Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range 2024 review: snapshot

Despite the lack of a traditional grille the Volvo EX30 is instantly recognisable as a contemporary Volvo and that’s down to more than a stylised version of the Swedish maker’s ‘Iron Mark’ logo on the nose. Everything from the signature ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights to the chunky rear haunches, blocky indents along the flanks and characteristically curved bonnet give the game away.

It’s offered in three models and this Single-Motor Extended Range is the entry point, available in two grades - ‘Plus’ at $59,990, before on-road costs and ‘Ultra’ weighing in at $64,990.

Aside from its standard safety and performance tech, the entry-level Plus version features a solid list of standard equipment. The highlights are ambient lighting, Harman Kardon audio, in-built navigation, dual-zone climate control, a power-operated tailgate, adaptive cruise, 19-inch alloy rims and a 12.3-inch (portrait) tablet display for virtually all media and car functions. 

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Explore the 2024 Volvo EX30 Range

Volvo EX30 2025 review: Twin Motor Performance Ultra long-term | Part 3 Volvo EX30 2025 review: Single Motor Extended Range Ultra Volvo EX30 2025 review: Twin Motor Performance Ultra Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance 2024 review: snapshot Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range 2024 review: snapshot

Step up to the Ultra grade and additional fruit includes a panoramic roof, 360-degree camera view, ‘Park Assist Pilot’, electrically adjustable heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and 20-inch alloys.

The interior is strictly a leather-free zone, the cabin swathed in recycled and renewable materials and you can choose from four interior themes, or 'rooms' as Volvo refers to them. 

The EX30 is a five-seater. The front seats are comfy and supportive, even after lengthy stints on the road. Move to the rear, however, and the limitations of the car’s overall footprint are apparent. 

As its name implies, the EX30 Single-Motor Extended Range is powered by a rear-mounted single permanent magnet synchronous motor sending 200kW/343Nm to the rear wheels via a single-speed reduction auto transmission. Juice is provided by a 400V 69kWh lithium-ion battery.

Volvo says the single motor EX30 has an estimated (WLTP) range of up to 480km. And in terms of charging, peak DC capacity through the Type 2 CCS connection is 153kW and on a suitably rapid charger the 69kWh battery can be boosted from 10 to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes, which is pretty great.

Active (crash-avoidance) tech is comprehensive and passive (injury minimisation) measures include eight airbags and a ‘Whiplash injury protection system’ (WIPS).

The EX30 is covered by Volvo’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, with the drive battery covered for eight years, both pretty standard for the category. The service interval is two years / 150,000km and the first two visits to the workshop cost $0, so the price is right for the duration of the five-year warranty.