has a cleaner, more angular nose than standard Volvos.
The EX30 falls into the SUV category because it rides a bit higher than a typical compact hatchback, but it should really be considered in the latter category. Although the front deviates from Volvo’s typically angular look, the rear is reminiscent of the larger XC40 and C40 SUV. For those who remember the original Honda HR-V, the EX30 is very much that kind of vehicle – it’s not really meant for off-road use.
Volvo EX30: Engine, battery and trim options
There are three drivetrain options. The base one combines a 268-horsepower engine that drives the rear wheels with a 51 kWh (gross) battery. You can also specify this engine with a larger 69 kWh (gross) Extended Range Pack. Top of the heap is a dual-motor setup that delivers a combined 422 horsepower along with the same extended-range battery.
There are three finishes to choose from. The Core is only available with a single-motor drivetrain. Plus it can have all three. The Ultra is only available with the extended range battery. Being a Volvo, all versions are packed with safety tech, including adaptive cruise control that offers stop-and-go traffic jams. Driver assistance is a bit more advanced with the Plus, which also adds a power tailgate plus heated front seats and steering wheel. The Ultra features a panoramic sunroof, 360-degree parking camera, 22kW AC charging and a heat pump.
The interior of the EX30 is undeniably ‘modern’. It takes quite a few cues from the Tesla Model 3 (pre-Highland) and the Y. There are no dashboard instruments, just a central display, which in this case is vertically oriented with a diagonal of 12.3 inches. This means you’ll have to look at the center to see how fast you’re going. This approach raised some eyebrows when the Model 3 was first released, but most owners have since found it to be a perfectly workable solution.
The interior is minimalist, with no instrument panel, just a central 12.3-inch infotainment portrait … [+]
The touch buttons on the steering wheel are a bit odd, but at least you have an actual stalk to control the wiper speed, even though it doubles for the lights and turn signals. The stalk on the right operates drive, reverse and park, just like a pre-Highland Tesla Model 3 or a Mercedes. The air conditioning is operated via the infotainment panel. The control icons are permanently visible and quite large, but there’s no separate button for defogging the windscreen, so you have to call up the climate control screen first.
Volvo has now partnered with Google as a supplier of its infotainment software. All cars have four years of live services. Navigation comes from Google Maps and the Google Play store is available to download apps such as games or My Talking Tom Friends. Although you have Google Maps available, you can also use Waze directly. Spotify also comes as standard, although you need to provide your own account. YouTube streaming is available. Overall, it is an advanced connected system.
Although the interior decoration is very minimal, there are some nice touches. The sliding panel converts the area in front of the center armrest into two cupholders. Below that is a small pouch and two smartphone slots, though only one offers wireless charging. Surprisingly, there is no glove box on the dashboard in front of the passenger. But there is an opening compartment below the infotainment screen.
Volvo EX30: Range and performance, but limited rear space
While the battery options are adequate, they are not huge in the current market. The 51 kWh battery offers a WLTP range of 209 miles, while the 69 kWh battery provides 294 miles with a single motor and 279 miles with dual motors. However, while driving the dual-engine car I only averaged 2.73 miles per kWh. With the extended range battery’s usable capacity of 64 kWh, this would mean a real range of just 175 miles.
There is DC charging with the small battery up to 134 kW and up to 153 kW with the Extended Range version. That means the former can be recharged from 10 to 80% in 27 minutes, and that drops to 25 minutes with the latter. So you’ll need to charge every couple of hours on a long trip, making the EX30 not very good for miles. However, it will still be sufficient for driving between cities as well as within them.
Probably the biggest drawback of the EX30 is the space in the back, both for passengers and cargo. An average-sized man sitting behind another average-sized man in the driving position will have his knees almost touching the seat in front, although they will still have plenty of headroom.
Luggage capacity is also more compact hatchbacks than SUVs. With the rear seats up, you get 318 liters – less than a Volkswagen ID.3. The rear seats fold forward with a 60/40 split, and there are some nice features like clips that hold the seat belts so they don’t get caught when you put the seats back on. But while boot space is flat, it’s only 914 litres, less than the ID.3 and even a Nissan Leaf. The EX30 can at least tow – up to 1,000kg with the small battery and up to 1,600kg with the extended range. There is also a very small pouch, but enough for a charging cable or your packed lunch.
The rear luggage compartment is flat with the rear seats down but not spacious.
So far, so unusual. But now we come to the performance of the EX30. Whichever version of this car you go for, it’s fast. Even the base single-engine EX30 with the smallest battery can hit 62 mph in 5.7 seconds. Surprisingly, the single engine with the larger extended-range battery is quicker, taking just 5.3 seconds to reach 62 mph. Those are hot hatch figures, but the 422bhp EX30 twin goes much further, running a borderline insane 3.6 seconds. That’s close to a Tesla Model 3 Performance.
The suspension setup also doesn’t match the acceleration. This is a fast EV but not a hot hatch. I’ve driven the twin engine version around the Millbrook hill test track at pace. It’s fun and able to squirm pleasantly through corners, but not in the same way you would in a Golf R. The twin-motor car also has a slight steering pull if you accelerate when cornering.
But as quick transport around the urban areas and A-country roads, the EX30 is excellent. The acceleration that the twin engine car has will allow you to fly through the city (20mph speed limits allow) and overtake slow traffic on a country road quickly and safely. Driving on the highway is also comfortable, although as mentioned above you will have to stop for a fee every two hours.
Volvo EX30: Worth the money?
When Volvo’s first all-electric SUV, the XC40 Recharge Twinarrived in 2021, it started near £50,000 ($66,000). The good news is that the EX30 comes in at a much lower level. Base spec Core starts at £32,850 ($43,000) and the Plus from £34,400 ($45,000), although the Ultra is a bigger step up at £42,350 ($56,000). Even with the dual-motor drivetrain, the Ultra is still under £45,000 ($59,000). Unlike most German brands, Volvo also includes almost everything in the trim, with very few optional extras. Even paint and interior options are free.
The Volvo EX30 rides tall like an SUV, but it’s actually more like a compact hatchback.
That doesn’t make the EX30 cheap, but it’s much more mainstream in price. It will face stiff competition, for example from the Kia EV3, which promises similar quality, lower performance, but more range for the money. Still, there was plenty of interest in the EX30 when it was announced. In practice, with the caveats of rear space and modest range, it lives up to expectations. It’s incredibly fast and packed with robust technology, something worth considering if you’re looking for a small family electric car primarily for local use.
