The Volvo EX30 certainly stands out, but it needs to – it’s up against some tough competition.
In this review…
There was a time when Volvo stood for safety, practicality and not a whole lot else. But times have changed. The Volvo of today isn’t just a symbol of sensibleness, but a desirable brand that’s big on style, tech and performance. We’re not just talking about the Polestar sub-brand, either: in our opinion, Volvo’s main model line is every bit as desirable as anything from Volkswagen, Audi or BMW.
The Swedish manufacturer attempted to shake off its dowdy image in the ‘90s, taking on ambitious projects like the 850 Estate British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) programme (and the high-performance 850R road car that followed). These efforts culminated in a title win during the 1998 season, this time in the S40 – but after all this success, Volvo once again returned to its roots: practical, spacious estate cars and family saloons.
That all changed when Geely took ownership of the brand in 2010. An increasing focus on electric vehicles has allowed Volvo to gradually reinvent itself, and the EX30 is clear proof of its new-found confidence. It might sound cliché, but this compact electric crossover really does look like something from the future. But does it live up to expectations?
Pros & Cons
What we like:
- Daring styling
- More affordable than you might think
- Smooth ride and enjoyable driving experience
What we don’t like:
- Entry-level model doesn’t have the best range
- Lack of room for rear seat passengers…
- …and a lack of boot space compared to some rivals
Exterior
A car’s exterior styling serves an important purpose. Fundamentally, it’s the way a car looks that makes it desirable. Performance figures and onboard gadgets aside, styling is what separates forgettable cars from unforgettable ones.
In our opinion, the EX30 falls very much into the latter category. Can you think of any other car that looks like this? We can’t. Well-proportioned and futuristic yet distinctly Scandinavian, the EX30 looks like a concept that was designed for I, Robot rather than a regular production car.
It may be Volvo’s smallest car, but the EX30 makes a big impact. We especially like the rear lights, which are built into a black frame that wraps around the Volvo script on the boot lid – itself a nod to the brand’s heritage. This, combined with the car’s sloping roofline and narrow rear window, give the EX30 a level of visual drama that’s missing from so many of its rivals.
Interior
Moving inside, the Volvo EX30 remains every bit as futuristic. No matter where you look, there’s a sense that Volvo’s design team threw away the rulebook before they put pen to paper: not a single part of the interior resembles Volvos of old.
In some ways, that’s a good thing. As a piece of design, the EX30’s interior is a masterclass in restraint and elegance; subtle ambient lighting, a slim centre console and a relatively flat dashboard give the cabin a relaxing, mellow feel – and excellent forward visibility.
Surprise surprise, a giant touchscreen takes centre stage in the EX30 – and it’s here that the interior design begins to fall down a little. Although the infotainment system is packed with features, it’s not the easiest to use, especially while on the move. The same can be said of the touch-sensitive steering wheel controls, which don’t always respond to your inputs. What was wrong with the robust, chunky buttons on older Volvos?
Performance and Driving
Although the interior isn’t as easy to live with as some of its rivals’, it’s easy to forgive the EX30’s (relatively minor) shortcomings when you find out what it’s capable of. Although the entry-level model has a 209-mile range, the 69kWh version can travel just shy of 300 miles on a single charge – pretty impressive for such a compact EV.
In terms of performance, even the base single-motor model packs a punch. 272 hp is enough to propel the EX30 to 60 mph from a standstill in just 5.3 seconds – a figure that many petrol-powered sports cars would struggle to match. Then, there’s the twin-motor performance version, which is the fastest-accelerating Volvo ever made. With a whopping 428 hp and four-wheel drive, this version can reach 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. For context, that’s as quick as a Ferrari F50. Madness.
Alternatives and Verdict
The EX30 certainly stands out, but it needs to – it’s up against some tough competition. From the Smart #1 to the Jeep Avenger and the Kia Niro EV, the electric crossover segment is one of the most crowded of them all. All of the EX30’s competitors bring something different to the table, but pound-for-pound, the Swedish machine is very difficult to beat.
The fact that it won Carwow’s 2024 Car of the Year award says a lot: the EX30 might not be perfect, but it’s one hell of an all-rounder. Provided you’re a fan of its styling, there’s not much to dislike about it – the only real drawbacks are the touch controls, the cramped rear seats and the cargo space, which is lacking compared to some of its competitors.
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