In June this year, Volvo unveiled its newest and smallest SUV, the Volvo EX30. We were privileged to be a part of the launch event in Milan and bring you exclusive details about the EX30. The compact SUV combines style, luxury, sustainability and performance at an attractive price point. As the demand for small, premium all-electric SUVs continues to rise, Volvo has seamlessly entered this rapidly expanding market segment. At the time, we were greatly impressed by the sleek and timeless Scandinavian Design of the all-electric Volvo EX30. Additionally, the utilisation of sustainable materials further bolstered its appeal. Now, let's further explore as we had the opportunity to test drive the EX30.

Exterior design

Speaking about the exterior design: the Volvo EX30 is the ultimate eco-friendly car from Volvo, perfectly blending advanced technology with timeless Scandinavian design. Its long wheelbase, large wheels, and equal overhangs create a harmonious exterior. The striking front end, closed shield, and adapted Thor’s Hammer headlights highlight its electric nature. The frameless door mirror design optimizes the rear view by fully utilising the mirror casing. This minimalistic design enhances the contemporary, sleek look of the car. With a range of five vibrant colours, from Cloud Blue to Moss Yellow inspired by lichen on Sweden’s west coast, this vehicle exudes character. Overall, the design perfectly aligns with our aesthetic preferences.

Interior design

Volvo's EX30 interior exemplifies the brand's commitment to environmentally conscious design. With its modern and clean aesthetics, Volvo incorporates reused and renewable fabrics like denim, flax, and wool. There are four distinct interior designs or 'rooms' – Breeze, Indigo, Mist, and Pine – each featuring a unique combination of recycled and renewable materials.

Let's delve into the materials used in the interior, the so-called “rooms” of the Volvo EX30. As said before various sustainable materials find its use here. The "Mist" and "Pine" rooms showcase woven flax from linseed plants, beautifully incorporated into the dashboard and door decorations. For the "Indigo" room, upcycled denim fibers from jeans recycling lend a unique touch. The "Breeze" room, on the other hand, showcases ground plastic waste from discarded window frames and roller shutters. Crafted with a commitment to sustainability, the seat upholstery in the "Mist" room features a tailored wool blend, comprising 30% responsibly produced wool and 70% recycled polyester. Additionally, the "Breeze," "Indigo," and "Pine" rooms boast Nordico, a bio-attributed material derived partly from Finnish- and Swedish-sourced pine oil. To complete the eco-friendly design, the "Breeze" room's seat upholstery utilises a knitted textile made entirely from 100% recycled polyester. Notably, all interior designs feature carpets crafted from 100% recycled PET bottles. We admire the interior design, Volvo has created in the EX30. The rooms of the Volvo EX30 harmoniously complement the exterior design and colour palette, creating a perfect blend that enhances the overall appeal.

Speaking of the user experience: the Volvo EX30 presents a simplified and user-friendly experience with all the necessary information available on a single 12.3-inch touchscreen. Which in turns means: the availability of information in your direct line of sight has changed, including common information such speed. This adjustment requires some getting used to. While we appreciate the minimalist design approach, we would have preferred the inclusion of a head-up display as an optional feature.

One thing that we highly appreciate in a car is the sound system. The Volvo EX30 is equipped with a soundbar, that is inspired by home audio systems. It consists of multiple speakers that distribute sound throughout the car's interior. When combined with the high-end sound system from Harman Kardon, it delivers exceptional audio quality for an immersive in-car listening experience.

Perfomance

The new Volvo EX30 offers a powerful and efficient driving experience with its electric drive. It features three performance levels, including rear-wheel and all-wheel drive options. The entry-level version has a 200 kW (272 hp) Single Motor and a 51 kWh high voltage battery, providing a range of up to 344 km (WLTP cycle). There is also an Extended Range option with a 69 kWh battery, offering a range of about 480 km. The Twin Motor Performance AWD combines two electric motors, producing 315 kW (428 hp) and enabling the Volvo EX30 to reach 100 km/h from 0 in just 3.6 seconds, making it the fastest Volvo ever. All variants support one pedal driving, providing comfort and increased range. Additional standard features include a heat pump (excluding single motor variant), an 11 kW onboard charger (22 kW onboard charger for Ultra series), and fast charging capability at DC charging stations, with a charging time of 26 minutes – from 10% to 80% – at up to 153 kW (134 kW for single motor, 51 kWh battery).

Summarised: We admire the timeless, Scandinavian design of the Volvo EX30, whether it’s the exterior or interior. Crafted with sustainable materials, this compact SUV is perfectly suited for urban settings, while offering both comfort and ample space. With smooth, yet powerful and secure driving experience, the Volvo EX30 as an extended range boasts almost 500 kilometers on a single charge. The entry-level "Core" variant is available at an affordable price of 36.590 euros.

Pictures: Volvo Cars Germany for ellectric