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Volvo has been vocal about electrification for some time, yet despite having some of the most audacious (and now rescinded) ambitions concerning the elimination of petrol, the brand has historically been without an EV that stands on its own merits. The Volvo EX30 transforms this narrative as the company’s inaugural mass-market, electric-only vehicle.
The starting price of $44,900 / £32,850 / AU$60,000 for the Volvo EX30 makes it a compelling and competitively-priced contender against the Tesla Model Y, particularly outside Europe, where Volvo is viewed as a luxury, higher-end brand. It stands as the most affordable EV that Volvo provides, coming in below the Polestar 2 from Volvo’s sibling brand.
Nonetheless, I believe that some of the most unhelpful lessons have been adopted from Tesla with the EX30. Forsaking buttons and dials is one aspect, but condensing them into multiple failure points is another matter.
Let’s take the EX30 for a drive.
What’s old is rejuvenated
In contrast to Volvo’s other vehicles, the EX30 has a distinctly new vibe. The animated grille and hammer-shaped headlights, the blend of soft curves and sharp panels extending from the rear to the front, along with the substantial tablet centre console, enable the EX30 to assert itself confidently, even alongside newer, more cyberpunk contemporaries (such as the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5).
Considering how visually distinct this vehicle is from previous Volvos, the EX30 resembles more closely the Polestar 2 (often regarded as the futuristic, vibrant luxury alternative to Volvo) rather than the Volvo XC40 (Volvo’s prior most affordable EV, which had started to appear outdated for some time, now rebranded as the EX40).
The version I drove is Volvo’s sportiest variant – a dual motor, AWD edition providing a WLTP range of 460km (253 miles EPA), showcased in a striking electric green/yellow color scheme uncharacteristic of Volvo. Public charging is possible at rates up to 150kW DC with a traditional charger and up to 11kW AC with a competent home AC charger. An emergency wall plug charger is included, offering a standard 2.4kW charging capacity.
Volvo also presents a more affordable ‘single motor extended range’ version of the EX30 in various markets (only the dual motor variant is available in the US) boasting a WLTP range of 480km. Additionally, there is an even less expensive ‘single motor standard range’ model with a WLTP range of 337km, although this version has limited availability and isn’t offered in certain regions, like Australia.
Despite its considerable weight (1,830 – 1,943 kg, depending on the variant), it handles quite agilely on the road, and its turning radius is satisfactory. The suspension implemented in the upscale model provided some of the finest road sensations I’ve experienced in an EV, and regardless of the terrain, the EX30 adeptly met the challenge.
It’s a spacious vehicle with ample trunk capacity – perhaps not enough for a spare wheel compartment, but certainly sufficient for a weekend escape at 318L (or 904L with the seats folded). It also exudes charm with its customizable interior lighting, adaptable cupholders, and its whimsical moose feature under the hood (I adore little easter eggs like this in vehicles). Coupled with Android Automotive, it ranks among the most gratifying ‘smart’ cars on the market.
What’s youthful is aging
Meanwhile, turn signals, wipers, and some headlight adjustments have been consolidated into the left stalk, while the right stalk is exclusively tasked with switching between driving modes (reverse, neutral, drive, and cruise, with the parking brake engaged via a button on the stick). Adjustments for cruise control functions such as lane assistance and distance maintenance must be made within the infotainment system, although thankfully, speed alterations still retain buttons on the steering wheel.
Even the compact glovebox, which is uniquely situated below the touchscreen, can only be accessed through the vehicle’s infotainment interface. There isn’t even a physical on/off switch for the vehicle, and this design extends to the key fob, which has eliminated the typical buttons for manual locking or unlocking. Instead, all operations are conducted through an app, proximity, or by tapping the fob against the driver’s side window column.
These unconventional stick controls led to frequent accidental shifts on the right stalk to activate the wipers, resulting in no response other than the vehicle alerting me that gear shifts are being prevented while in motion. I also experienced an immediate sense of unease not being able to manually lock my car with the fob – although this can still be accomplished via the app.
Additionally, there’s no instrument cluster. There is no speedometer positioned behind the steering wheel, nor an indicator for remaining range, current gear, or any trip data. These details have once again been relegated to the infotainment screen, which means that while operating the vehicle, you must at least partially focus on the central display. This, combined with the absence of physical buttons, may not resonate well with many drivers.
The EV for numerous companies to surpass
At its appealing price point and premium design, the Volvo EX30 is an EV that both patrons and rivals should recognize as a significant competitor to the extraordinarily successful Tesla Model Y. It is just as competent a vehicle, equipped with an Android Automotive operating system that competes with Tesla’s comprehensive software, which also offers a somewhat more traditional driving experience that may appeal to those seeking a more conventional car.
This normalcy, however, does not entirely pervade the vehicle, as significant elements feel directly influenced by Tesla’s controversial minimalism – including the choice to centralize substantial portions of the user interface into singular points, such as the left stalk and the infotainment system.
Competitors to the Volvo EX30 comprise the Tesla Model Y, the Hyundai Kona Electric, the BYD Atto 3 (not sold in the US), and the Kia EV3. Although the last of these vehicles is relatively new to the market, the EX30 is undoubtedly an outstanding contender amidst these rivals. It merits consideration for anyone in pursuit of a compact, luxury-feeling EV with a competent (albeit not class-leading) maximum range.
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