Volvo EX30 Review: Compact EV With Big Ambitions

So we're back with the Volvo EX30, the brand's smallest vehicle available in India! Today, we’re not going to be reviewing it since Siddharth already has, but we’ll tell you all the quirks this baby swede packs and even how it feels to drive in India. 

Volvo EX30 Review: Design and Dimension

When you look at the EX30 from a distance, it’ll look small because it is small, and you can mistake it for a large hatchback. If you come closer to it, you’ll see that it’s, in fact, quite compact for an SUV. Some may even think it looks like the Hyundai Tucson, but it’s actually kind of the same size as the Creta. It’s just 4.2 metres long, while the Creta is 4.3 metres long. It’s also shorter than the Creta by 85 mm. But it’s wider by 48 mm, and the wheelbase is longer by 40 mm. So does that mean it feels smaller inside compared to a Creta?

Before that, let me quickly tell you how to get inside the car. There’s a physical key, but it’s a card that can easily fit inside the wallet. You need to tap it on the B-pillar to open the car; you can even do it through an app. But if you use the key, you’d have to put it in the wireless charger for it to be detected and the car to start. All of it is kind of a cumbersome process, you know, taking the key out of the wallet every time.  

Volvo EX30 Review: Interior and Features

The cabin of the EX30 is spacious for its dimensions. The front passengers have decent amounts of space to be comfortable. 

But when you hop into the rear seat, you start to see some glaring misses. I’m 5’11” and there’s barely any under-thigh support at the back, and there’s not enough foot space that me to stretch my legs under the front seats. Shorter passengers, though, will not face an issue. That said, the seats are well cushioned, good enough for short-to-medium journeys. Three average-sized passengers might also find an issue sitting in the back. I think Volvo is aiming at buyers who’d drive the car, and for them, it’s great. But India is a country where the majority of the buyers prefer to have a chauffeur, especially in the luxury segment, and for them, it could be a deal breaker. 

Volvo hasn’t thought much about the rear passengers because there’s no rear AC vent, and you only get two USB-C ports. Even if the back seat was meant for children, there should have been a provision for rear seat entertainment or at least a dock to attach a tablet. 

The 12.3-inch screen is the biggest we’ve seen from Volvo in India, and of course, this too runs on Android OS. Let me just quickly point out that FINALLY Volvo has given it wireless Apple CarPlay. Thank you, Volvo! 

A big miss for Volvo is omitting the instrument cluster and giving all the drive information in the touchscreen. So, all your essential information is right here at the top of the screen. It’s not convenient, as I have to keep looking at it to see what speeds I’m doing, if my ADAS is on, or even to see what settings my headlights are in. Yes, I get the concept of minimalism, but a head-up display would have been nice, though. 

The EX30 uses a lot of recycled materials as Volvo wants to become more sustainable. That’s a good thing, and even the dashboard trim is made of recycled denim. Looks cool, no?

There are only two stalks behind the steering wheel, one is for the gear selector and the other is for the wipers and indicators. So how do you control the lights? Go into that big tablet, head over to vehicle settings and select the light settings you want. You’d still have to select OK from the steering wheel to choose any setting. 

If you want to adjust your mirrors, you know, the entire housing moves and not just the glass. Again, controlled by those buttons on the steering wheel. 

Now the EX30 has lots of cool easter eggs in the car. Some are hard to find, some are thrown right at your face. The one that you’ll find the most difficult to find is in the tray that pops out of the centre console. The boot and frunk ones are the easiest to spot. 

The 318-litre boot space is good enough for a couple of weekend bags, but the 7-litre frunk is good enough for a bag of air. 

Volvo EX30 Review: Performance

The EX30 in India comes in a single variant – the single-motor extended range. Its 69 kWh battery pack is good for up to 480 km, and the single motor on the rear axle churns out a healthy 268 bhp and 343 Nm. 0-100 kmph comes in just 5.3 seconds. 

The EX30 has more than enough power you’ll need. It does a decent job on the highway, easily maintaining triple-digit speeds and enough grunt to overtake on the highways. We haven’t driven the EX30 in the city yet, but we feel it has enough power to make it fun to drive. 

The ride quality isn’t bad, but it isn’t the best either. The 19-inch wheels mean you’ll feel the bumps in the road a little, and a slightly thicker tyre profile would have made it comfier. 

Volvo EX30 Review: Verdict

Now the biggest part – price. What’s it going to be? Hmm, you’ll have to wait till the end of September to know exactly what that is, but we can take a guess, right? Size-wise, the EX30 is smaller than the EX40, but it’s based on a newer platform. Even globally, the EX30 is cheaper than the EX40, and the same should be the case in India, right? So, the ideal price for this baby Swede should be ₹42 - 45 lakh rupees (ex-showroom, India). A sweet spot. 

At this price, it competes squarely with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, but that’s bigger than the Volvo. The MINI Countryman E, BMW iX1 L and BYD Atto 3 are pricier but also much larger. The EX30 drives well, has a good amount of features, and of course ,comes with Volvo’s safety credentials. If priced right, it’ll be a game-changer for Volvo in India.