We like
Wonderfully progressive performance, thoughtful cabin amenity and ergonomics, excellent body control, hushed ride, decent headlights, positive braking action, value compared with class rivals

Room for improvement
Average energy consumption levels, touchscreen controls not always intuitive, rear window switch gear a hassle, steering can feel light at higher speeds, ride a touch taut on poorly kept roads

Overview

VOLVO’S newly introduced EX30 Small segment SUV is an interesting proposition for Australian buyers. It bears all the hallmarks of a real Volvo, being solid, safe and sensible, while also offering an all-electric driving experience that’s right at home on bustling city streets – and at a reasonable price.

 

Available from $59,990 plus on-road costs in Single Motor Extended Plus format and moving through Single Motor Extended Ultra (from $64,990) and Twin Performance Ultra (from $69,990) guises, the Chinese-built EX30 is a smart alternative to the likes of the Kia Niro Electric (from $66,590) and Mini Countryman E (from $64,990).

 

According to Volvo, the EX30 boasts the smallest carbon footprint of any Volvo produced to date and utilises a 400-volt lithium-ion battery pack to provide up to 69kWh of storage, and a hearty 200kW/343Nm output in Single Motor form (as tested).

 

With a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.5 seconds, the “more efficient” rear-wheel drive EX30 option is no slouch. It can offer as much as 480km (WLTP) driving range and can be recharged from 10-80 per cent in around 30 minutes on a 153kW DC charger.

 

The tiny Viking is well equipped, too. The ‘Scandi’ interior features a single 12.3-inch touchscreen offering access to most of the vehicle’s controls, the décor a mix of minimalist lines and simple materials, most of which are made from recycled materials.

 

Externally, the EX30 is offered in just five paint colours, including Cloud Blue, Crystal White, Onyx Black, Moss Yellow (tested), and Vapour Grey. All are faced with Volvo’s Thor’s Hammer LED headlight treatment.

 

Other equipment highlights include 19-inch alloy wheels, a two-tone roof, electric tailgate, auto dimming mirrors, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wireless device charging, dual-zone climate control, and harman/kardon premium sound.

 

Mid- and high-tier grades add 20-inch wheels, a fixed glass roof, rear privacy glass, heated and powered front seats, a heated steering wheel, 360-degree camera tech, and a semi-autonomous parking system.

 

Cargo capacity runs to 318 litres in the rear and 71 litres up front. There is no spare wheel.

 

On the safety front we find adaptive cruise control, AEB with cyclist and pedestrian detection, blind spot detection, cross-traffic alert, lane change and keep assist, traffic sign recognition, two ISOFIX child seat anchors, and much more.

 

The EX30 is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, with an eight-year/160,000km warranty for the high voltage battery. There is also eight years of roadside assistance included, and five years of free servicing. Service intervals are set at 24 months or 30,000km (whichever comes first).

 

Driving Impressions

 

Our city-centric week with the EX30 showed a car that is better suited to well-surfaced roads. Its combination of heft (1810kg) and large-diameter wheels provides a taut yet enjoyable experience at the ‘wheel, feeling both nimble and involved. On poorer surfaces, however, it can be a little choppy.

 

The Geely SEA platform that underpins the EX30 (and Volvo C40) is an otherwise decent building block. It offers a supportive and quiet chassis tune – and surprisingly quick performance – as well as sensible cabin packaging with seating for five and generous boot space.

 

Torque delivery is progressive and sufficient for winning the traffic light Olympics in most instances. The ability to adapt the vehicle’s reflexes is a win for those with an eye for economy but requires dextrous use of the central screen to achieve.

 

Regeneration and single-pedal drive modes are also found here, though in our experience you tend to find the setting that works best for you and leave it at that.

 

If we’re to really nit-pick, we think the EX30 could do with a little more involvement from the steering. Although the system is adaptable for weight, it’s never quite as engaging as, say, the Mini Countryman. It also tends to get a little light at higher speeds, a good thing then we have a 110km/h limit here…

 

The absence of a driver’s instrument panel is a little odd at first, the speedometer displayed on the central screen’s top corner instead. We found the media screen crisp and reasonably straightforward, but found some functions buried deep within the matrix and difficult to navigate on the hop.

 

Like the related Polestar range, the Volvo EX30 requires mirror adjustment via the central touchscreen, which is a touch annoying in our books. Equally annoying is the centrally set power window switches that require an additional step to activate the rear glass. It’s a novelty that gets old fast.

 

We also found it a little peculiar that Volvo chose not to offer rear seat ventilation outlets in the EX30. As a family car, it feels like something of an oversight, and on models with the glass sunroof might just be a deal-breaker come summer.

 

That point aside, we found the climate control system to be capable and efficient. Driving with and without the system activated did little to change the EX30’s energy use, which averaged out at a reasonable 17.2kWh during our loan – or enough to eke out 400km range.

 

It might sound like we’re a little down on certain aspects of the EX30, but the truth is we really enjoyed our time in the car. As an urban dweller, the EX30 makes a lot of sense and is very enjoyable to live with. Get used to the media screen and it eventually fades into the background, the vehicle’s strongpoints winning out – and bringing a smile in regular use.

 

With a personality that’s very Volvo, and a price point we think offers exceptional value, the EX30 is a ‘yes’ from us.