Volvo EX30 on test – we are very disappointed!

View the Volvo EX30 from the manufacturer

Along with the EX90, this small crossover SUV is Volvo’s most important launch. The XC40 and XC60 Recharge have topped the sales charts in recent months, just behind the Tesla Model Y. But these cars have been on the market for a long time.

The new EX30 is Volvo’s first electric car, built on a new, specially designed platform. So expectations for my white EX30 test car with rear-wheel drive and a larger battery were similarly high.

The first thing that catches my eye is the exterior design. The car looks very good, the design team was apparently inspired by “Star Wars”. The car is small and only 4.2 meters long. The EX30 is sold in three different versions – two versions with rear-wheel drive and different battery sizes and one with two motors and a larger battery.

The all-wheel drive version offers impressive performance, but the rear-wheel drive “long-range” model also impresses on paper with its 272 horsepower.

Don’t worry about weaknesses

The new key is a piece of plastic with no buttons. Of course, the EX30 is keyless, so I assumed the car would lock and unlock when I approach or leave the car.

But that’s not how the EX30 works. You lock and unlock the driver’s door. Just there. Even if you have the key in your pocket. Very difficult. And the car needs time to react.

It usually takes two to three failed attempts at the car door before the car will unlock. Several times I leave the car and go into the house only to find that the Volvo has not turned itself off but is parked in the driveway with the lights on. What was Volvo thinking?

Mikael Lindkvist

Mikael Lindkvist

Mikael Lindkvist

The interior of the car, with many materials made of recycled plastic, is clean and modest. Like Tesla, Volvo has also removed the screen behind the steering wheel and most of the buttons in the car. Everything fits on the 12.3-inch screen in the center. I’m not a big fan of having to move my eyes to the side when I want to look at the speedometer. But that was my little problem with the Volvo EX30.

It takes time to get to know the inside of a car. There are no speakers or buttons built into the door. To lower the windows, you have to use the buttons in the center of the armrest instead. The glove compartment is in the middle of the car and you open it with a button on the touch screen. From here you also control the climate, lighting and all other functions. And most of them are hidden behind several menus.

Volvo

Volvo

Volvo

There is a small sensor in front of the steering wheel that detects whether you are facing forward or not. He immediately responds when you yawn and suggests a coffee break. But it also warns me when I look over my shoulder or otherwise pay attention to my surroundings. Or if I’m looking at a really big screen, which unfortunately can’t be helped.

First, you should turn off the speed alarm and the alarm system in the vehicle equipped with these tools. Inaccurate signal and map data often lead to errors and false warnings. You can easily disable the speed warning by assigning this function to your favorite button on the steering wheel. However, the caution alert requires seven clicks on the touch screen until it is turned off. And this is important every time you start the car.

Mikael Lindkvist

Mikael Lindkvist

Mikael Lindkvist

But the worst part is that many other important functions also require multiple button presses on the screen. Automatic climate control. Light. Repair rear view mirrors.

Of course, you do a lot of this before you start. But if you’ve been driving for a while, you know that sometimes you need to change things up while driving. For example, turning off the direct high beam, turning on the fog lights or activating the seat heating. You can do some of these things with voice commands. Thanks to Google Assistant, these are implemented instantly by the car.

Just about meets the three second rule

And then there is the issue of Pilot Assist for a long time Volvo has been a leader in cruise control and lane departure warning. This works very well here too. But if you want to change the distance of the car in front, you must first find this function in the settings menu. There are also only three routes to choose from and the longest distance is not enough to meet the three second rule.

There are buttons on the steering wheel to control the cruise control speed, music system and more. There is one button area per page that you have to press in the right place with your thumb. It is impossible to feel exactly where to press. It’s as if Volvo has done everything to make you take your eyes off the road as often as possible.

Mikael Lindkvist

Mikael Lindkvist

Mikael Lindkvist

But what about the fun of driving? It’s absolutely amazing! The car is lively and easy to drive. It’s not set too hard, but I still feel like I always have good contact with the road. And when I drive in the city, the Volvo EX30 is also energy efficient.

On the highway it’s a different matter. The front seats are comfortable and sound insulation is at least acceptable. But the energy consumption increases rapidly when you exceed 90 km/h. During one trip I used an average of 23 kilowatt hours per 100 km.

The navigation device recalculates the estimated range based on my driving style. But the actual range on the screen is often given using unrealistic WLTP numbers.

Fast charging up to 80 percent

I couldn’t find an option in the car or in the app to turn on the battery heating manually. The vehicle’s navigation device directs the driver to the appropriate charging stations. At one point I reached around 150 kilowatts, close to the theoretical upper limit.

After the battery level of 80 percent, the speed decreases to 50 kilowatts, which is understandable. But when the car slowed down to 22 kilowatts shortly after passing 85 percent, I was disappointed. Be prepared for a long break if you want to fully charge the battery.

While charging you can use some downloadable apps, such as YouTube. However, my registration got stuck during two-step verification and I was able to use the app after about 15 minutes.

Volvo has removed the speakers from the doors. Instead, the manufacturer relies on a smart and stylish sound bar from Harman/Kardon that extends under the windshield. This sounds great, but I miss the enveloping sound of multiple speakers around me.

I read somewhere on the Volvo website that the car is described as a family car. However, the high floor and low legroom in the back seat make it very uncomfortable if you are over 12 years old. The back seat also lacks a center armrest and cup holder, instead there is an empty storage box. mean in the middle.

Mikael Lindkvist

Mikael Lindkvist

Mikael Lindkvist

As you can understand, I am very disappointed with the Volvo EX30. It could have been really cool if the design team hadn’t thrown away Volvo’s usual safety thinking. Here design takes precedence over functionality.

How many people will sit back and enjoy the “Islands” experience by changing the color of the light panel while charging the car? And how many people were involved in developing the “Interior Breeze” interior theme, with finishes reminiscent of my concrete garage floor?

I think a lot of people are still interested in this car. Volvo’s strong brand and strong marketing campaign arouse enthusiasm. But before you think about buying, you should swallow a bitter pill: The price of the Volvo EX30 starts at 37,240 euros. With this you get a small battery and not a heat pump. This function, which is important for climate efficiency, is only available in the Ultra package from 49,740 euros.

If you choose a large battery with this level of equipment, and perhaps tinted rear windows, then you will quickly reach 55,000 euros. That is very expensive! More expensive than the Tesla Model 3 and almost on par with the Model Y.

This pilot report was originally published by our sister publication M3.se and was translated and adapted by us.