Volvo EX30 Review
Volvo has somehow managed to turn the introduction of its innovative new subcompact EV into a roller-coaster of consumer-teasing and geopolitical marketing loops. When first announced in mid-2023, the EX30 was slated to arrive a year later, with an eye-popping starting MSRP of under US $35,000, a price closer to the Chevrolet Bolt EV than any luxury-brand EV at the time.
That figure was even more noteworthy because Volvo also announced that the more powerful all-wheel drive twin-motor version would also be the quickest-accelerating Volvo ever.
A tempting proposition, no doubt, and reservations flooded in for Volvo’s entry-level yet high-performance small SUV/hot hatch. Then, the U.S. enactment of 100-percent tariffs on EVs produced in China dealt a body blow to that plan, prompting the teeny-tiny SUV from the Sino-Swedish brand to be delayed to 2025, when production of units headed to North America could be moved from China to Volvo’s plant in Ghent, Belgium.
But wait, said Volvo in November 2024: we will be able to deliver some by the end of the year after all! Indeed, the first few reports of customer deliveries trickled in around Christmas, with Volvo confirming that it would begin deliveries with the top two all-wheel drive trims, Plus and Ultra, to folks that had pre-ordered it.
Volvo EX30 Starting Price
The ’25 Plus starts at an MSRP of $46,195, but a quick look of national inventory on Volvo’s consumer site suggests the vast majority of the 41 units available as of this writing are the top Ultra model, which starts $1,700 higher at $47,895 MSRP. The EX30 is not eligible for the $7,500 consumer tax rebate, but it can be leased with a similar amount off, as long as that government carrot lasts into 2025.
This particular EX30 that I spent a week driving and charging was the less-expensive rear-drive version set to arrive later in 2025, which is actually on sale now in Canada, along with the spicier twin-motor AWD version that’s the only one currently offered in the U.S.
I’ve managed to briefly test drive both RWD and AWD versions now multiple times, in temperate fall weather as well as sub-zero temperatures. But, this was my first multi-day experience living with the EX30 as an owner would: charging it on the Level 2 in my garage at home, and also hunting for DC quick chargers when in need of a speedier charge.
The EPA suggests all EX30 models are fairly consistent when it comes to range, offering between 250 miles (AWD with the largest 20-inch wheels) and 261 miles for the RWD extended range models with the larger wheels, and, unusually, just a bit less (257 miles) for the base model on 18-inch wheels.
But the range was significantly less in chilly winter conditions. With temperatures closer to freezing, the car predicted a fairly realistic 185 miles (299 km) on a full charge in its more accurate Dynamic range estimate setting. This figure adjusted much more optimistically in the Certified range setting to 246 miles (396 km).
Perhaps this Certified mode should be labeled Certifiable. As in: this range is only possible in ideal conditions; and you’d also have to be certifiable to keep it in this super-unrealistic setting.
Using the Dynamic range predictor, after a few days of winter conditions with heavy use of the heater, when I charged to a battery-health promoting 80 percent state of charge, predicted range was down to roughly 150 miles (240 km). The battery is 69 kWh in size, with 65 kWh usable.
None of these figures are class-leading, even for regularly-priced mainstream EVs. The similarly priced Chevrolet Equinox EV offers over 300 EPA estimated miles of range, and its $35k MSRP entry model is available now, plus it offers a federal rebate whether you’d like to buy or lease.
EX30 Charging: Compromised Tesla Access
If you have to quick charge, the Volvo EX30 maxes out at 153 kW, using a CCS combo charger plug. The charge port at the driver’s side rear is in the perfect position to use Tesla Superchargers, but as of this writing, the EX30 is still the only battery-electric Volvo that can’t charge at newer V3 and V4 Superchargers in North America even if you have a proper adapter.
I stopped a couple of times at a V3 Tesla Supercharger, just to make sure my A2Z EV adapter wouldn’t charge it using the Tesla app, which I had done for many brands, even ones that hadn’t officially yet been given access at the time (Hyundai, General Motors).
Volvo says it is working on full Supercharger access for the EX30, but until the vehicle software and app can be updated, EX30 drivers will have to use CCS stations, which limits choices and convenience for road-trippers as well as folks without home or work charging.
For now, the only Tesla stations at which the EX30 can DC quick-charge are those equipped with the Magic Dock universal connector, which have been designed to work with any CCS vehicle. But those are relatively rare, and not a growing proportion of the network. That’s because most automakers are moving to use the NACS (Tesla) connector in the next few years.
The fact that the EX30 launched in North America with such a key software upgrade missing was likely a result, or at least not helped, by that roller coaster of a planning cycle of “will it, won’t it” arrive, and by when.
Volvo EX30 Interior
Climbing into the EX30 is a mix of hyper-modern yet unabashedly cost-conscious design. There’s no information or screen just ahead of the driver, with all driver info and infotainment functions landing on the massive vertical screen in the middle. There’s a column-mounted shifter behind the steering wheel, but you’ll have to look to the top left of the center screen to see what gear you’ve just engaged.
Even in this fully loaded Ultra model, with many high-end features included, there were also some basic or expected features missing. There are no buttons for the rear windows, and no buttons at all on any of the doors – for windows, door locks or any speakers embedded in them – with Volvo claiming that a sound bar going across the dash provides all the sound needed, while removing costly wiring and manufacturing complexity from the doors.
There was also no satellite radio, nor AM radio, nor even the digital versions of AM radio that can be tuned via alternate FM stations. Also MIA: rear leg room, especially for six-footers trying to sit behind themselves. That said, up front, the panoramic glass roof and clever center console that can hide its cupholder wall between front-seat passengers helps give the small SUV a roomy feel.
Keep in mind, the EX30 is more than eight inches shorter overall than the Volvo EX40 EV (formerly XC40 Recharge). Amongst small luxury SUV rivals, it compares closest in size to the Lexus UX hybrid, which itself is relatively small for its class, but the EX30 still lines up at 10.3 inches less than the subcompact Lexus.
The EX30’s cargo area holds 14.1 cubic feet of gear, or roughly 3.1 cubic feet less than the UX. But there’s no comparing with the utter smoothness of the Volvo’s drivetrain, which contrasts with the relatively loud and harsh Lexus hybrid mill that only ceases its noise at stop lights.
Volvo EX30 Driving Experience
Out on the road, the single-motor rear-wheel drive version also felt plenty quick, to the point where first time I drove it, I thought they had mistakenly given me the fire-breathing 422-hp AWD version. The single motor can send its 268 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque to the rear tires almost instantly, with a standing start to 60 mph possible in a very quick 5.1 seconds.
The handling and steering feel weren’t nearly as sports-car quick as the EX30’s acceleration, but for such a small vehicle, it was hard not to come away impressed with its overall road manners.
Some long-term EV owners may be disappointed that the one-pedal drive mode is barely different than its “off” setting, slowing the car down a bit more occasionally, but not always.
Software Still Needs Sorting Out
We’ve mentioned the missing Tesla Supercharger access from all EX30 models, but there were also a couple other software hiccups on this particular vehicle I hadn’t encountered with any of the other three EX30 models I’ve sampled in the fall and early winter. The wireless Apple CarPlay didn’t want to connect for me the whole week, even though the Bluetooth connected fine.
When I first received the car, it didn’t want to read data from my phone, including my Google account, meaning there were no maps, no directions and no finding chargers on the car’s screen. One workaround I found was connecting the car to my home wi-fi network, which at least allowed maps to be downloaded, and destinations found if needed.
But perhaps most disconcerting was a misaligned rear camera, which meant that the backup camera view’s top third or so was always partially blocked. I at first thought it was snow or grime that had gotten on the lens, but no, even a thorough lens wipe didn’t help.
Volvo EX30: Innovative Small Crossover, Moderate Value
All in all, the Volvo EX30 is an innovative little SUV, but its value equation that promised to be its most impressive aspect has been overshadowed by its new, higher, starting price, and the fact that the Chevrolet Equinox arrived on the scene this past summer at a very low price point.
Almost $50,000 is not much for an all-electric Volvo SUV; but when the notably larger EX40 is only a few grand more, the value-oriented part of your brain will realize that it may be worth waiting for the base EX30 model coming later in 2025.
