Volvo EX30 Review: A Different Kind Of Entry-Level

At first, it’s easy to think of the Volvo EX30 as a car similar to the EX40 (formally known as the XC40 Recharge) but smaller. However, it doesn’t take long to see there’s a lot that’s new here. There are portions that will intrigue and annoy at the same time, but the end result is certainly an experience with a difference. 

Looks

The shape is unusual. It’s somehow boxy and curvy at the same time. Its styling stands out easily but that’s especially true if you were to get it in a brighter colour. In fact, we got to see it in a bright shade of yellow that, oddly, Volvo India teased us with but isn’t offering here in India. Instead, you have the corporate-friendly collection of white, grey, beige, black and a sky blue - pretty but they don’t unlock the shock-and-awe this design is capable of.

The Thor’s Hammer DRLs are now grid-patterned, the tail lights fit into the rear end like a brace and the 19-inch wheels get a piano black finish at the centre that, from some angles, make the outer metallic-finish edges look like they’re floating.

There are some odd quirks too. The wing mirrors are fully-movable i.e. the mirrors don’t adjust independently from the mirror covers. And the button to open the powered tailgate is hidden so well (it’s just above the ‘L’ in the rear badging) that mall security will likely look like a mime as they try and feel for where the button may be. 

Also, there’s no physical key. You use an NFC key-card or a phone-integrated digital key. While these are convenient, there are limitations. No key means valets have nothing to tie your car’s details to when you pop-over to your choicest 5-star hotel (it does come with a case if you’d like). And the NFC key card only works on the driver’s door.

Boot Space

The car on our drive didn’t have the space-saver spare tyre that Volvo says customer cars will get. At 318-400 litres (measured to the backrest-roof), there’s enough space for 3-4 cabin-sized trolley bags and some backpacks or one large suitcase. The boot floor level is adjustable too and the seats do split and fold ahead. Of course, if Volvo plonks a big spare tyre atop the boot floor, the space is rendered more or less inconsequential, save for some small bags. 

Cabin Space & Quality

I don’t expect anyone to buy the EX30 for its back seat. The front seats are comfortable enough, even for those of a heavier build and who stretch around or above 6ft in height. Sure, there’s space for average-sized adults in the rear but the under thigh support here is weak. No rear AC vents either and in Jaipur’s sweltering heat, this did prove to be a challenge. The fixed panoramic glass roof is, of course, heat-insulated but there’s no sunshade. Aside from the obvious visual sun exposure it’s also an opportunity for pigeons to run a Rorschach test on you. Volvo does offer a manually-installed foldable sunshade as an accessory overseas but a powered sunshade would’ve just made so much more sense.

The interior quality is good but not in your typical German car manner where you have several metallic or wood-like inserts to give you premium touch points. Instead, you get a blend of recycled/recyclable materials that aren’t usual to the touch. There’s an insert in the dashboard and the door pads that almost has a granite like touch and feel to it. And the design itself is Tesla-like in its minimalist approach.

Features

The EX30’s power window controls (front and rear) and door locks are centre console-integrated and there’s nothing on the doors. Even the powered front seats have a single squared-dial that controls all the functions including lumbar-adjustment (lumbar-adjustment on the driver’s seat only). 

There’s no instrument cluster - just a steering-column mounted scanner that monitors the driver’s movements for attention-assist. Everything else in the car is managed through the 12.3-touchscreen, including the dual-zone climate control, mirror and light settings. Even the gear selector and speedometer are on this central screen only. 

The touchscreen comes with Google Maps, YouTube and the PlayStore on board so Android Auto isn’t offered separately. But you do have Apple CarPlay as well. Interestingly the front doors don’t have speakers with a large sound-bar integrated near the front windshield instead - part of the 9-speaker Harman Kardon sound system which offers good sound quality.

Aside from the wireless phone charger, there are type-C chargers in the front and rear.

Safety

Unsurprisingly, the EX30 gets a 5-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating. 

Safety Features

Storage

There are some notable quirks to the storage spaces. The front central storage has adjustable flaps and the central storage console runs right through to the rear. Rear passengers get a removable tray here too. The glovebox opens via the touchscreen only and is located in the middle instead of on the front passenger’s side. And even the cupholders are hidden away under the front armrest in a solid pop-out tray. We didn’t think storage spaces could be a conversation piece but in the EX30, they are!

Drive And Ride Quality

In India, the EX30 is offered with rear-wheel drive only with a motor good for 272PS/343Nm. That’s enough to get it from 0-100kmph in 5.3 seconds. The 69kWh battery pack (NMC) has a WLTP-rated range of 480km, so 400-450km in the real world isn’t far-fetched to expect. 

The EX30 is quick and calm and there’s no witchcraft needed to unlock the Jekyll and Hyde within. No range of drive modes to choose from and regenerative braking’s limited to the one-pedal mode too. This can be an exciting car because of how it can accelerate but it’s equally enjoyable to drive peacefully within city confines.

The ride quality is notably on the firmer side but not jarringly so. It’s typical German car fare but while the design may say SUV, the experience in terms of high speed stability, ride quality and ground clearance is closer to a sedan. 

Verdict

Entry-level luxury cars are often a hard sell because their value-propositions are rarely strong enough to justify the price. The EX30 is assembled in India itself with prices expected in September 2025 and deliveries a month later. We expect a price of around Rs 42-44 lakh (ex-showroom) at which price it makes for a great self-driven compact luxury car that’s quick, quirky and quite Swedish in how it makes you feel special.