Volvo’s next electric car is a small SUV that shares its parts with the new Smart #1
- Official range of up to 298 miles in Extended Range spec
- EX30 to sit below XC40 Recharge in lineup
- Order books open now with deliveries expected in early 2024
The Volvo EX30 has just been unveiled as the brand’s next pint-sized electric SUV, and a major step towards its goal of half its lineup being electric by the end of 2025. It will be the brand’s entry-level electric model, and one of the most compact EVs in the ‘premium’ segment, sitting below the Volvo XC40 Recharge.
In terms of size, the EX30 is around 4.23 metres long – that makes it almost 30cm shorter than an Audi Q4 e-tron and nearly 25cm shorter than the Mercedes EQA – so its closest SUV rival could well be the upcoming electric version of the MINI Countryman which is still set to be larger than the EX30.
The EX30 shares Volvo’s angular and boxy design language, incorporating cues such as the brand’s ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlight signature. It shares the same angular rear styling and lighting signature of other recent electric Volvo SUVs, including the upcoming EX90. The EX30 also gets very short overhangs, a near-vertical tailgate and upright stance, while prominent wheel arches help give it a wide, chunky look.
As parent company Geely also produces the Smart #1 electric SUV, the EX30 shares this car’s platform, known as the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA). The EX30 will be available with three different powertrain specifications: an entry level single-motor rear-wheel drive version, a higher-performance, longer-range rear-wheel drive variant and a dual-motor four-wheel drive range-topper.
Volvo EX30 interior design
Volvo is becoming increasingly known for its beautiful interiors, and the brand says the EX30’s cabin ‘embraces sustainable thinking’. It’s also designed with plenty of clever storage features to ‘deliver a big-car experience with less.’ An example of this is the relocation of the glove box to the centre of the dash, making it easier for the driver and front passenger to get to.There’s also a sliding centre console with an open lower section for quick access.
A new sound bar sits on the top of the dash, meaning the doors do away with speakers, and the window switches have been placed on the centre console – this may have been done in an effort to keep manufacturing costs down for the entry-level electric SUV, by keeping the electrical elements closer together, as has been done in cars like the Fiat 500 in the past.
The centre of the dash gets a 12.3-inch display that shows information such as speed and charge levels, plus infotainment and sat-nav functions displayed on the lower half. In an effort to reduce driver distraction, Volvo is also incorporating a ‘calm’ mode that removes unnecessary information from the screen. The EX30 will be the first Volvo to be offered with Apple CarPlay alongside built-in Google apps like Google Maps.
To offer a degree of personalisation, the interior will be offered in a variety of what Volvo calls ‘rooms’. To keep up its sustainable credentials, these use materials such as upcycled denim, woven flax, ground plastic waste and recycled PET bottles.
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Of course, the EX30 is a small car, so offers a modest 318-litre boot, which rises to 622 litres with the rear seats folded down. The boot does get a size guide to help the user to determine if large items will fit, however – that’s sure to help with flat-pack furniture from IKEA…
Volvo EX30 safety
Volvo is a brand known for its focus on safety throughout its lineup, and this won’t be any different for the EX30. The small electric SUV will get an alert system which warns occupants if cyclists or other traffic users are approaching the car as a door is about to be opened, helping to avoid accidents. It’s part of Volvo’s latest Safe Space Technology suite to help keep the brand on the top of its game in terms of safety.
Other safety features include an advanced driver alert system which comes as standard, monitoring eye and face movements around 13 times per second to make sure the driver isn’t fatigued and thus unsafe to drive. It also gets a far-side airbag on the inside of the driver’s seat to help protect from head and thorax injury in a side impact. Because it’s an electric car, the brand has also put in measures to reinforce the integrity of the battery in case of a collision – a damaged battery can cause a car to catch fire if it shorts, so it’s a measure intended to mitigate that risk.
Given Volvo’s current model numbering system, we expect the new EX30 to sit below the C40 and XC40 Recharge in the lineup. Size-wise, it will be comparable with the likes of the Hyundai Kona Electric, as well as the Smart #1, with which it will share many of its parts.
Volvo EX30 powertrains
The Volvo EX30 is available in three configurations. The entry-level model uses a single motor at the rear axle producing 268bhp, a top speed of 112mph, and a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds, paired with a 51kWh battery (49kWh usable) delivering up to 212 miles on a single charge – this model is also capable of 150kW charging speeds, meaning a 10-80% top-up can take around 26 minutes.
The Extended Range model uses the same motor paired with a larger 69kWh (64kWh usable) battery. It manages the 0-62mph sprint a little quicker, in 5.3 seconds, with the same 112mph top speed. Its larger battery delivers up to 298 miles on a charge according to official figures, and 175kW charging speeds mean the 10-80% top-up time takes around the same as the smaller-battery model, at around 26 to 28 minutes.
The top-of-the-range Twin Motor Performance model gets the same battery and charging speed as the mid-range model, but sacrifices some of its range for quicker performance thanks to its extra motor at the front. Total output is an impressive 422bhp, allowing this model to hit 62mph in just 3.6 seconds. The Twin Motor Performance will get up to 286 miles to a charge according to Volvo’s figures.
Volvo EX30 trim levels and release date
The EX30 is now available to order in the UK with deliveries expected in the first quarter of 2024. Buyers can choose between two trim levels: Plus and Ultra. A cheaper ‘Core’ model is expected to join the range later on.
Plus costs from £33,795 and gets the 12.3-inch Google-based infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 18-inch (standard battery) or 19-inch (Extended Range) alloy wheels, a premium Harman Kardon audio system, dual-zone climate control with a heat pump, heated front seats and steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and three-phase 11kW onboard AC charger. Buyers also get a three-year, 60,000-mile ‘care package’ which includes all servicing as part of the package.
Ultra starts from £42,045 and is only available with the larger battery in rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. These models get a 360-degree camera, automatic parking technology, a panoramic roof, 20-inch alloys, power-adjustable front seats, tinted rear windows and a 22kW three-phase onboard charger.
Keyword: New Volvo EX30 small electric SUV: prices, specs and details revealed