Volvo EX30 on test: My conclusion in everyday life

There are a few electric cars I’m really excited about this year and the Volvo EX30 is one of them. It’s not overly expensive (for a Volvo), it’s a small electric car and the brand is appealing to a new target group.

There is also a new version of Android Automotive and for about 50,000 euros you will get performance that will leave behind even one or two Porsche Taycans, because it can reach 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds.

I took a close look at this version (with two motors) in everyday life for a few days and I would like to give you my conclusions today. As always, it starts with a few bullet points and then comes my very basic conclusion at the end.

Volvo EX30 on test: My highlights

• The Design I like the EX30, it looks a bit like a T-Roc like an electric car from Volvo (comment from my father, who drives a T-Roc) or the SUV version of the VW ID.3, which is also in its class. poaching I wouldn’t choose Moss Yellow as a color because I don’t like bright colors that draw attention to you (EX30 does). But in black I find the car (I’ve seen it in person) very attractive. Workmanship is similar to Volvo, you don’t see any difference to more expensive SUVs, the doors are tightly closed, everything fits.
• New internal space I also really like the look of it, I also like that it’s very minimalistic, but the hardware doesn’t look high-end. It’s not cheap (as in high-gloss plastic), but it’s worth it. It is suitable considering the basic price, but a high-quality option as an extra will not be bad in the long run, after all you can spend more than 50,000 euros. And there is still room for improvement when it comes to hardware. By the way, there are no displays behind the steering wheel, only large displays in the middle that show everything, and also no head displays. This is a Tesla recall and saves costs. I could do without the display behind the steering wheel, but the head-up display is something you are used to as an extra in this price range and should be added later; At least there are still normal levers, which I really miss on the new Tesla Model 3, which I am currently testing. Otherwise I can handle it this way and there are actual pressure points on the buttons on the steering wheel, which is nice.

• It’s a small car Space is available therefore it is average. But not bad for this size. I couldn’t sit behind me, but at 1.90 m I sit very comfortably in the front and there is a small (often dirty) space for charging cables and a decent trunk that is well built. But you should know that this is not a family SUV like the ones we usually see from Volvo, this is more complex.
• I was surprised by that Performance, because I like Volvo’s way of thinking. This EX30 is faster than the Polestar Performance 2. When it comes to brands like VW, people hesitate because there’s Audi and Porsche, but Volvo doesn’t care and I think that’s cool and fun. Unfortunately, the EX30 is less sporty and more designed for comfort, so it rides a little “smooth” for my taste. When it comes to performance equipment, you may also want to think about the “real” performance version, which has a solid and sporty chassis. Basically, the Volvo EX30 drives very well, it is quiet, it sits well on the road and the insulation is also good, even on the road (which, by the way, stops at 180 km / h, although there are more than 400). HP).

• For Frequency Volvo says 450 km for this version and you can get a few more km without the two engines, but that’s not much. Consumption is not very low and more than 300 km is not possible, even with acceptable temperatures at the moment. This also applies if you don’t turn on the power switch (you can choose between range and power). The big version only comes with 69 kW, so other brands like VW give a touch more in their big batteries, which means you can break 500 km in WLTP value and thus 400 km in everyday life. For the new version I would also like a slightly bigger battery.
• The small battery also ensures that 150 kW Ladeleistung Don’t stand too badly, because some offer a little more. However, you can reach 80 percent in less than 30 minutes, which is good for this class. The wall box or public charging station only charges with 11 kW, unless you choose the expensive Ultra version, then there is also 22 kW. You don’t have to offer this in the basic version, but I would like to see it in the Plus version.
• The main thing for me was that Program, because I like the possibilities of Android Automotive, so far I have found the software on Volvo (and Polestar) to be visual, but it works more like this. There is a brand new version in the EX30 and not only did it work well and reliably, it finally looks good and there is the usual range of applications such as Spotify, YouTube, the browser and much more. Finally it’s Android, so more and more apps are added. And Google’s paid programming is also improving, so you can learn something new. By the way, Apple CarPlay is also available and wireless, so it’s perfect for me. Ironically, Volvo’s cheapest electric car currently offers the brand’s best program, and the EX40 and EC40 need to quickly follow suit.

• One Program Of course, there is one too and you can use it to control things like the air conditioner etc., which you know from a modern electric car.
• The Single Pedal Driving it might be better, because you can’t configure it. There are two ways (as mentioned above, range and performance) and in one case the return is stronger, you can even stop, in the other option you move almost like a combustion engine. But even with a more powerful option, I would like more powerful performance to stand through recovery. So I always find it useful that you can set Single Pedal Steering with 2-3 options, no matter how you drive. But it’s there and it’s okay, but it could be a little better.
• The Price it starts at around 37,000 euros, but you only get a range of 344 kilometers If you need more, it starts at around 43,000 euros. And there are no extras included, so the Plus package will be a must for me, in fact even the Ultra package, as I want 22 kW for AC charging, a heat pump and a 360 degree view. The Volvo EX30 is not cheap, but I don’t think it’s expensive so much for Volvo too. The price is about the same as the VW ID.3 and I would probably prefer the Volvo EX30.

Volvo EX30 on test: My conclusion

We need cheap and compact electric cars now that we have enough to choose from when it comes to expensive and large models. Honestly, I wouldn’t classify the EX30 as a cheap electric car, but that’s OK for a Volvo.

What’s interesting is that they are poaching in the territory of Volkswagen and Co., where Volvo does not operate. And the EX30 might be a better alternative for some. I think it’s a good alternative to the VW ID.3, Cupra Born and Co.

In principle, I can recommend the Volvo EX30, but since you can break 50,000 euros, a slightly bigger battery and things like a head-up display would be nice. I don’t expect that with the basic version, but with the advanced version.

Looks, design, performance, software, the Volvo EX30 does a lot of things well and I love the new version of Android Automotive. Although Volvo is now dependent on Google, it offers an excellent range of in-car apps.

By the way, other alternatives from Geely would be the Smart #1, which I don’t like the look of, and the upcoming Zeekr X, which I also find very interesting and will definitely check it out when it launches in Germany.

But if you’re looking for an electric second car that’s smaller and has great software, looks and performance, you’ll find it here. As long as he has the necessary money, because the price is not expensive for Volvo, but of course that does not make the EX30 a cheap electric car, there is still something missing.

PS: I can understand why brands like to use attractive color for media cars, people also like to turn. But I prefer it to be simple and I have already seen the Volvo EX30 in this version in everyday life. To be honest, this is what a compact electric car looks like:

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