Volvo EX30 TEST: small but bold

In 2019, the Q40 the five-door hatchback has disappeared from the scene. This model sold well, especially in our region, but has not yet found a successor. THE SUV dominate today and is therefore the subject of increased attention from Volvo. We can’t blame the Swedes (or the Chinese from parent company Geely), who set a new world record last March with 78,970 cars sold in one month. The most popular examples are XC60,, XC40 and XC90 which are similar in that they are all SUVs.

Meanwhile, Volvo aspires to be a fully electric brand by 2030. So the electric compact SUV matched its new ideals. Prepared on the same basis as Smart #1 and #3 and Zeek Xnew EX30A segment B electric SUV with a length of 4,233 mm.

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Volvo EX30

Attractive design

The EX30 is smaller, but it feels bigger. In our opinion, this is one of them more beautiful cars of recent years. It’s all a matter of taste, of course. But does that make it a good car? That is another question. For this, we took the wheel ofExtended Series EX30 Single Motor.

Play livery noir ruby which is probably not the most suitable, our car has no contrast effect sun roof black, standard on the Ultra version. Other styling elements, such as the horizontal strips between the taillights that give the car a wider look, are also less appealing because they are also black in color. We prefer to choose blue cloud, a shade of blue that sometimes looks white depending on the light. Or maybe you prefer Moss Yellowthat reminds you of the 850 T-5R?

Volvo EX30

Time to get used to it

The difference between the EX30 and the regular car is immediately apparent. The doors don’t open with a traditional key, but with a key ring. Just put it in your pocket and grab the door handle to open the doors. Another option is to hold important card against pillar B or Volvo software.

Inside, you have no instrument in front of you: no meter, no screen. There is only one camera who monitors that you keep your eyes on the road and that you drive with caution. Don’t you dare yawn or you will be booed straight away!

It takes a little research in terms of command. To fix it wing mirror, this happens on the screen, then use the buttons on the right side of the steering wheel. Lighting is also done through the screen, as is the air circulation and the opening of glove box.

Tablet and sound bar

The A mid-range 12.3-inch tablet so it plays an important role in this EX30. The number of physical bonds is limited. Fortunately, the infotainment system is one of the best of its kind and is very clear and easy to use. It runs Android Auto and features like google maps (navigation) and Google Assistant (voice assistant) are directly connected. The car perfectly understands your voice commands such as “Hey Google, turn on the radio” or “Hey Google, tell a joke”.

Another feature: under the windshield there is loud speaker (with five speakers as usual and nine here). It’s smartly integrated, although we would have expected better sound quality. Another bad side: logos Harman Kardon appears in the windshield.

This soundbar allowed the designers to save space on the front doors and wires. For the same reason, electric window buttons they are not on the doors, but on the central console. The latter is also very well organized: you can open the cup holders in two movements or take the compartment from the car. There is no shortage of storage space.

Volvo EX30

It is compressed in the back

For lahead, the seat is better. The seat and steering wheel offer plenty of adjustment options and your body – in good Volvo tradition – is well supported. An elegant selection of accessories is also a property. Don’t look for leather, Volvo has chosen material processed by renewablesuch as floor mats made from old fishing nets or decorative denim panelsmade from residual fibers from the recycling process jeans (in Indigo interior). First and very successful.

forback, the picture is not encouraging. The back seat is too short andfoot position East not enough for adults, even under V40. On the other hand, the headroom is correct and the panoramic roof enhances the sense of space. So kids will enjoy staying there. THE trunk volume it is average (318 liters), although the possibility to lower the floor is a good thing. Appreciated information: the diagram shows the items that can be stored inside. In front, you still have a small extra trunk (frunk) of 7 liters, for example by cable.

Fun to drive

The up and down steering wheel is very comfortable to hold. This bodes well fun driving, and these expectations are fully met. The steering of the EX30 is very direct and it is possible to adjust the steering feel (soft, medium or hard). Compact dimensions make the EX30 very compact quick. Add up propulsion with 272 horsepower and get a powerful cocktail. The sprint to 100 km/h is completed in 5.3 seconds.

In addition, and this is sometimes disappointing with electric cars, Volvo has managed to maintain a suspension it’s surprising comfortable. Our test car has 19-inch tires (20-inch is also possible, but it seems too much for us) and takes the potholes of Belgian roads with ease. This is the best and makes the EX30 a very pleasant car to drive. There reduce noise and the silence of electric driving also adds to its comfort.

They are annoying speed warnings and caution is less than pleasant. Single pedal operation also applies the brakes suddenly. Speed warnings and the pedal system can be turned off via the central screen or via a customizable button on the left side of the steering wheel (the same button for both functions, so the choice must be made in advance via the main screen).

In terms of security, it is worth mentioning Reserve Pilot Assistant (useful for automatic parking) and Door Opening Alert (which warns of the presence ofother road users when you open the door). the fact that see speedyou have to always look at the top left of the screen, it’s not sure.

Usage

The Extended Range of One Motor, with its 69 kWh battery, is promising use of WLTP of 17 kWh/100 km. Under certain circumstances (and many of single pedal operation), can be achieved, but usage is highly variable. We found an average of 17 and 21 kWh/100 km. For a car this size, that’s pretty high. L’freedom the maximum is 476 kilometers (compared to 337 km for the Single Motor and 450 km for the 428 hp Twin Motor Performance). Do not rely on these figures, 350 to 400 km is more realistic.

On top of DC fast charger, the Extended Series EX30 Single Motor reaches up to 153 kW. Fasting took 39 minutes to charge the battery from 27% to 90%. Note: Only Ultra has a on-board charger 22 kW in changing the course (instead of 11 kW).

Conclusion

The Volvo EX30 offers an incredible balance in terms of design, driving comfort and performance, which is good news for Volvo Car Gent. Currently, the EX30 still comes from Zhangjiakou in China, but from 2025 – the exact start of production is still unknown – it will also come off the production line in Ghent. The price of the Extended Series EX30 Single Motor is unfortunately not very attractive: 44,260 euros (Core) and even 50,960 euros (Ultra). For a B segment car, that’s a lot. If you can live with exceptional ergonomics, don’t need a lot of space in the back, and don’t mind spending money, you’ll be very happy with this Volvo.