Volvo EX30 Review - The Not-So-Big, Big Deal

The first thing to say is that although smaller in comparison to many crossovers and SUVs, this is still a substantial car, sitting high on the road and having plenty of presence. The design is largely understated with the odd hint of Volvo character, such as some neat front-end LED lights and a distinctive squared-off Volvo tail. If you like modern Volvo design then you will find the EX30 an attractive proposition, but to the casual observer, it probably looks very similar to other cars in its class. 

18 to 20-inch alloys are available and if you want to stand out in the crowd Volvo offers some different colour options, such as Cloud Blue and Moss Yellow as an alternative to the normal greys and blacks. It is worth looking at the online configurator to check out different colour options as they really can transform the look of the body and give the EX30 a more distinctive edge.   

Climb inside of the EX30 and the car retains the type of quality and style that you might expect from a Volvo with a much higher price tag. Almost everything has a premium feel, including some of the most comfortable front seats that you will ever sit on. Lots of recycled material is used in the manufacturing process for interior trim, but it all looks and feels very good. 

One thing you will also notice about the interior is the lack of buttons and knobs. Volvo has gone very minimalist when it comes to controls, meaning almost everything has to be done through the 12.3-inch touchscreen.  The screen itself is easy enough to use, however, do you want to click through three or four menus just to adjust a door mirror or turn up your music? 

Something else that you will also find missing is the driver's display, with no head-up display to replace it. Everything is on the large screen to your left including speed, range information, maps etc.. This, it has to be said, does take some getting used to and despite the Volvo engineers stressing it does not cause any safety concerns, intuitively it does not feel quite right. 

Elsewhere in the cabin, there is no lack of storage and USB-C plug points and there are again some nice practical design touches. To the rear, the passenger space is a little disappointing. While headroom is fine, legroom is limited for taller adults, meaning longer journeys would be uncomfortable. The boot size is an adequate 400 litres plus some added space under the bonnet.    

So while the quality and feel of the interior of the EX30 are first class, you can’t help thinking that in its quest to make the car’s technology stand out, Volvo has gone a little too far at the cost of practicality. 

There are three options when it comes to the performance and range of the EX30. The base version comes with a 49kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery, which is less expensive and said to be more robust than other batteries. The trade-off is in energy, so the car with this battery has a more limited range of 344km.

Then there is a single motor extended range model with a 69kWh conventional lithium-ion battery. This offers 474km in range according to Volvo. The third option is a dual motor, all-wheel drive, version, also with a 69kWh battery and a 450km range. 

This last version offers the type of sports car-like acceleration that some EVs are renowned for, producing a slightly mad 428hp and clocking 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds. This performance comes with a much heftier price tag than the other models. These are also more than adequate on power and acceleration, offering 272hp and 0-100km/h in around 5.5 seconds, meaning there is plenty of power for overtaking and you certainly won’t be left at the lights. 

Charging is a little better than average, with the 49kWh being 1-100% in six hours at home and 0-80% in 26 minutes at a DC fast charger. Corresponding figures for the 69kWh battery are 8 hours and the same 26 minutes for DC. 

As with any new model, there could be some teething problems with the EX30, however, early reports from the market have not raised any real concerns. In consumer reliability ratings Volvo tends to come out just above average and evidence suggests that it is the larger Volvo vehicles that develop the most issues. 

At this stage, it can be reasonably anticipated that the EX30 should offer a reliable and economical long-term package. 

With a low entry price point, the EX30 looks like an attractive proposition for buyers on a budget and the running costs of the vehicle fall into line with this. Dependent on charging, it offers a low cost in terms of cents per km, with very significant annual savings over petrol or diesel alternatives. It should also be fairly light when it comes to maintenance costs and the EX30 comes with a 3-year, 100,000km warranty and an 8-year battery warranty. 

It should also be said that Volvo has a reputation for longevity, and for this reason, they tend to do well when it comes to retaining value. 

When you drive the EX30 it does feel agile and engaging especially in urban areas, where its size and excellent visibility also give it an edge over larger models. It also cruises well on motorways, feeling very quiet and refined. However, like many EVs, it is not the type of drive that will get the pulse racing on an open country road. 

The steering is very light to the touch but the system's responsiveness is well-balanced, meaning that unless you are pushing the performance to the limit, it feels stable and well-grounded. The ride is also generally very good, although it is worth pointing out that the 20-inch alloy option can get a bit bumpy. 

Although the Volvo image may be changing the brand’s tradition of safety innovation is not and the EX30 comes with a wide range of driver assistance systems as standard. These include Front Cross Traffic alerts, Door opening alerts, Pilot Assist, Lane Departure Warnings, Intelligent Speed Assist, Collision avoidance and mitigation, Rear Cross Traffic Alerts with auto brake and more. In short, if there is a perfected system that can help you avoid any kind of accident then the chances are it is on this car. 

Concerning occupant protection, as yet the EX30 has not been Euro NCAP tested. However, as every other new Volvo currently for sale has a maximum 5-star safety rating you can be pretty confident that the EX30 will be the same. 

There is indeed lots of good to say about the Volvo EX30 and the not-so-big car, is quite a big deal. First of all, it is well-priced for what you get. It feels like you are getting a premium quality car for a mid-range price, making it very good value. It has a luxurious interior, lots of good tech and is top of the class when it comes to safety features. It also sports that prestigious Volvo badge. 

However, there are some issues with the design, which some drivers may take in their stride, whereas others may see them as deal breakers. Firstly, the lack of a driver display, means driving requires a major shift of mindset that many will not be prepared to make. Secondly, the lack of button and dial controls will be a serious issue for many. True the touch screen will, eventually, let you control everything, but the lack of any tactile controls, purely for the sake of minimalist design makes the car less practical. The compact nature of the rear seats will also be an issue for many buyers.