Test: Volvo EX30, electric car with shape (2024)

After the revival of Volvo and XC90, V60 and others XC40 more than ten years ago, the brand logo from northern Europe has become the second. Towards an all-electric future, sponsored by Chinese parent company Geely, Volvo is leading the way with the EX30.

outside

Although we can’t really discuss the taste and color, it must be said that Volvo has been unanimous in recent years. The EX30 continues this momentum and adorns its SEA platform from Geely with square shapes, clean lines and high-quality lighting. As always, the signature look kindly called “Thor’s hammer” dominates the front. We also see the complete absence of a grille. It’s electricity, after all.

On the reverse side, some codes are broken. We still get the vertical headlights typical of Swedish station wagons and SUVs, but here they are in two places. Finally, this crossover, with a length of only 4.23 meters, can still stand on the road, thanks to its design but also thanks to its 2.65 meter wheel and its large 18 inch rims.

Internal affairs

While its exterior styling gives it the appearance of a small, modern, high-end diamond, the interior of the new EX30 is a combination of design … and savings! It all starts with the central 12-inch touchscreen tablet. Not only does it take care of entertainment (and Google), but it’s also the only on-board instrument display…

Worse: you also have to go through this screen for all controls, be it for driving aids, air conditioning or heated seats. Even fixing the mirrors or opening the (small) glove box requires this! The confusion continues with the window controls, which are located on the center console and only two in number. Under the guise of modernity, Volvo however fails to hide these savings. Proof of this is – yes, another one – the Harman/Kardon sound bar on the dashboard with a flat sound and almost non-existent in the rear seats.

Never mind that the electric platform should make the EX30 shine in terms of housing. Well no! Indeed, considering the external dimensions, you should not expect much. However, the reduced back seat also suffers from the absence of legroom. The result: adults will have their knees on their faces. Trunk volume is also mixed, with only 318 liters available, including 61 liters under the floor. Fortunately, there is a trunk in the front … but with 7 liters available, it can’t even carry two charging cables! What is the meaning?

Engine

Since its launch, the Volvo EX30 shines with its engine. In the language that the Swedes are used to with the XC40 and C40, we find the entry-level EX30 Single Motor. It is powered by a 272 hp electric motor on the rear axle and has a range of around 350 km thanks to a 51 kWh LFP battery.

Above, we find the heart of the range: the Extended Range EX30 Single Motor. It uses the same engine but this time it adds a 69 kWh NMH battery. The range thus increases to 476 km (WLTP) in the best conditions. Want even more? The top of the range is called Twin Motor Performance and adds a 115 kW motor to the front axle to produce a total of 428 hp. The result: this small electric crossover goes from 0-100 km / h in just 3.6 seconds! It is faster than the Porsche 911 Carrera S…

On the road

Dynamics: this is an unexpectedly good point of the driving experience of this Volvo EX30. The Swedes can thank Geely for the SEA platform – also shared by the Smart #1 and #3 – because this hybrid is convincing in terms of comfort/dynamic compromises.

However, complaints persist and are mainly related to the program. Regeneration when lifting the leg is difficult to adjust – the logic of “all or nothing” – and the system of careful monitoring of the driver (required by Europe) is very strict. It constantly asks us to look ahead… while trying to control our speed on the main screen!

On this middle screen, it is also difficult to find its use. After wandering through 36 menus, we finally found that our Single Motor Extended Range Test model consumed 19.5 kWh/100 km. That’s a lot for such a small animal. Worse: the 160 km round trip on the highway was interrupted by a charging station even though we saw more than 350 km of autonomy displayed before leaving…

Price

All these savings, however frustrating they may be, should help Volvo keep the price down. This cannot be denied. The entry level (Motor Single, 51 kWh) starts at €38,990 (France: €37,500), while the larger battery version costs a total of €44,260 (France: €41,700). It should be noted, however, that the heat pump is only available at the top of the Ultra range…

Decision

If you see a Volvo is a car that combines practicality and style as only the Nordics know how to do…this EX30 is not one of them! However, despite its shortcomings in housing and ergonomics, the smallest of the Swedes convinces with its efficient chassis, its engine types and its price.