Test: Volvo EX30, style without substance? (2024)

After Volvo’s renaissance over the past decade with the XC90, V60 and XC40, the iconic Northern European brand is now shifting gears. With the EX30, Volvo is pointing the way to a fully electric future, sponsored by Chinese parent company Geely.

outside

While we can’t argue with taste and color, it has to be said that Volvo has often been a stylish choice in recent years. The EX30 continues in the same vein and adorns its Geely SEA platform with square shapes, clean lines and refined light signature. As usual, the front is dominated by the visual signature called ‘Thor’s Hammer’. There is also no grille at all. After all, this is an electric car.

A few codes have been broken in the past. There are still vertical headlights typical of Swedish station wagons and SUVs, but here they are in two places. In general, this 4.23 m long crossover still manages to leave its mark on the road, not only thanks to its design, but also thanks to its wheelbase of 2.65 meters and its large 18-inch wheels.

Internal affairs

While the exterior offers the appearance of a modern high-class diamond, the interior of the new EX30 is a combination of design … and savings! It all starts with a 12-inch central screen tablet. Not only does it run the infotainment system (from Google), but it’s also the only display on the dashboard…

Worse, you have to use this screen for all controls, be it driver assistance, air conditioning or seat heating. Even adjusting the mirrors or opening the (small) glove box must be done through this screen! The confusion continues with the window controls, which are located on the center console. Under the guise of modernity, Volvo fails to hide these savings. Evidence of this is the Harman/Kardon sound bar in the dashboard, which sounds flat and almost non-existent in the back seat.

However, the electric platform should allow the EX30 to excel in terms of interior space. Well no! Indeed, considering the external dimensions, we should not expect much. However, the back seat also suffers from a lack of legroom. The result is that adults sit with their knees in their faces. Boot space is also disappointing, with only 318 liters available, of which 61 liters are under the floor. Fortunately there is a luggage compartment in the front … but with 7 liters that frunk is not even enough for two charging cables! What is the point?

Engine

Already in its introduction, the Volvo EX30 shone with a variety of engines. In the language that Swedes are accustomed to using the XC40 and C40, the entry-level model is the EX30 Single Motor. It is powered by a 272 hp electric motor on the rear axle and has a range of approximately 350 km thanks to a 51 kWh LFP battery.

Just above this is the heart of the range: the Extended Range EX30 Single Motor. This uses the same power train, but this time adds a 69 kWh NMH battery. In ideal conditions, this gives a range of up to 476 km (WLTP). Want a supplement? The top model is called Twin Motor Performance and adds a 115 kW motor to the front axle for a total of 428 hp. The result: this small electric crossover accelerates from 0-100 km / h in just 3.6 seconds! That’s faster than the Porsche 911 Carrera S…

Driving behavior

Dynamics, an unexpected positive step in the driving experience of this Volvo EX30. The Swedes can thank Geely for the SEA platform – which is also shared by the Smart #1 and #3 – because this hybrid is very convincing when it comes to the compromise between comfort and dynamics.

That said, there are still a few complaints, mostly to do with the software. Regeneration when lifting the foot is difficult to adjust – the logic of ‘all or nothing’ – and the system that monitors the driver’s attention (required by Europe) is very strict. It asks you to always look ahead… just trying to check your speed on the main screen!

You are also having trouble finding your app on this main screen. After going through 36 menus, we finally found that our Extended Range Motor Single used 19.5 kWh/100 km. That’s a lot for such a small animal. Worse, the 100-mile round trip on the highway was interrupted by a stop to charge, although we saw more than 220 miles on display before leaving…

Price

Volvo carefully inspected every part of the EX30 to keep the price down. In this way it wants to make a stand against the rush of Chinese competitors. Interesting note: The EX30 is currently also starting production in China. Production will only start at Volvo Ghent next year.

However, all these savings, no matter how frustrating they can be at times, have their consequences. The entry-level model (Motor Single, 51 kWh) starts at €38,990, while the version with a larger battery starts at €44,260. However, the heat pump is only available on the top Ultra model. Therefore, our test sample cost more than 52,000 euros. Well done.

Decision

If you are looking for a Volvo that combines practicality with Scandinavian design, then this EX30 is not your answer. In addition to its shortcomings in terms of interior space and ergonomics, the smallest of the Swedes convinces thanks to its efficient chassis, the type of engine and its price.