Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The Volvo EX30 is a litany of good ideas wrapped in a car that didn't work. It promised more than 300 miles of range, an affordable starting price, and so much more, yet two years after its introduction, the EV was dead before I'd even driven it.Chase BierenkovenView the 6 images of this gallery on the original articleThe whiplash of driving a brand new car that's already dead aside, there are a lot of juxtapositions in the 2026 EX30. Volvo is arguably the world's most safety-conscious brand, yet its touchscreen is the most maddeningly distracting piece of hardware they've put in one of their cars. The EX30 is supposed to be a smart, efficient crossover, yet it makes 450 horsepower in top trims. The list goes on. But for every wrong the EX30 commits, I'm able to find a right.The Volvo EX30's Interior Is As Smart As It Is DumbChase BierenkovenView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementLet's address the biggest problem with the EX30: its tech. At launch, units suffered from a fair few gremlins. I'm happy to report that over-the-air updates have worked those kinks out. So, all that's left is a screen, no buttons, limited physical controls on the wheel, and, for some reason, only one pair of window switches.Chase BierenkovenThe horizontal screen doesn't work great with CarPlay, because Apple hasn't figured out how to display a map vertically. Put your hand at the 12 o'clock position, and the car will assume you've died at the wheel, pinging away until you move your arm and the sensors can see your eyes. It'll yell at you again once you change anything on the screen. "STOP,that's distracting!!" it'll scream as you adjust the climate controls. You'll have to deactivate the very driver-monitoring system intended to keep you safe to avoid drowning in a sea of distracting notifications.Chase BierenkovenView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleThis monstrous screwup aside, the EX30's interior is a fantastic place to be. It's airy thanks to a glass roof, and the center console is massive. The armrest deploys into a tray, one, or two cupholders depending on configuration. Passengers in back also have access to the lower center console storage bin, which fits tons of stuff. More than that, the EX30's phone charger and storage bin actually holds your phone down, probably because AWD versions could spin the planet backwards with all the torque they make.AdvertisementAdvertisementAnd for every set of good choices, there is a bad one (or two). Why Volvo cut two window switches to save money when Nissan can give me four in a Sentra is just beyond me, though. More than that, the glovebox doesn't have a latch. It's a button, buried two clicks deep in the touchscreen. The back seats are also pretty tight, which feels like a bit of oversight.So How's The Storage?In back, you'll get 12.4 cubic feet of space. It's not a lot. The trade-off, though, is size, and the EX30 moves far more nimbly than rivals thanks to its short wheelbase. It's also easier to park. If you do want more space, the floor comes out to lend a few extra cubes. Still, I fit two 55-liter backpacking packs in the cargo area and a dog in the back seats. It's not horrible, but definitely not great for a family of four.Volvo Nailed The EX30's EthosThe EX30 came with a few cute easter eggs and some more helpful ones.Chase BierenkovenView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleThe EX30's execution, as we've established, is more than a bit off for most buyers. I'll be the first to admit that I actually like the EV in spite of its flaws, and that's because it gets the ethos right. I like the silly little print in the front trunk plastic, even though there isn't room for more than a Snickers. I like that the top trims are built with some off-road capability and some jaw-dropping power. CrossCountry models get dual-motor all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires, 253 miles of range, and this cute topographic map motif on the front bumper.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt drives great, too. This is no sports car, but the EX30 will blow all four tires off if you floor it from a standstill. More than that, I had fun ripping down dirt fire roads, taking advantage of the grip provided by the all-terrain tires. It rides better than just about any gas-powered SUV at this price point. The visibility is phenomenal, and the seats are plenty comfy. I took the EV on a 370-mile road trip without issue.The EX30 was outdoorsy, stylish, and came in a few cool colors. Those tenets underpin most of America's best-selling SUVs and trucks right now. Volvo had attempted to sell the EX30 in a market that overwhelmingly prefers larger gas-powered SUVs at a similar price point. It's impossible to argue with the American consumer here: you can get more for the same money. This car here is $48,150. Honda, Toyota, Jeep, and so many others offer a similarly cool outdoorsy car for similar money. It's hard not to see how the EX30 died here, even though I think it might have lived on had Volvo made some improvements to the user experience.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.