Volvo EX30 review

Driving position

Getting comfortable in the Volvo EX30 is an easy affair – there’s plenty of adjustment in the front seats and, thanks to its pretty open design, it doesn’t feel cramped.

The dashboard display is simplistic and clean, but in Tesla fashion, there’s no traditional instrument cluster which means speed and other driving information is displayed on the portrait-oriented infotainment screen.

Frameless interior and exterior rear-view mirrors remind you that you’re in a premium crossover, and there are plenty of driver aids like blind spot monitoring to negate the C-pillar blind spot, which is noticeable but not overly intrusive.

Tech and features

Although most of the car's controls are found on the touchscreen, it’s a really responsive system that uses a familiar-looking Google-based interface, so anyone with an Android device (or frankly anybody who can use a smartphone) should have no problem navigating it.

Volvo says Android Auto isn’t planned for the EX30 because its Android-based system means users can sign in and access Google Maps and download apps from the Play Store, plus there’s a text message app that works with Android and iOS.

Apple CarPlay arrived with a software update, so if you’ve got an EX30 that might now be able to access CarPlay, consider installing the update for free over-the-air.

It’s worth mentioning the design of the key in the tech section, because it lacks any buttons. Instead, the car is entirely keyless and you’ll need to rely on a button on the boot (or on the central display) to open the powered boot lid.

The EX30 also comes with credit card-like keys – again, like Tesla – which can be tapped on the B-pillar to unlock the car. Like any modern EV, there’s also a Volvo EX30 app for controlling basic functions such as locking and unlocking.

Electric motors and power

Performance is the Volvo EX30’s strong point – if you enjoy driving, then it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

To start, the standard model is rear-wheel-drive, which helps give it a more dynamic and engaging response. The more powerful model comes with four-wheel drive for added grip.

Then there’s the sheer amount of power you get in any EX30 – Single Motor editions have 272hp and can do 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds (or 5.3 seconds for the Extended Range cars).

The Twin Motor Performance uses 428hp to get to 62mph in 3.6 seconds (0.1s away from a Model Y Performance).

Handling and ride comfort

Throttle response is instant in the EX30, which is great for performance, but if you’re trying to drive more sedately, it can be hard to regulate which can make the ride feel quite jerky.

The same is true of the one-pedal drive mode – in stop-start traffic, other EVs can be smoother.

We think the Volvo EX30 would benefit from selectable drive modes like Eco and Sport, which is fairly typical of other cars in its class.

Thankfully, the ride quality is good on bumpy roads, absorbing both high-frequency bumps and larger impacts well.

Steering is light, and the brakes offer a progressive and predictable experience.

It would be unfair to say the EX30 is a jack of all trades and a master of none, because it performs consistently well in all areas of driving, be it around town or on a stretch of open road.

Boot space

The boot is not the largest in its cabin, at 318 litres, but it’s a useable space with a wide opening and an adjustable height false floor.

The underfloor storage is sufficient for the charging cables and a couple of empty shopping bags, but with the floor in its lowermost position, there’s a bit of a lip to lift things over – again, not a problem that’s unique to the EX30.

Like the Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona Electric, the Volvo EX30 also has a small storage area under the bonnet, too.

Rear seats

This is about as compact as crossovers get, and consequentially, rear-seat space is on the tighter side. Still, two adults can fit side-by-side comfortably – three at a push – but taller passengers may complain about legroom.

The front seats offer much more space and are better suited to adults on longer trips.

Storage solutions

Volvo pushed the boat out with the storage solutions in the EX30, because besides the usual array of door bins and cubbies, you also get a funky glovebox in the centre of the dash, under the touchscreen.

It’s a pretty standard size when you factor in that conventional gloveboxes often house the fuses.

The armrest doesn’t lift to reveal storage, but there is a sliding console that doubles as cupholders, as well as a removable storage bin underneath which can be accessed by front and rear passengers.

Where you’d expect to find a gearstick in a manual car, the EX30 has a couple of phone trays (with wireless charging for one), USB-C ports and additional covered storage for loose odds and ends.

Like the Volkswagen ID.3, there are only two window switches and a button to toggle between front and rear. They’re mounted on the central armrest, similar to the Fiat 500 which has its switches around the gear stick. Still, four switches would have been nice.

Safety

Volvo is known for a couple of things, including a premium interior and a refined drive, but most people associate the brand with safety.

Euro NCAP hasn’t yet crash-tested this car, but every Volvo since 2009 has been awarded the full five stars, and we’d hope the EX30 is no different.

You get the usual modern array of driver assistance features, including an attention awareness sensor that’s likely to nag you more than your child in the back seat, but that’s quickly becoming the norm as safety regulations get ever tighter.

Pilot Assist is also a standard-fit feature, which includes adaptive cruise control and steering assistance with lane-change assist.

Range and charging

Entry-level cars have a 51kWh battery and a 209-mile range, which we have been able to achieve and even exceed in some circumstances. Like any EV, expect range to drop in the colder winter months.

If you do a lot of motorway mileage, it’s worth considering one of the cars with the bigger 69kWh battery, which unlocks a range of 280-296 miles.

Charging speeds of around 40 miles per hour are possible from the standard 11kW charging, but most homes are limited to 7kW, which equates to more like 30 miles of range added per hour.

High-spec Ultra versions, like our test car, get quicker 22kW charging for around 80 miles for each hour of charging.

Rapid charging peaks at 134kW for the smaller battery, and 153kW for the larger battery, which is more than you get in some rivals like the Kia Niro EV.

Handily, the small battery uses a Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LFP) construction, which means it’s more suited to full charges thanks to its longer lifespan.

The larger battery uses Lithium-Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt-Oxide (NMC) construction which has a higher energy density and is better suited to longer-range EVs. Manufacturers typically suggest avoiding fully charging the car unless you’re going on a long trip and instead limit it to around 80%.

Reliability

The Volvo EX30 previews a totally new direction for Volvo with its new EX-branded electric cars, and the EX30 sits on Chinese owner Geely’s electric car SEA2 platform.

What this means is that, while there’s not a lot of data about EX30 reliability so far, it shares many components with the Smart #1 and Smart #3, which we know to be dependable.

Electric cars also feature fewer moving parts than combustion engines, which should bode well for longevity.

Free over-the-air (OTA) software updates should also iron out glitches in the car’s electrical systems if they occur, which means you could be less likely to visit the garage.

Online owners' forums have highlighted some software glitches, including an unresponsive screen, but visits to the dealer have typically sorted these, and the operating system is likely to become more stable with time.

You can also hold the ‘decrease cruise control speed’ and ‘decrease volume’ buttons simultaneously to reboot the system – similar to a Tesla – to fix any minor niggles.

Insurance groups

Insurance groups for the EX30 are in the late 30s and early 40s, which is quite high compared with many key rivals.

However, numerous factors play into how much you’ll need to pay for insurance, and it might not cost as much as the groups suggest, so it’s worth getting a quote if you’ve found an EX30 on cinch you like.