Volvo's cool-vibed EX30 takes its brand into a completely new, more affordable EV segment. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

The EX30 is a different kind of Volvo, a small posh EV for a new era and a model that will bring enormous conquest sales for the brand. It's more affordable than you might be expecting and would perhaps make an ideal second car for upwardly mobile families embracing the electric revolution.

Background

Just about every mainstream car maker right at present seems to be trying to re-invent itself as an all-electric brand. In most cases, particularly with the premium makers, that seems to involve bringing us futuristic-looking EVs priced far out of the reach of most ordinary customers. Volvo wants to be different. And proof of that comes with this car, the EX30. This Chinese-owned Swedish brand can only survive by attracting new breed of younger customers and the EX30 is its most important car yet in reaching them. The brand says this model's job is to 'bring premium full-electric mobility to a much broader audience' and three-quarters of the people who choose it will never have considered a Volvo before. It's pitched and priced well below the company's existing EX40 and EC40 Volvo electric models that compete with the base EVs from other premium brands like Audi, BMW and Mercedes. And sized interestingly, somewhere between an EV supermini and an EV family hatch. That means lower pricing than you might expect, which is crucial if Volvo is to get anywhere near its rather over-ambitious target of achieving 50% EV sales across its model mix by 2025. Sounds interesting. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

You might feel as if Volvo has got its priorities a bit mixed up here - but pleasantly so. The fastest Twin Motor version of this EX30 is the quickest-accelerating Volvo ever built and even the Single Motor Extended Range variant we tried (the derivative almost all customers will choose) has a very useful 272hp and takes just 5.3s to dispatch the 0-62mph sprint. That's vastly more power than you'd get with comparable models in this segment; which is a rather irrelevant selling point given that most customers will see EV driving range as a considerably greater priority than neck-snapping performance. A pity then, that the EX30 doesn't fare anything like as well in that regard. The Single Motor Extended Range version is the most frugal EX30 model you could choose, with a best-possible EV range figure of 296 miles - some way short of the 347 mile figure you'd get in, say, a rival 77kWh Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S. If your budget will only stretch to the smaller-battery 51kWh Single Motor version of this car, your range capability will be restricted to a rather feeble best of 209 miles. Under the skin lies the most compact version of the Geely Group's 'SEA' 'Scalable Experience Architecture' platform, engineered here to produce a well-judged standard of ride. Body roll's well resisted too, which might have made for an engaging confection were it not for the rather lifeless steering. Which is a pity because the top Twin Motor performance flagship variant we mentioned earlier (also offered in rugged-ised 'Cross Country' form) might have offered the basis for a really exciting EV hot hatch. This model makes up to 280 miles between charges and adds an extra motor on the front axle to create all-wheel drive and boost total output to a stonking 428hp; enough to storm a Twin Motor EX30 to 62mph in just 3.6s. Normally, this is the point where we'd be talking of the need to engage a 'Sport' mode to get anywhere near the quoted performance figures, but Volvo doesn't seem to believe in a proliferation of driving settings for its EVs. There aren't any provided drive modes, nor are there the steering wheel paddleshifters to control brake regeneration that some other competitors offer. Just a 'One Pedal Drive' setting activated via the centre screen - and even that doesn't slow you particularly fiercely.

Design and Build

This is Volvo's smallest-ever EV - and perhaps also its most charismatic. Design chief T.Jon Mayer says the front end was inspired by Star Wars storm trooper sci-fi helmet design. There's certainly a family resemblance to the brand's larger EX90 SUV, with a closed-off grille and the marque's usual 'Thor's Hammer' headlights. Big wheel sizes vary between 18 and 20-inches. And there are some unusual available colours, including a 'Moss Yellow' apparently inspired by lichen that grows on rocks on the West coast of Sweden. The twin-level rear lamp clusters are interesting too. And short overhangs emphasise the compact 4,233mm length. The interior really is a clean sheet design, like nothing we've ever previously seen from a Volvo. Though you may detect shades of Tesla in the absence of an instrument binnacle and the way that everything - including all the drive gauges - has been located on a centrally-positioned 12.3-inch vertically-mounted Google-based touchscreen. Also unusual is the lack of door-mounted speakers - a sound bar runs across the full width of the dashboard instead. Cupholders slide out of a bulky-looking central armrest; the glovebox and the electric window switches are centrally placed; the central tunnel incorporates a removable storage box; and there's a tray accessible to rear seat passengers. There's only room for a couple of them, but the longer wheelbase made possible by the EV-specific SEA platform helps with leg room. The boot capacity is rated at 318-litres, rising to 622-litres with the rear bench flattened.

Market and Model

Prices start from just under £33,000, including three years of free servicing. But it's more likely that you'll be acquiring your EX30 with some kind of subscription package. Let's take a look at the EX30 line-up in detail. There's a choice of three trim levels - base 'Core', mid-range 'Plus' and plusher 'Ultra'. And there are two battery sizes - 51kWh and the larger 'Extended Range' 69kWh battery we tried, also used for a top 'Cross Country' variant. Most will ignore the smaller battery, which is really just there to give this Volvo an affordable-looking entry-level price. Virtually the whole EX30 line-up from launch was based around the larger 'Extended Range' battery - and that pushes the starting price up towards £37,000 and above - which is what you might have been expecting to pay in the first place for a premium-badged small EV hatch of this sort. Once you've got your head around this sort of spend, you might be prepared to consider the option with the 'Extended Range' battery of paying even more for the brand's Twin Motor drivetrain - which adds a further £2,500 to the price. All 'Plus'-spec models get a dual-tone roof, automatic LED headlights with Active High Beam, rain-sensing wipers, all-round parking sensors and a reversing camera, power-folding heated door mirrors, adaptive cruise control, a speed limiter, a 'One-Pedal' drive system and an ani-theft alarm. On the EV side, Volvo includes an 11kW on-board charger (so you can power up from a three-phase supply), a 32 amp Type 2 cable and a Mode 3 charge cable and a heat pump to maintain driving range in cold weather (by drawing heat from the ambient air to drive the climate system). In addition, you of course get an app, the 'Volvo Cars Services' app, via which you can control charging times, activate the climate system, request emergency help, remotely unlock or lock the car and even keep a driving journal. Inside with 'Plus'-spec, there's a 12.3-inch Centre Console Portrait Touch Screen, heat for the front seats and steering wheel, auto-dimming mirrors, a choice of five interior colour themes and a 1,040-watt output Harmon Kardon Premium Sound system using a Dashboard Soundbar with seven speakers and offering Quantum Logic and Dirac Unison tech. The front seats have fixed lumbar support and the Google Automotive Services-enabled central screen has wireless 'Apple CarPlay', navigation with Google Maps, voice recognition with Google Assistant, various enabled entertainment apps and unlimited mobile data for four years.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you the rather unremarkable EV driving range figures in our 'Driving' section - 209 miles for the standard 51kWh Single Motor version, 296 miles for the 69kWh Single Motor Extended Range variant and 280 miles for the 69kWh Twin Motor Performance derivative. At least the charging speed on offer is competitive; well it is with the 69kWh Extended Range battery pack anyway, which can charge at up to 153kWh; the base 51kWh battery only charges at up to 134kW. Both models will deliver a 10-80% DC public rapid change in about half an hour (26 minutes for the bigger faster-replenishing pack). To give you some class perspective, that's nearly 15 minutes quicker than a rival Hyundai Kona Electric. If you're able to engage in three-phase charging, you'll be please to learn that the 11kW on-board charger that some Stellantis Group EVs will charge you more for is standard; and a 22kW on-board charger is included with the priciest 'Ultra' trim. As for replenishing the battery from home, well a full AC home charge of the 69kWh battery from a 7.4kW wallbox using a 32 amp single phase supply needs 11 hours - or 8 hours using a three phase 16 amp supply. It's 9 hours on single phase for the 51kWh battery - or 6 hours with 16 amp three phase. As usual, you can set charging times via a provided app; or by using a charging screen in the car. Volvo claims that all versions of this car have been produced with a reduced CO2 footprint - the company says this is below 30 tonnes over 124,000 miles of driving, covering both operation and production. This has been achieved in part through a body that contains 25% recycled aluminium, 17% recycled steel and 17% recycled plastic.

Summary

There's never been a Volvo quite like the EX30 - and not only because it's the brand's first really compact EV. Think of this car less as a Volvo and a more as simply another version of the two other Geely brand-owned models it shares its SEA platform with (the smart#1 and the Zeekr X) and the thinking behind this design is easier to understand. For sure, it'll take Volvo into a completely new place in terms of customer perception. It's pleasing that the company has priced the car so competitively to reflect that. Would you really rather have a plush EV supermini rather than one of these? We're guessing not. Particularly as Volvo has styled the car inside and out with so much character. The Swedish marque's name translated from the Latin means 'I roll'. In the case of the EX30, you might be tempted to think 'it rocks' too.

Body Glass

Dark tinted windows - rear side windows and rear screen

Rain sensor with automatic windscreen wiper activation

Rear wiper

Variable intermittent wiper

Brakes

Post-impact Braking

Hill start assist

Collision avoidance and mitigation by braking and steering

Hill descent control

Carpets/Rugs

Floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

Comfort chassis

Communication

Wireless apple carplay

Bluetooth handsfree system

Wireless/Inductive Mobile Phone Charging

Android auto wireless

Driver Aids

Collision avoidance at intersection

Forward collision warning

360 Degree camera with virtual 3D view

Cross traffic alert with brake support (Front and Rear)

Driver understanding system

Driver alert control with lane keeping aid

Park pilot assist

Intelligent speed assist

Speed limiter

3 x Front and 2 x rear radars plus front vision camera

Power assisted steering

Adaptive cruise control

Front and rear park assist

Driver Convenience

Power operated tailgate

Driver Information

Google automotive services - Enabled entertainment apps, navigation with google maps, voice recognition with google assistant

Volvo cars services with app

Emergency call service

Blind spot information system with steer assist (BLIS)

12.3" centre console portrait touch screen

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming interior and driver's door mirror

Auto folding heated frameless power door mirrors

Entertainment

Harman Kardon Premium 5.1 Surround Sound 1040W - (2xC type USB Front & rear Sockets,Dashboard Soundbar with 7 Speakers)

Low speed exterior sound speaker

Dirac unison

DAB Digital radio

External couple subwoofer and load compartment subwoofer

Quantum logic

Vehicle noise compensation

Exterior Body Features

Fixed panoramic glass sunroof

Dual tone roof and mirror caps

Metallic paint

Rear side wing doors

Exterior Lights

Puddle lights

Automatic LED Headlights + Active high beam incorporating daytime running lights

LED 3rd brake light

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

2 zone electronic climate control with air purifier PM2.5

Heat pump (Enhanced cabin heating and cooling efficiency with optimal vehicle range)

Interior Features

Vehicle 2 load capability

Front cupholders and storage

One pedal drive

Front load compartment (19 litres)

Height/reach adjustable steering column

Flexible load floor

Central glovebox and storage

Multifunction steering wheel

12V socket in luggage compartment

Interior Lights

High level illumination (choise of 5 colour themes,central tunel,luggage,puddle,cabin,reading and front door panel pocket lights,instrument panel )

Packs

Power seat pack - EX30

Climate pack - EX30

Safety

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Driver and passenger airbags

First aid kit

Warning triangle

3 point rear seatbelts

Seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters (Front and Outer Rear Seats)

Inner driver seat side airbag

SIPS (Side Impact Protection System)

WHIPS whiplash protection system - front

Child locks on rear doors

Road sign information display

Run off Road Mitigation

Door opening alert

IC (Inflatable Curtains) - Full Length

Rear collision warning and mitigation (RCWM)

Passenger airbag cut-off switch

Seats

Single front passenger seat

3 seat bench in 2nd row

ISOFIX attachment on outer rear seats

Versatile split folding rear seat - 60/40

Removable rear headrests

Front head restraints

Fixed lumbar support

Security

2 x NFC Access cards

Digital key plus with keytag

Remote door locking and unlocking

Locking wheel nuts

Anti-theft alarm including immobiliser/volume sensor + level sensor

Vehicle Charging

3-Phase On Board Charger - 22kW

Recharging port located in nearside rear wing

5m 3 phase 32 amp type 2 / mode 3 charge cable

Plug and charge

Wheels - Spare

Tyre sealant kit and compressor

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 2340

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.4

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 1380

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 3.8

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 660

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 7.6

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): 28

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: 153

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: 10-80

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 69

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 474

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL: 476

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH: 462

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 17

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 17

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 17.5

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 3.7

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 3.6

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 3.7

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 294.5

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH: 287.1

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL: 295.8

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: N

Charging Port Location: Left Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: 65

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 153

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 0

Standard Euro Emissions: N

Noise Level dB(A): N

CO: N

HC: N

NOx: N

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

CC: 1

Cylinders: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Number of Valves: N

Camshaft: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

Engine Layout: N

Compression Ratio: N

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Engine Code: N

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

EC Urban (mpg): N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Combined (mpg): N

General

Coin Series: Ultra

Coin Description: 200kW Single Motor Extended Range

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 38E

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 88

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 85

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 79

NCAP Safety Assist %: 80

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 272

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 5.3

Top Speed: 112

Engine Power - BHP: 272

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 200

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 253

Engine Torque - NM: 343

Engine Torque - RPM: N

Engine Torque - MKG: 35

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 245/40 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 245/40 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: 5 SPOKE

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4233

Width: 1940

Wheelbase: 2650

Width (including mirrors): 2032

Height: 1555

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1775

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2240

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1600

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 465

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 318

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 75

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1000

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.7

Interior Features

Tailored wool blend upholstery

Pixel Knit and Nordico upholstery

Wool Blend and Nordico upholstery

Front seat backrest map and mobile phone pocket

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Onyx black

Metallic - Vapour grey

Metallic - Crystal white

Metallic - Sand dune

Metallic - Cloud blue

Trim - Cloth

Tailored Wool Blend - Mist + Charcoal Headlining + Flax Deco Panel + Transparent Air Vent Trim

Textile and Nordico - Indigo + Charcoal Headlining + Denim Deco Panel + Blue Air Vent Trim

Wool Blend and Nordico - Pine + Charcoal Headlining + Flax Deco Panel + Transparent Air Vent Trim

Pixel Knit and Nordico - Breeze + Charcoal Headlining + Particle Deco Panel + Blue Air Vent Trim

Wheels - Alloy

20" 5 Y spoke diamond cut black alloy wheels with summer tyres