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The Volvo EX30 Cross Country treads a well known path for the Swedish model.
Adding some rough-and-tumble design cues to make a boxy Volvo look extra off-roady has been a well-liked strategy over the many years, and now it has entered a brand new period.
This totally electrical compact crossover electrical car (EV) has all-wheel drive, and there have been some first rate adjustments made to assist it appear extra rugged and adventurous.
It takes the place of the previous top-spec hi-po dual-motor variant, with the identical big outputs. And I’ve an issue with that. I’ll clarify why on this assessment.
How a lot does the Volvo EX30 price?
The Volvo EX30 Cross Country is the brand new flagship grade of the all-electric compact SUV mannequin line, with the present dual-motor efficiency variant shuffled away to make room for this powerful cookie.
| Model | Price earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2026 Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range Plus | $59,990 |
| 2026 Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range Ultra | $66,290 |
| 2026 Volvo EX30 Cross Country | $69,990 |
You’re about $78,000 parked in your driveway, then. But no less than it’s cheaper than the earlier Ultra Performance flagship, which arguably wasn’t as likeable as this one, and topped the vary at $71,290 plus on-roads (about $80,500 drive-away).
But there are heaps of various decisions you could possibly make should you’re contemplating a compact electrical SUV with all-wheel drive, a lot of that are bigger, extra spacious, and extra sensible.
To see how the Volvo EX30 traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
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What is the Volvo EX30 like on the within?
It appears to me that the mindset behind the inside of this automobile is to make use of recycled supplies to create an atmosphere that’s premium, snug and intelligent. And for probably the most half, it’s a job properly completed – in that it’s the standard minimalist fashionable Volvo.
But additionally it is a really pleasant cabin, no less than within the entrance.
Some folks may not essentially be enamoured by the recycled materials ending on the dashboard and elsewhere, and the ‘Nordico’ seat trim – which partly feels a bit like wetsuit materials – can also be to not everybody’s liking.
But the denim inserts on the seats and door playing cards actually break issues up properly. And should you desire, there’s a (no price) non-compulsory inexperienced end with wool mix inserts as an alternative.
There’s electrical seat adjustment and lumbar alter, and seat heating too, however no air flow for these ones, sadly.
And how’s this: each occupants get self-importance mirrors, however they aren’t illuminated – which is a bit cheapo.
And in entrance of the driving force there is no such thing as a digital instrument cluster, and also you don’t even get a head-up show for $70,000.
Instead, you simply have the central pill display together with your speedometer within the high right-hand nook. It continues to be a look away from the highway to see your pace.
That display is the management centre of every little thing that you just would possibly wish to use on this automobile, and for probably the most half it is extremely usable and really user-friendly.
You will study it inside simply a few days (as I did), however the issues you will have to concentrate to incorporate the aspect mirrors which are adjusted utilizing that display (and steering wheel controls), and it’s important to open the central glovebox with the display, too.
There are additionally some welcome fast switches to show off among the security programs, as properly – extra on that within the driving part.
There are screens for automobile standing, settings changes, and battery standing and charging parameters as properly, after which there are settings which you could bounce by to configure issues the way you’d like them to be.
There is Google tech constructed into this automobile to permit you to rapidly get used to the usability of the media system. That means Google Maps, and there’s additionally the Google Assistant function, and the Play Store to obtain apps from.
Otherwise you have got wi-fi Apple CarPlay accessible as properly, and that makes a pleasant contact as a result of it didn’t used to have that.
On the steering wheel there are a variety of different controls together with your cruise system, and each quantity and media changes, plus a voice management toggle. You should use the column-mounted gear selector to interact cruise management within the first occasion. It’s a protracted press all the way down to get it to return on, you then use the steering wheel changes to alter pace, distance and mode.
There are big door pockets with a lot of area for bottles and unfastened objects (they usually’re lined, so stuff gained’t rattle round an excessive amount of). But one factor that older patrons or mobility-impaired prospects may not love is the shortage of a correct pull-handle for the door.
Between the seats you’ll discover a wi-fi cellphone charging dock, and an extra area the place you could possibly holster an additional cellphone, and under there’s an openable part with USB ports, plus area to permit you to retailer some hidden objects if it is advisable.
Between the seats you’ll discover an extendable and hideable cupholder shelf with two cupholders, or you possibly can push it again for it to be a single cupholder should you don’t want each in play. Or none. You resolve.
What meaning, nonetheless, is that you just don’t have any openable centre console area between the seats, which may very well be a problem.
The electrical window switches are additionally in between the entrance seats, and it’s important to press the ‘Rear’ button if you wish to wind down these again home windows.
As for the again seat, should you contemplate your self ‘small’ you would possibly match. Anyone else? Order an Uber.
That’s as a result of this automobile may be very small on the surface, and has a really tight again seat.
At 6’0” or 182cm tall, I solely simply managed to squeeze myself in behind my very own driving place – my knees had been caught exhausting in opposition to the seat forward, and toe room was very tight as properly. Headroom for somebody my dimension was okay however not terrific, and also you don’t get seize handles for anybody on this automobile, which can be an issue – once more, significantly for the mobility impaired.
You do get ceiling lights and an area that you could possibly hook up a security web to retailer bigger objects if it is advisable (with the rear seats down), however general the back-seat expertise shouldn’t be nice.
You don’t get directional air vents, and neither is there a drop-down armrest with cupholders both. There are pocket sleeves within the doorways, with the identical good denim ending too, nevertheless it isn’t a really spacious or snug place to be.
One factor that may really be a turn-off for fogeys and youngsters is the shortage of a canopy for the glass roof – you could possibly in all probability discover one as an aftermarket accent, however my daughter (within the again) and I (up entrance) had been each sad on among the journeys we did on this automobile on a heat, sunny afternoon.
Boot area is first rate for a automobile of this dimension. There is an adjustable flooring part so you possibly can decrease it down if it is advisable, nevertheless it will depend on the way you configure another parts. There are some first rate facilities in that boot space, together with a lightweight and hooks.
And whereas there is no such thing as a spare, it’s a fairly sensible area for a car of this dimension, with 318 litres of capability.
You get a Mode 2 charging cable and tyre restore equipment that might want to go someplace, if not beneath the boot flooring then perhaps within the seven-litre frunk beneath the bonnet.
| Dimensions | Volvo EX30 Cross Country |
|---|---|
| Length | 4233mm |
| Width | 1567mm |
| Height | 1850mm |
| Wheelbase | 2650mm |
| Cargo capability | 318L (behind rear seats) 1000L (behind entrance seats) |
To see how the Volvo EX30 traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What’s beneath the bonnet?
The carryover performance-oriented powertrain is discovered utilized to the brand new top-spec Cross Country model.
| Specifications | Volvo EX30 Cross Country |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Dual-motor electrical |
| Battery | 69kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) |
| Power | 315kW |
| Torque | 543Nm |
| Drive kind | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1910kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 3.7 seconds |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 19.1kWh/100km |
| Energy consumption (as examined) | 20.5kWh/100km |
| Claimed vary | 417km |
| Max AC cost price | 11kW |
| Max DC cost price | 135kW |
Why on Earth does a small crossover EV like this have to have that a lot grunt and the power to go that quick?
It’s not a efficiency mannequin. It’s presupposed to be extra of a soft-roader, with a premium expertise. Not a rollercoaster journey.
The actual purpose I’m not that impressed with the large outputs is that, in concept, the motors may have been detuned to supply nonetheless sturdy outputs (say 220kW/400Nm) and a drop in acceleration efficiency (perhaps 6.0 seconds to 100km/h), which might – theoretically – enhance the effectivity. Which is required.
Because whereas the power consumption declare is nineteen.1kWh per 100km, I noticed a real-world return of 20.5kWh per 100km, that means a real-world driving vary nearer to 360km, not 427km.
It’s not a heavy EV, however its power use is. For a little bit of context, I’ve pushed dual-motor AWD EVs from Kia, Hyundai, Tesla, Zeekr and others with much less energy and torque however nonetheless sturdy acceleration, and seen extra like 18.0kWh per 100km…
To see how the Volvo EX30 traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
How does the Volvo EX30 drive?
TOO MUCH POWER.
I stand by it.
I believe that is overpowered for the form of car that it’s making an attempt to be, and the form of buyer it’s going to attraction to.
I get it – EVs permit easy efficiency, prompt torque, and large acceleration. And within the hatchback predecessor that was known as the Performance Ultra, that made sense.
But I’ve pushed a couple of Cross Country fashions from Volvo over time, and sometimes they’ve been highly effective sufficient and quick sufficient… however not silly-fast like this one.
The energy development and the administration of the tempo is comparatively effective, however if you’re an uninitiated EV driver, there’s a good probability you’ll rapidly jab the throttle pedal in site visitors and find yourself approach additional alongside than you had been anticipating to be.
Even in probably the most sedate drive mode – Range, which prioritises rear-wheel driveability and fewer of an ‘acceleration’ strategy – the throttle pedal is extraordinarily delicate, and you’ll discover should you rapidly hit the ‘gas’ it would reply with pointless eagerness.
In Performance mode it’s insane. Seriously, you actually have to be aware of the throttle response and the urgency that this automobile will reply with.
The different pedal? Well, you should use it if you would like, however in any other case there’s a Single Pedal driving mode that makes use of the regen braking to nearly cease the automobile for you with out brake pedal intervention.
The High setting is assertive, Low is a superb middle-ground, and when the Single Pedal mode is off, it’s free-wheeling like a combustion-powered automobile.
Beyond the powertrain, the EX30 is a beautiful little factor.
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The steering is pleasant, and since it’s a rear-biased setup (particularly in Range mode) it has a pleasant stability to the best way that it handles itself in corners as properly. In Performance mode will probably be all-wheel drive, and you’ll have the additional traction that you want.
The steering is extraordinarily responsive and has an honest quantity of weighting, too.
And with the 12mm raised suspension and higher-profile tyres on smaller wheels (19s, with Goodyear EfficientGrip 235/50 R19 rubber) the whole improve in peak is 19mm, that means a bit extra clearance over bumps and lumps. There can also be an 18-inch wheel and tyre bundle with extra aggressive off-road-inspired tyres, however that’ll be dangerous in your effectivity.
However, the earlier Performance Ultra flagship was broadly criticised for its sharp and uncomfortable journey, whereas this instance is significantly extra snug in a mixture of conditions. It nonetheless feels stiff due to the battery weight being under the ground and plenty of structural strengthening, nevertheless it doesn’t buck about over sharp metropolis bumps, and recovers properly at larger speeds, too.
The driving expertise here’s a very constructive one, and made even higher by the very fact there are easy controls to show off among the security programs should you don’t need them on.
Just faucet the automobile icon on the backside of the display and also you’ll have the ability to rapidly flip off the driving force monitoring digital camera should you don’t need that on (it’s not too annoying should you do go away it on), and in addition the lane-keeping know-how might be disabled there too.
Beyond that you just do have the power to make use of adaptive cruise management with cease, begin and steer (Pilot Assist) functionality, and in addition a pace signal adaptation if you would like it, however personally I discovered myself not essentially participating that know-how. It’s not my favorite.
To see how the Volvo EX30 traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What do you get?
Choose the EX30 Cross Country and also you get the overhauled look bundle and gear, along with an entire host of different nice tech and spec.
2026 Volvo EX30 Cross Country gear highlights:
- 19-inch alloy wheels with higher-profile summer time tyres
- Front and rear skidplates
- Dark colored entrance and rear physique panelling
- Dark wheel-arch extensions
- Raised suspension
- Dual-motor AWD
Other normal gear:
- Two-tone distinction roof
- Fixed panoramic glass roof, no cowl
- LED headlights and tail-lights
- 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google inbuilt
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Over-the-air software program updates
- Digital key (Bluetooth cellphone unlocking)
- Wireless smartphone charging
- Harman Kardon stereo with entrance soundbar
- Power tailgate
- Auto-dimming aspect mirrors
- 360-degree digital camera
- Semi-autonomous parking help
- Power-adjustable entrance seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Heat pump
- Dual zone local weather
- Denim trim
- Rear privateness glass (tinted home windows)
Stuff that’s lacking? There’s no head-up show, you don’t get a canopy for the glass roof, the entrance seats aren’t ventilated, and there are not any rear air vents.
To see how the Volvo EX30 traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
Is the Volvo EX30 secure?
The Volvo EX30 achieved the utmost five-star ANCAP score in 2024, and that rating applies to all variants.
| Category | Volvo EX30 |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant safety | 88 per cent |
| Child occupant safety | 85 per cent |
| Vulnerable highway person safety | 79 per cent |
| Safety help | 80 per cent |
Standard security options embrace:
- Autonomous emergency braking with detection for:
- Pedestrian
- Cyclist
- Motorcycle
- Intersection assist
- Lane-keep help
- Lane centring help
- Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system
- Adaptive cruise management
- Blind-spot monitoring together with steering and braking intervention
- Front cross-traffic alert with braking
- Rear cross-traffic alert with braking
- Traffic signal recognition
- Door exit warning
- Driver monitoring digital camera system
- Surround-view digital camera system
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Semi-autonomous parking
It has seven airbags fitted – twin entrance, entrance centre, entrance aspect, and full-length curtain protection.
To see how the Volvo EX30 traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Volvo EX30 price to run?
Choose this EV and also you get some huge possession advantages. There is a normal five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, and the battery pack is roofed by an eight-year, 160,000km guarantee – which is the category normal.
| Servicing and Warranty | Volvo EX30 |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 24 months or 30,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | Free for five years |
There can also be 5 years of roadside help included with the automobile, which may switch to a brand new proprietor, too.
And the servicing may be very thoughtful, with intervals set at each 24 months/30,000km. Plus there’s a servicing program that spans a large 5 years/150,000km, so should you do loads of kays, it’ll be interesting. Best of all, it gained’t price you a cent to service the automobile for the primary 5 years/150,000km.
Volvo Car Australia even provides “wear & tear coverage” that means consumables just like the automobile’s air filter, tyre restore equipment sealant, brake discs and brake pads, windscreen cleansing system, and software program updates are all coated at no further price. Wow!
And for what it’s value, I had somebody ask me the place it’s made, and the reply is China.
To see how the Volvo EX30 traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
CarProfessional’s Take on the Volvo EX30
There’s actually quite a bit going for the Volvo EX30 Cross Country.
The look bundle, the inside ending, and the snug drive expertise are all large ticks. Meanwhile, the aftersales provisions may very well be the most important tick of all.
But as I stated, you’ll actually should get used to the quantity of energy and the way it’s utilized, as a result of this automobile is perhaps a little bit of a handful for these anticipating the ‘old’ Cross Country strategy from the Swedish model.
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