Volvo EX30 Review
Electric Volvo EX30 Review
Volvo is a company undergoing some big changes. It is saying goodbye to its old-school roots, ditching its famous estate cars and diesel engines in favour of a shinier, cleaner and far more electrified future. This car - the EX30 - is core to this endeavour and arrives as the Swedish brand’s cutting-edge entry into the ever-popular electric SUV segment.
But how do you go about reinventing yourself while keeping sight of what made you popular in the first place? That’s the challenge Volvo faces with the EX30. To find out if it has been a success, we’ve been behind the wheel.
What’s new?
There’s a lot that is new with the EX30. It sits on a fresh platform - one shared with the Smart #1, in fact - and with that comes a greater focus on technology and in-car connectivity. As a result, we’ve got a far less button-centric approach than we’ve found on previous Volvo models, though a space-conscious setup means that it hasn’t lost sight of its practicality roots.
A variety of motor options are available on the EX30, too, alongside a series of different interior finishes and features. The new EX30 is also designed to be an EV from the ground up rather than adapted from an existing petrol or diesel platform, too, meaning that it should offer more interior space than older Volvo EVs.
What’s under the bonnet?
As we’ve found with other electric vehicles, the EX30 can be specified with a variety of motor options to offer different levels of performance. But while the range-topping twin-motor version does bring some hot-hatch-beating acceleration, we expect a lot of drivers to opt for the model we’re testing which uses a 268bhp electric motor hooked up to a 69kWh battery for a range of up to 294 miles. Plus, a 153kW charging speed means that a 10 to 80 per cent top-up could be conducted in 30 minutes.
Even in this ‘regular’ setup, the EX30 should still manage the 0-60mph sprint in just over five seconds, so it’ll hardly dawdle away from the lights.
What’s the Volvo EX30 like to drive?
The EX30 has loads of attributes that we’d expect from a Volvo. It’s comfortable over poor surfaces and potholes, while good levels of refinement ensure that it remains hushed - even when travelling at motorway speeds. We also like the steering, which feels relatively quick but composed enough to make the EX30 feel settled and confidence-inspiring, regardless of the speed you’re travelling.
The thin rear screen does mean that rearward visibility isn’t the best, though your view forward isn’t too bad thanks to the slim pillars. Plus, the EX30’s boxy dimensions make it a breeze to park - with a new gear selector mounted on the steering column helping to make manoeuvres even easier.
How does it look?
Luckily, the EX30 is still very much recognisable as a Volvo. However, there are loads of cool new features to get people talking, such as the intricate headlights and the dynamic rear lighting structure. It’s also not overly large, something we appreciate in the age of super-sized SUVs.
It’s all very well tied together while the Volvo branding itself is just as subtle as we’d expect from this carmaker. A rather understated range of exterior colours is broken up by a fantastically bright ‘moss yellow’ shade, too.
What’s the Volvo EX30 like inside?
If you thought previous Volvo interiors were simple, things are taking to another level with the EX30. It’s all incredibly stripped-back, with subtle designs and an incredible lack of buttons. Everything is centred around the main touchscreen - more on that later - and even the window controls are as minimal as can be.
Fortunately, there’s a decent level of space to provide a background to all this, with the EX30’s boxy shape providing a good amount of headroom. There’s also a 318-litre boot to use alongside an additional storage area under the bonnet which is ideal for storing the car’s charging cables.
What’s the spec like?
Volvo has taken an entirely button-free approach inside the EX30. While that does make it all quite clean and hassle-free, it also impacts general usability - the main screen is jam-packed with features and that means it’s not quite as accessible as a couple of quick-use buttons. Changing the volume, for instance, is more of a faff than it needs to be.
However, everything does feel nicely put together with good materials used throughout. We’re also a fan of the screen’s Android Automotive operating system, which means you have loads of those must-have apps - such as Google Maps - pre-installed. It’ll also calculate your range and judge if you need to charge up, suggesting a logical charging point for you to visit on your way.
Verdict
This new EX30 represents a whole new frontier for Volvo. It’s tech-packed, has a good amount of range and feels sturdily built, which is just what we expect from this brand. The infotainment screen could do with some finessing, for sure, but thanks to over-the-air updates we expect Volvo could tweak this as time passes.
With a seven-seater EV on the way in the form of the EX90, there’s an even more practical option on the way but for now, the EX30 makes a good deal of sense if you’re after a new family EV.
