Complete transparency: the first occasion I found myself within the Volvo EX30, during a couple of days last year, I concluded it was the one electric vehicle (EV) I would not be inclined to own. It stands as Volvo’s most compact EV, as well as being its most economical, with a starting price of under R800,000.
For anyone entering the vehicle for the initial time, the technology disparity is apparent: no instrument cluster in front of the driver. Alternatively, all details regarding the trip are communicated through the infotainment screen. This made it the pioneering car I evaluated that integrated driver instrumentation with infotainment, navigation, and vehicle metrics all showcased on the central panel.
Initial impression: it is excessively distracting for the driver to remain updated when only looking away from the road. The conventional placement of the instrument panel behind the steering wheel permits the driver to glance down momentarily while staying attentive to the road ahead.
A companion automotive journalist proposed I simply required more time with the EX30. This is logical, although not always feasible. Thankfully, Volvo concurred, allowing it to serve as my test vehicle for a month.
Surprisingly, after just over a week, I’d completely dismissed my so-called – or “previously termed” – technology gap.
Rather the opposite: it was an epiphany.
The minimalist design resulted in numerous moments of clarity, particularly insights about other vehicles.
- I realized that a significant portion of the information presented in standard instrument panels tends to be data that is intriguing before the commencement and after the conclusion of the journey, such as mileage and average consumption for the trip, when displaying it on the central console makes little impact. There is a caveat: one usually pays more attention to fuel consumption in a fuel-powered vehicle. In EVs, there is generally one crucial metric: remaining range. And that is not something one checks every 5 minutes. Or, at least, not if the battery has a sufficient range to begin with. Volvo claims up to 480km on a single charge for the top-tier Twin Motor Performance variant, although we experienced closer to 420km with a Single Motor version.
- I understood that, apart from keeping track of speed, I seldom needed to view the instrument cluster. However, once a familiarity with a vehicle develops, one also becomes attuned to the speed it is traveling. I navigated entire days of urban driving without checking my speed, yet also remained under the speed limit, according to my passengers.
- Most importantly, it proved to be the best possible encouragement for concentrating on the road, as I didn’t find it necessary to consult the instruments except during intricate navigation, when one typically turns to the infotainment panel in any vehicle equipped with one.
Now that I’m centered on the road, how does the drive itself feel? In two words: quietly powerful.
Press the start button, and the vehicle comes to life subtly, with merely the slightest hum to indicate it’s ready.
The EX30 offers two powertrain configurations: a single-motor rear-wheel-drive setup and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version. While the latter achieves an impressive 0-100 km/h in only 3.6 seconds, the single motor’s 5.7 seconds is quick enough for any takeoff. The acceleration is instant, almost whimsical, and the vehicle doesn’t just move – it leaps. However, the abrupt power delivery can feel jarring in stop-and-go situations, where a gentler approach would be more suitable.
A top speed of 180km doesn’t seem remarkable, yet only speed enthusiasts would consider the vehicle as underpowered.
A 200kW motor producing 343 Nm of torque ensures that, on urban roads, the EX30 appears agile and adept at maneuvering through confined spaces. The steering is well-balanced, and Volvo has evidently optimized it for city driving, providing assured cornering and robust suspension. On imperfect surfaces, however, one does feel the bumps.
On the highway, it retains its composure, equipped with Volvo’s suite of driver-assistance features alleviating some of the strain of long-distance travel. Adaptive cruise control operates as anticipated, and lane-keeping assist is unobtrusive, if occasionally overly eager in tighter bends.
Charging is simple, with capabilities for rapid charging that elevates the battery from 10% to 80% in around 25 minutes. However, for slower home charging, considerable patience or overnight charging is essential.
In conclusion, it is a powerful vehicle that lowers the price point of EVs to a reasonable range. While its range doesn’t rank it among the market leaders, its minimalist design proves to be a significant advantage.
* Arthur Goldstuck is CEO of World Wide Worx and editor-in-chief of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on Bluesky at @art2gee.bsky.social.