Volvo EX30 Review

The Volvo EX30 marks Volvo's entry into the compact and affordable EV segment, boasting a strong emphasis on sustainability and recycling. Built on a new platform shared with Geely, its parent company, the EX30 shares its underpinnings with the Smart#1 and Zeekr X.

Available Variants in Australia:

• EX30 Single Motor Extended Plus – $59,990
• EX30 Single Motor Extended Ultra – $64,990
• EX30 Twin Motor Performance Ultra – $69,990

I reviewed the Single Motor Extended Ultra model, equipped with an optional upgraded wheel package available only on the Twin Motor Performance variant.

▶️MORE: 2024 Volvo EX30 price and specs: Value premium electric SUV

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Exterior: True to its roots, the EX30 sports a Volvo-esque design, blending sportiness with elegance. The refined Thor's Hammer LED headlights and a sleek, closed-off grille enhance its frontal aesthetic, further accentuated by the Volvo logo at the grille's centre.

Colour Options:

• Moss Yellow
• Cloud Blue
• Vapour Grey
• Crystal White
• Onyx Black (available in a single-tone option)

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Stepping inside the EX30, the cabin is dominated by a minimalist design ethos and a centrally positioned tablet. Volvo's focus on recycling is evident, with interior options like Breeze, Mist, Pine and Indigo showcasing upholstery and décor made from renewable and recycled materials, including flax, ground plastic waste, and recycled denim fibres.

If you're big on contributing to sustainability, you should enjoy the look, feel, and how you feel about the interior. The interior does however not give off the vibe of plush luxury.

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It does feel like they are trying to keep the price down in areas, but usually, this is through a clever execution. For example, the Harman Kardon sound bar has five integrated speakers located at the base of the windshield. There are no speakers in the door panels. It looks good, but I didn't think the sound was world-class.

The front of the cabin feels surprisingly spacious, akin to a larger vehicle. However, the rear seats tell a different story—legroom is limited, though headroom is sufficient, and the back support is commendable.

The noticeable absence of an armrest in the back might be a minor gripe for some.

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It’s a Volvo so you expect a focus on safety. There’s an extensive array of driver assistant features, with an extensive use of sensors and radars focused on driving safety. However, as I mention in my driving experience, some of the technology I felt doesn't always result in real-world practical safety.

Safety features include:

• 360° camera, 3D view
• Lane Departure Warning
• Rear Collision Warning
• Front Cross Traffic Alert
• Lane Keeping Aid
• Pilot Assist
• Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA)
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert with autobrake
• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)
• Oncoming Mitigation by Braking
• Oncoming Lane Mitigation
• Pedestrian and cyclist steering avoidance
• Low speed autobrake, rear

Due to my limited time with the EX30 I didn't have sufficient time to properly test its driving range and charging capabilities. Based on claim figures however it has above average range (480km) and average charging speeds (153kW DC) for vehicles in it class.

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After driving the Volvo EX30, my strongest feelings on the vehicle are: A - Awesome driving performance, and B - the Safety Features user experience annoyed me, impacting the awesome driving experience.

The EX30 provides a very comfortable, responsive driving experience. For pure driving, it’s one of the best cars I’ve driven recently.

The visibility is very good out the front. I liked the mirrorless side mirrors. One pedal drive works well. In the Volvo XC40, which I've previously reviewed, it was a bit dramatic, whereas this is a lot smoother in its transition as it slows down. Acceleration is fantastic, especially when you need to enter a gap in the traffic.

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Getting to my gripe, the Safety Feature interface on the screen. It’s only given a small area of screen space, the top left of the screen. It’s hard to see and requires a reasonable amount of head movement to focus on. And if you spend too much time looking at it, you're getting warnings from the driving safety sensor on the dash telling you to get your eyes back on the road. The more I drove the car, the more this annoyed me. Even now, it still annoys me.

It may be that I just needed more time to get familiar with this setup, but I do think at least the visual safety data should get more screen space.

Overall, the Volvo EX30 impresses with its design, sustainability focus, and driving dynamics. Priced competitively and cleverly designed to maximise interior space, it is well-suited for a variety of road conditions and definitely merits a test drive for those in the market for an innovative and compact EV.

▶️Watch the full video review