Volvo EX30 Ultra road test review: a new experience for Swedish owners
The newest Gothenburg car comes from China, but it is by no means a scam.
Price: AUD 84,990
Powertrain: Dual electric motors, all-wheel drive, 315kW/543Nm, 69kWh battery, single speed.
Dimensions: Length 4233mm, width 1838mm, height 1550mm.
We like: intelligent design; Powerful performance; Excellent ride quality.
Not so clear: the touchscreen is distracting, prompts may lag; HUD required; Radio tuner.
When my favorite radio station finally came out with a clear signal, it only lasted for a short time, and after a few moments, the signal started to weaken again.
During my week in office, a lasting and strong bond was never made.
During my drive, the Volvo EX30 refused to permanently lock any station, whether it was my favorite or something else, which was weird, and it was a sore spot that I didn't expect.
Brand feedback says this is because the design of the car excludes direct human participation in the selection of stations, and instead lets the software call the shots, so that only the strongest signal strength is accepted. In my area, none of them were strong enough. Life in the big city may be another matter.
Volvo New Zealand has asked the factory to change the settings. This could be a software update; The car is set up for OTA. Another upcoming update is to allow the Android Automotive-themed Google infotainment system to offer Apple Carplay in its native format.
It's also appealing to me personally, as all other Volvo cars are equipped with CarPlay, and by using an interface that I'm more familiar with, I spend less time focusing on the car's control center. There is a large screen in the middle of the dashboard.
You may already know this design decision, which means that almost every aspect that involves hand manipulation needs to interact with this. There are hardly any physical buttons, except for the pole bar and a few individual buttons, such as a roof-mounted hazard switch.
With the exception of the expected features such as sound, heating and ventilation, and satellite navigation, everything else is controlled through a 12.3-inch portrait screen in the center of the dashboard. Adjust wiper settings? Rearview mirrors? Open the glove box? Use the screen.
Does this remind you of another electric car of the moment? Has Volvo's obsession with minimalist interiors in car design also gone too far? Well, maybe. In the short term, this is a challenge. What about in the long run? Yes, you will find a way to live with it. Maybe.
As an expression of switchgear and button agnosticism, the EX30 delved deep and even pointed out that the remote was buttonless (you just had to walk up and hope it unlocked, and when you walked away and wanted it to turn off), which angered so many people that it made a decisive attitude about what is a smart, charming and capable creation in general.
In terms of appearance, layout, and general operability, the large portrait multimedia touchscreen is excellent; In addition to its regular car-centric features, it's an excellent online viewing portal. In car mode, there are a lot of good ideas. It's divided into several areas, with basic driving data, including vehicle speed, only displayed at the top of the screen, and shortcuts to frequently used functions displayed at the bottom. There is also a "calm view" that shows only basic information.
However, Volvo's insistence that a single large screen is completely safe and reasonable to use seems a bit untenable. For me, when the car is moving, it can still be a little too smart because of the risk of distraction. Some basic operations – adjusting the air conditioner or speaker volume – require too many clicks and too much concentration to really feel safe.
In this respect, it faces the same challenges as some other kind of electronics, which are provided by a middle-aged billionaire CEO with self-serving liberal views, increasingly racist politics and a messianic complex" (quoting John Oliver).
Tesla can get away with it because ...... Well, because it's Tesla. Volvo should be given more thought because it is Volvo; Historically, Volvo has been the most reliable and safety-conscious car brand.
The way the EX30 operates is extremely ironic. It sets up a device that can be distracting, but it also does its best to prevent this from happening because it employs extremely strict driver attention monitoring. I can guarantee that any signs of inattention or fatigue will be spotted by it. I suspect it will even sound an alarm about abnormal eye movements. Be careful with slow flashing.
So, this aspect needs to be reconsidered. I think the driver's dashboard, perhaps a head-up display on the windshield, would be useful.
Other than that, the EX30 is really promising. As far as design thinking goes, it's a boxy car that breaks the mold, and it offers some extremely creative ideas that are simple yet so brilliant that you'll wonder why the rest of the automotive world can't see them.
One of them is straightforward. It's a bold and brilliant idea that does away with the usual speakers arranged in the doors, pillars, etc., and simply mounts a soundbar under the windshield. That's a big saving, the design is so clean, and, wow, the sound quality is amazingly good.
The entire design of this car, inside and out, is eclectic, unquestionable, and divergent. But overall, it's far-reaching, and it's a perfect fit for the character and the moment. What about the electric side? Again, very cleverly conceived. The dynamic feel of this car goes beyond the experience of a regular electric car. I love the ride quality of it.
It is also commendable that the smallest car in the Volvo range has the same commitment to passenger health as the others; It is impressive that various systems are loaded to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users. So far, it hasn't received an ANCAP/Euro NCAP rating, but you can imagine it looks like it's going to get a high rating.
Now, environmental certifications are important. The EX30 is extremely reliable. It's designed to have a lower carbon footprint than any previous Volvo model and is easier to recycle.
To meet this requirement, it contains 25% recycled aluminium and 17% recycled steel, with another 17% plastic coming from renewable sources.
Recycled materials are used in large quantities, especially PET bottles; The large instrument panel and door trim are made from recycled plastic-themed variants. Some of them look better than others, but they do help the EX30 achieve an impressively low lifecycle carbon footprint. The use of sustainable materials such as linen and wool does not diminish its prestige, as the presentations are clearly at a level of quality.
How much does it cost? The Volvo is a high-end car, if not as high-end as other top-of-the-line European cars. But I think the car is well positioned. While absolute show-off is non-existent, it feels very well rendered and designed.
In addition, the little details, such as the interior door handles, which are not only metal, not plastic, not only really elevate the cabin, but also make an impression, which is an authentic Scandinavian attempt. It would be a relief for those wondering where Geely ownership will take this brand.
For the EX30, this meant sourcing from Zhangjiakou, China, rather than Gothenburg. It makes a lot of sense. On the one hand, it makes it easier to supply; On the other hand, in addition to being a world leader in the field of electric vehicles, China also has the manufacturing capacity to meet any need.
Another feature of the EX30 is that it has a natural "electric" vibe. Before you start it, you know it's a battery-specific car; It's just that vibe. This is important because Volvo is committed to becoming an all-electric brand by 2030. Almost half of all new Volvo cars produced worldwide last year were rechargeable and a quarter were all-electric.
The battery choice for the EX30 is first and foremost a 49kWh (usable) lithium iron phosphate battery, which we haven't seen yet, but probably will. It's less expensive than traditional lithium-ion battery packs and potentially more robust; The disadvantage is that it is less energy efficient. Volvo New Zealand is cautious about the market positioning of this battery with a range of up to 344km, which is why New Zealand is currently only using an alternative 64kWh battery, which is based on the more familiar lithium-ion chemistry.
With this combination, the EX30 is available in a 200kW/343 single-motor variant, available in Extended Plus and Ultra versions, priced at $74,990 and $78,990 respectively, with a range of 479km. This time tested is the ultimate option, the 315kW/543Nm dual motor, also in the Ultra variant, priced at $84,990. According to global WLTP estimates, it is $40 cheaper than the cheapest single-motor versions, the C40 and CX1000, with a range of 460 km.
The dual motors are a real surprise. Electric cars are always responsive, but even so, they are particularly responsive in their starting speed. The ability to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds is enough to worry a serious sports car. Something that looks inconspicuous on the outside can be so fast, and some car owners will certainly be happy to show it.
While the car itself doesn't have a distinctly sporty feel, it feels pretty good to be full of power. The brakes, in particular, feel like everything is under control, and the one-pedal driving unit uses mostly regenerative braking, which has been fine-tuned to bring the EX30 to a complete stop in heavy traffic.
The routes I usually drive long distances are quiet country roads in the mountains, open roads with a lot of traffic, and even a few highways, as well as some city driving. With the air conditioner on, the power consumption is about 18kWh/100km.
As mentioned above, although it is not a pure driver's car, it is very pleasant to drive. Chassis tuning is perfect for New Zealand roads, especially on rough gravel roads. The grip is good, but more importantly, the car feels nimble and responsive, with a very good balance between body control and shock absorption. As an electric car, of course, it is heavy (about 1800 kg), but despite this, it does not feel too strenuous. For most people, most of the time, it's a car to show off. Another advantage is refinement. Despite the standard 20-inch rims and 245/40 rubber, the tires aren't too noisy, and those sleek rimless mirrors only produce a faint rusty whittle.
The feeling of being able to customize the car to your mood is more than just a few driving tuning adjustments. You can also adjust the steering feel; Also by using a touch screen, unfortunately this means that the submenus must be tapped. It doesn't make sense whether it's worth it or not; All three modes seem to me to be easy and quick. This is great for city driving, and the EX30 stands out with its small size and the advantages of an excellent surround-view camera system.
The maximum traction force of the dual motor is 1600 kg, which is 200 kg more than the single motor. The battery can be charged at up to 175kW under direct current, with the option to increase the 11kW AC charging rate to the more useful 22kW.
All of this is encased in a body that, of course, embodies Volvo's latest design language, with a new interpretation of the "Thor's Hammer" illumination logo and an equally stylish split taillight cluster. These elements work well on cars with minimal front and rear overhangs, but once the larger sister ship in this styling tour, the top-of-the-line EX90 seven-seater SUV, arrives early next year, they're likely to fit in perfectly.
The Volvo has a clean, relatively simple look that features a straight front end and a fairly plain crossover tail, which is not very unique as it is also similar to the Polestar, which, depending on the perception, may or may not be considered to be related to Volvo.
While the mossy yellow of the test car is eye-catching, whatever the color, it will be of interest to design enthusiasts because it has too many clever little details; From how pixelated LED lights flip and twist into all sorts of fun patterns, to all sorts of surprising little details, like pictograms in a suitcase that show what can fit in (including robots).
As a family car, it's not bad, but as a four-seater model for adults only, the space is a bit smaller. The front is very practical and has a lot of bits and pieces, including a large open storage area between the seats with its own shallow lid section with two USB-C outlets and two slide-out cup holders on the large center armrest. There's also a wireless phone charging pad at the bottom of the dashboard.
In the rear, passengers can also find themselves a convenient slide-out storage area on the center console, as well as more USB-C ports, comfortable seats, decent headroom (partly due to the large glass roof without roller blinds) and shoulder room. Legroom can be very tight.
Trunk space: 400 litres if you're ready to load your luggage on the roof; If you fit your luggage into the trunk lid, there is 318 litres of space. There is also a small but useful space in the "front trunk".
Overall, the EX30 represents a solid step into the future for Volvo. Some people think that this move may be overemphasized, but overall, it's a good time for an industry that still needs creativity.