Volvo EX30 2024 review

The EX30 is offered in three models, the Single-Motor Extended Range in Plus grade at $59,990, before on-road costs, or Ultra spec at $64,990. The Twin Motor Performance Ultra weighs in at $69,990.

That puts it in the same part of the world as other small Euro EV SUVs like the Mini Cooper SE ($64,975-$65,325) and recently released Renault Megane E-Tech ($64,990). As well as the Kia Niro Electric ($66,590-$72,360).

But it also puts the squeeze on BMW’s new iX2 ($82,900-$85,700) and slightly bigger contenders like the (non-N) Hyundai Ioniq 5 ($65,000-$84,000), Tesla Model Y ($63,500-$82,900), Subaru Solterra ($69,990-$76,990) and Toyota bZ4X ($66,000-$74,900).

The EX30 starts at $59,990, before on-roads. (Image: James Cleary)

Aside from the standard safety and performance tech covered separately a little later, the entry-level Plus version of the EX30 Single-Motor Extended Range features a solid list of standard equipment, including a ‘dual tone’ roof treatment, ‘Digital Key’ (remote lock/unlock and low-speed car manoeuvring via smartphone), wireless charging, ambient lighting, Harman Kardon audio, wireless Apple CarPlay and (voice-activated) Google functionality, in-built navigation, dual-zone climate control, power-operated tailgate, front parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, LED head-, tail-lights and DRLs, rain-sensing wipers, 19-inch alloy rims and a 12.3-inch (portrait) tablet display for virtually all media and car functions (updated over-the-air).

12.3-inch tablet display pictured.

Step up to the Ultra grade (in single or twin motor) and additional fruit includes a (fixed) panoramic roof, 360-degree camera view, ‘Park Assist Pilot’, electrically adjustable heated front seats (with four-way lumbar adjust), tinted rear windows, a heated steering wheel and 20-inch alloys.

Interestingly, the nine-speaker, 1040W Harman Kardon audio set-up is driven through a single sound bar-style installation across the dash at the base of the windscreen. Sound quality is top-shelf and Volvo says this centralisation not only liberates space in the doors and elsewhere but reduces weight and material use.

Overall, within its minimalist approach, the EX30 stacks up well in terms of included features for the asking price and relative to its competitors.

Measuring a fraction over 4.2m end-to-end, a little more than 1.8m wide and less than 1.6m tall the five-seat EX30 is city-sized. And even though the wheels are pushed out to the corners the 2650mm wheelbase is far from limo-like.

That said, the low-key, low-level dash design provides plenty of breathing space up front and headroom for the driver and co-pilot is excellent (helped in no small part by the Ultra grade's panoramic roof providing extra height ). 

Move to the rear, however, and the limitations of the car’s overall footprint are apparent. Again, headroom is fine, but sitting behind the driver’s seat set for my (183cm) position toe- and legroom are marginal. And getting in and out of the back seat is an aggravating exercise thanks to a narrow door aperture and shallow opening angle.

There is plenty of breathing space up front.

The back seat will technically accommodate three adults but, despite the flat rear floor, you wouldn’t slot your worst enemy into the centre position on anything other than a super-short, emergency trip. 

Cabin storage is plentiful, though, with long, wide bins in the front doors capable of accepting large bottles, a broad centre floor tray with a flip-open lower level, an angled phone shelf (the left side providing wireless charging) a small-ish glove box and a multi-stage sliding unit in the tunnel console incorporating two generous cupholders. 

The rear door bins are also a good size and there are small map pockets on the front seat backs. But there’s no fold-down centre armrest which rules out dedicated rear cupholders.

The EX30 features a flat rear floor.

To offset that somewhat there’s a slide-out drawer, complete with moose and pine forest graphics down the side, under the rear of the front console/centre armrest as well as a small oddments space near the centre-mounted window controls.

Connectivity and power runs to a pair of USB-C jacks in the front, another two in the rear as well as a 12-volt outlet in the boot.

Speaking of which, boot volume is 318 litres (VDA) which is passable for a car this size, expanding to 904 litres with the 60/40 split-folding rear seat lowered.

The boot floor is a two-level set-up providing space underneath for charging cables or maybe wet and/or grubby things if you’ve been to the beach or on an outdoor adventure. There’s also a small but handy ‘frunk’ under the bonnet.

There are four tie-down hooks for securing loose loads in the boot but don’t bother looking for a spare tyre. Your only option is an inflator/repair kit. 

If you’re keen on towing, the rear-wheel drive EX30 single motor is rated for a 1400kg braked trailer (750kg unbraked), the all-wheel-drive twin-motor stepping the braked figure up to 1600kg. 

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.

And, yes, the Twin Motor Performance version adds a motor to the front axle for combined outputs of 315kW/543Nm going to all four wheels. Juice is provided by a 400V 69kWh lithium-ion battery.

To give those numbers some context the most powerful version of the 2WD Hyundai Ioniq 5 produces 168kW/350Nm, the Megane E-Tech delivers 160kW/300Nm, the Kia Niro’s at 150kW/395Nm and the Mini Cooper SE Electric sits at 135kW/270Nm. The AWD Ioniq 5 up the ante to 239kW/605Nm and the Model Y AWD is rated at 413kW/660Nm. So, this little Volvo stacks up well when it comes to powertrain specs. 

Volvo says single-motor EX30s have an estimated (WLTP) range of up to 480km with the gruntier twin motor sitting at 460km.

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.

The EX30’s 11kW on-board AC charger can top-up a depleted battery to full capacity in approximately seven hours when connected to three-phase power.

Single-motor EX30s have an estimated (WLTP) range of up to 480km.

Official energy consumption for the EX30 Single Motor Extended Range is 17.5kWh/100km and 18.0 for the Twin Motor Performance.

On the roughly 200km launch drive program taking in stop-start CBD traffic, twisting B-road sections and some freeway running we saw dash indicated figures of 17.0kWh/100km for the single motor and 18.3 for the dual motor.

Not bad for a car with this much performance potential.

EX30 charging port pictured.

Confirming safety as a Volvo strength is a bit like introducing Rafael Nadal as a fairly handy tennis player. And the EX30 maintains the Swedish brand’s commitment to ensuring its cars' occupants stand the best possible chance of getting to their destination safely. 

Active (crash-avoidance) tech is comprehensive, including lane-keeping aid, ‘Oncoming Lane Mitigation’, ‘Run-off road Mitigation’, ‘BLIS’ (Blind Spot Monitoring System) with steer assist, AEB (with vehicle, intersection, right/left turn, large animal, cyclist and pedestrian detection), collision avoidance and mitigation by braking and steering, oncoming mitigation by braking, pedestrian, cyclist and scooter steering avoidance, rear collision warning and mitigation, rear cross-traffic alert with auto brake (rear AEB), front cross-traffic with auto brake and road sign recognition.

There’s also ‘Intelligent speed assist’, adaptive cruise control, ‘Park Pilot Assist’, lane change assist, active high-beam, ‘Distance to Truck Assist’, a Park Assist camera, a rear view and door opening alert and a new driver alert system (checking eye and face movements around 13 times per second and monitoring ‘hands-on’ the steering wheel). Phew…

The EX30 is yet to be tested by ANCAP. (Image: James Cleary)

But if, despite all that, a crash is unavoidable there are dual-stage front airbags for the driver and front passenger, front side airbags, full-length side curtain bags, a driver’s knee airbag and a centre airbag (deployed from the inner side of the driver's seat) to help reduce head and thorax injuries in the event of a side impact.

Then, there’s a ‘Whiplash injury protection system’ (WIPS), a reversing camera, 360-degree camera view (with 3D view), tyre pressure monitoring and a ‘Volvo On Call’ back to base emergency contact function.

There are three top tether points for baby capsules/child seat and ISOFIX anchors on the outer rear seat positions. 

And Volvo says it has also focused on battery integrity in the design of the chassis and safety cage, fine-tuning its approach with various forms of high-strength steel.

Despite the EX30 not being ANCAP tested yet, it's hard to think of any brand doing a better job when it comes to safety.