New Volvo EX30 is the firm’s smallest SUV, starting at £34,000
The EX30 comes in single and dual motor configurations making up to 422bhp
Volvo has unveiled its smallest electric SUV yet, and will start from £34,000.
The EX30 will arrive in showrooms during the autumn season, ahead of the firm’s goal of making half of its cars fully electric within the next 18 months.
With a length of 4.23 metres, the Volvo EX30 is 30 centimetres shorter than Audi's Q4 e-tron and around 25 centimetres shorter than Mercedes' EQA, making it the smallest car in its class.
It utilises the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform from Volvo’s parent company and Chinese mega brand Geely - a bespoke platform developed specifically for electric vehicles. As a result, the car boasts a wheelbase measuring 2,650mm.
Externally, the EX30 retains Volvo's signature style, with the most notable design feature being the lighting, which looks to resemble the shape of Thor's hammer, and will ride on a choice of 18-inch to 20-inch wheels.
When it comes to the battery, performance and range, the Volvo EX30 offers three main technical configurations.
The Single Motor version features a rear axle drive unit producing 268bhp and 343Nm of torque, resulting in a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds. It is powered by a 51kWh (49kWh net) battery providing a claimed range of up to 212 miles. Volvo says this can be replenished via charging speed of up to 150kW, enabling a 10 to 80 percent charge in 26 minutes.
Then there's the Extended Range model with the same motor but a larger 69kWh battery (64kWh usable), offering a claimed range of up to 298 miles and a faster 0-62mph time of 5.3 seconds. This battery supports DC charging speeds of up to 175kW, resulting in a 10-80 percent charge
in around 26 to 28 minutes.
The range-topping Twin Motor Performance model retains the Extended Range battery and charging speed but adds an additional motor on the front axle. This configuration delivers a total output of 422bhp and 543Nm of torque, allowing the EX30 to accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds. However, that extra oomph does have an impact on range - 286 miles according to Volvo.
Moving to the interior, the Volvo EX30 boasts a prominent portrait-layout infotainment system as the centrepiece of its fascia. Like the EX90 flagship, the EX30 is equipped with a Google-powered infotainment system, and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Volvo says the car also features different recyclable and renewable materials, such as upcycled denim fibre for the dashboard.
To optimise space, Volvo has eliminated conventional door-mounted speakers and instead incorporated a sound bar that spans the entire top edge of the dashboard, resulting in larger door pockets.
While the EX30 lacks the lidar systems found in the EX90, Volvo assures that it will maintain the brand's renowned safety standards, particularly with an emphasis on enhancing safety in urban settings.
To prove this, the doors are equipped with alerts as standard to warn against opening them when a cyclist or runner is passing by.
Upon its launch in the UK, the EX30 will be available in two trim levels: Plus and Ultra, both of which come with a selection of standard features. The Plus models include automatic LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, two-zone climate control and heated front seats.
In addition to the normal EX30, Volvo has also confirmed a more rugged, EX30 Cross Country model will come in 2024, which will feature a raised ride height for off-roading. .