Volvo EX30 2026 News

Volvo has taken a knife to prices of its small SUV line-up with $10,000 sliced off cost-of-entry for its small EX30 Single Motor Extended Plus - now $49,990, before on-road costs.Base pricing for the slightly larger EX40 has also been cut with the entry-level EX40 Single Motor Extended Ultra reduced by just over nine per cent to $69,990, before on-road costs (was $76,990, BOC).When contacted for background on the pricing changes a Volvo Car Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide, “In preparation for the introduction of the game-changing EX60 to local shores Volvo Car Australia has repositioned its 30 and 40 series all-electric vehicles.“To accommodate the arrival of the EX60 it is paramount that we alter our current game plan. “When the all-electric mid-size SUV arrives, it will change the game in the largest electric market segment in terms of range, charging speed, performance, and price,” they said.The repositioned EX30/EX40 pricing (before on-road costs) is below.Speaking at Volvo Cars’ most recent investor briefing in Stockholm, the company’s Chief Commercial Officer Erik Severinson confirmed the upcoming EX60 mid-size EV SUV will be priced at the same level as an equivalent plug-in hybrid (PHEV).So, these small SUV price reductions point to a starting price position for the EX60 at around the same $74,990, before on-road costs, level as the entry-grade XC60 Plus B5 Bright AWD.The flagship XC60 Ultra T8 Plug-in Hybrid Dark AWD sits at $101,990, BOC.The mid-size pure-electric EX60 SUV will initially be offered with a choice of two powertrains.The P6 Electric comes with a single rear motor that produces 275kW/480Nm which delivers a sharp 5.9-second 0-100km/h acceleration time.And the dual-motor P10 AWD Electric’s dual motors send 375kW/710Nm to all four wheels for a 4.6-seconds 0-100km/h sprint.Claimed WLTP range is 620km for the former and 660km for the latter, thanks to its larger 95kWh battery.Charging is near top of the class thanks to Volvo's all-new ‘SPA3’ platform's 800-volt electrics. The P6 can be topped up at up to 320kW, while the AWD P10 rampd that rate up to an impressive 370kW.

Volvo has announced a series of updates for its small EV, the EX30, with new variants and tech coming.

The small car segment, especially on the premium and luxury end of the spectrum, has been very tumultuous over the last few years with hatchback and sedan sales plummeting, while SUV sales have climbed astronomically.In order to combat this, as part of our ongoing 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year awards, we’ve combined small premium passenger cars and SUVs into this segment.It’s worth noting that each shortlisted small premium car mentioned below is inclusive of the entire line-up, though its entry price must be under $80,000 before on-road costs for this particular category.The following is a rundown of our top 10 sub-$80K small cars in alphabetical order and why they made the cut. Our top three, including the category winner, will be announced on February 6.Note Mercedes-Benz's current A-Class, CLA and GLA were ineligible as they were unavailable for review.While many brands are fleeing this segment of the car market, this German small hatch and sedan is still offered in Australia in a wide range of trim levels and variants. Beyond the normal A3 variants, there’s the sporty S3 and the fire-breathing RS3.It notably made this shortlist due to the latter which is still offered with an iconic five-cylinder engine. However, we do wish it made just a bit more noise like the older models did.Beyond this, CarsGuide reviewers praised the A3 line-up for its capable and engaging driving dynamics, as well as its luxuriously equipped and premium-presenting interior.While the A3 hatch and sedan may be newer, the Audi Q3 small SUV has been soldiering on for a couple of years now without any major updates.The current model is reaching the end of its lifecycle and is set to be replaced by a new-generation model during 2026.Despite this, CarsGuide reviewers liked how the Q3’s exterior design is ageing, even in the polarising Sportback body style, plus the on-road manners are both elegant and fun.The new-generation version of the BMW 1 Series hatchback launched locally late in 2024, offering everything from everyday commuter trims to the M135 xDrive hot hatch.CarsGuide reviewers were impressed with its driving dynamics and outright performance, though fuel efficiency took a hit as a result.Additionally we liked the new and modern front-row layout, however the exterior design, especially at the front, likely isn’t for everyone.The X1 small SUV is the most popular BMW in Australia currently and for good reason.It launched locally in new-generation guise in 2022 to popular fanfare, then the all-electric iX1 variants joined the line-up in 2023, cementing its status as a benchmark small SUV.CarsGuide reviewers praised X1/iX1’s on-road manners, as well as the modern and high-tech exterior and interior designs. However, common European quibbles like tyre roar and suspension bumps can intrude into the cabin.The X2 is a swoopy ‘coupe’ SUV counterpart to the X1 small SUV and still notably offers both petrol and electric (iX2) powertrain options.While its exterior design is polarising and not for everyone, CarsGuide reviewers appreciated how polished the drivetrains feel from behind the wheel. The X2/iX2 is also affordable when compared to premium rivals from the likes of Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.The few dislikes were centred around the X2 M35i xDrive’s firm ride due to its large (and thankfully optional) 21-inch alloy wheels, as well as the slight reduction in boot capacity over the X1/iX1.This spicy Spanish small crossover SUV is the clear front-runner for Cupra in Australia. Arriving in 2022, the Formentor is offered in a range of variants from warm to hot, plus even a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) offering.CarsGuide reviewers appreciated the lifted hatchback looks and the smile-inducing driving dynamics, however some found the multimedia system to be a little finicky and the ride a little too far on the firm side.An oft-forgotten entrant in the small SUV segment, this quirky French electric SUV impresses with its sleek design, maximised interior space and reactive driving feel.There is currently only one trim level of the Megane E-Tech offered in Australia, the Techno EV60, and it’s limited by its 7.4kW maximum AC charging rate, plus the lack of features like connected services that are available overseas.A huge step away from the iconic Fortwo of the early ‘00s and ‘10s, the Smart #3 is the brand’s largest car in Australia to date.With unique looks and a premium cabin feel, the #3 impresses though the driver-assist features can be a little overbearing and the panoramic glass sunroof has no sunshade.More sore points are the average warranty coverage of five years or 150,000km, as well as the hefty servicing costs for an electric vehicle.While a number of these shortlisted vehicles are high-tech or electrified offerings, the Subaru WRX stands out as a purist sports car.Still featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine and a manual transmission in certain trim levels, the WRX is offered in sedan and wagon body styles.CarsGuide reviewers praised the WRX’s dynamism, practicality and even value when compared to rivals with similar amounts of power. However, the WRX Sportswagon only comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and doesn’t look as sporty as the standard WRX sedan.This vibrant and quirky Volvo electric SUV stands out on the road thanks to its stunning exterior design with boxy proportions.The interior also stands out, but sometimes not in the best of ways. CarsGuide reviewers found too many of the key features are tucked into menus on the central touchscreen, plus the lack of a proper instrument cluster was grating.

Volvo has issued a dire recall notice for one of its popular electric SUVs, but there is no fix in sight.The brand has put a notice out for thousands of its EX30 compact SUV due to a high-voltage battery defect, which could cause a vehicle fire.The recall affects 2815 units of the 2024 model year.According to the recall notice issued via the Federal Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development Communications, Sport and the Arts, a manufacturing issue can cause the cell modules installed in the battery to overheat at high charge levels, which could lead to vehicle fire.Without a remedy as of yet, “battery charge level should be kept below 70 per cent,” the notice reads.This can be done through the charging setting menu on the vehicle display.“A vehicle fire could increase the risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants, other road users and bystanders, and/or damage to property,” the recall notice said.Volvo Australia said there have been no reported incidents locally.Volvo Cars has identified a potential issue with high-voltage battery cells manufactured by a particular supplier on certain model year 2024-2026 EX30 Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance cars," a spokesperson said."In rare cases, the battery can overheat when charged to a high level, which could in a worst-case scenario lead to a fire starting in the battery. Safety is a top priority for Volvo Cars, and while the number of reported incidents is very small – representing around 0.02% of the cars we have identified as potentially affected – and we have no reports of related personal injuries, we are treating it very seriously. "We plan to roll out a recall as soon as possible to fix the cars in question. In the meantime, we are contacting all affected owners to ask them to limit their cars’ maximum charge level to 70%. We will contact them again as soon as a fix is available. Other models are not affected by this notice, and not all variants of EX30 are affected."Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by Volvo requesting to schedule an appointment to have the repair work carried out free of charge.The EX30 has proved a solid seller in the compact SUV space in Australia, following its launch in 2024, starting from $59,990 (before on-road costs).Volvo launched a cross country version of the EX30 back in September 2025.