Volvo EX30

Emphasising sustainability, the Volvo EX30 comes with artificial leather upholstery made of recyclable materials and man-made leather. The minimalist and elegant-looking dashboard has new-age elements like a 12.3-inch portrait-styled touchscreen infotainment system covering the centre console, a rectangular full-TFT instrument console, and a dual-surfaced two-spoke multi-functional steering wheel. 

While the fixed panoramic sunroof makes the cabin feel airy, the Volvo EX30 has space constraints on the inside due to compact dimensions. The EX30 does have an impressive boot compartment, though, which measures 318 litres and can be expanded up to 900 litres after folding the rear seats. The other prominent features of the Volvo EX30 are a powered tailgate, a wireless charger, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear AC vents, a 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and powered front seats. 

The Volvo EX30 has a proper crossover stance with lowered ground clearance and roofline, featuring an all-new design language inspired by Polestar's new-generation cars. Compact in dimensions, it has horizontally laid T-shaped pixelated LED headlamps and Thor’s hammer-inspired LED DRLs at the front. 

Having a clamshell bonnet and rounded wheel arches with 19-inch aero alloy wheels beneath them, the Volvo EX30 has a widened look for the rear fender, with the crossover having broad C-pillars. Even the tailgate has a wide design, with segmented LED lights on the sides of the rear windscreen and rectangular tail lamps on the sides of the boot lid with LED inserts in them.

Sharing its suspension setup with the XC40 Recharge, the Volvo EX30 also has MacPherson suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar at the front and 5-link suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar at the rear. Given that it is a low-slung crossover with lowered ground clearance, the Volvo EX30 holds its grounds firmer with minimal body roll, resulting in impressive high-speed driving manners.

The Plus and Ultra variants of the Volvo EX30 come with a rear-mounted 200kW electric motor, which generates 272 bhp and 343 Nm. On the other hand, the range-topping Ultra Twin Performance has an all-wheel drive configuration with a dual-motor setup, which claims 428 bhp of maximum power and 543 Nm of maximum torque. 

While the Plus and Ultra variants can do the 0-100 kmph run in 5.3 seconds, the Ultra Twin Performance can do the same in 3.6 seconds. The top speed of both the variants is the same at 180 kmph, with both also having the same 69kWh battery that claims a 476 km range in the Plus and Ultra variants and 450 km range in the Ultra Twin Performance variant (both NEDC-certified).

The comprehensive suite of ADAS features offered in the Volvo EX30 as standard includes adaptive cruise control, run-off road mitigation, post-impact braking, pilot assist, speed limiter, lane departure warning, door opening alert, low-speed auto brake, collision avoidance mitigation, lane keeping aid, pedestrian, cyclist and scooter steering avoidance, rear collision warning, driver alert system, rear cross-traffic alert with auto brake, oncoming lane mitigation, front cross-traffic alert, blind sport information system, park pilot assist and traffic jam assist.

The Volvo EX30 also comes equipped with six airbags, ABS with EBD, hill start assist, front, and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree parking camera, and electronic stability control. 

With its compact dimensions and relatively affordable pricing compared to other compact electric luxury offerings, the Volvo EX30 comes across as an interesting product for beginners who are new to this segment. The EX30 feels compromised on space levels, given its compact dimensions, but feels every bit a luxury vehicle with well-sorted powertrains and mechanicals, a well-appointed interior, and an eye-catching design that looks premium to the eyes.