The Volvo EX30 Cross Nation treads a well known path for the Swedish model.
Including some rough-and-tumble design cues to make a boxy Volvo look extra off-roady has been a well-liked strategy over the many years, and now it has entered a brand new period.
This totally electrical compact crossover electrical automobile (EV) has all-wheel drive, and there have been some respectable modifications made to assist it appear extra rugged and adventurous.
It takes the place of the previous top-spec hi-po dual-motor variant, with the identical large outputs. And I’ve an issue with that. I’ll clarify why on this overview.
How a lot does the Volvo EX30 price?
The Volvo EX30 Cross Nation is the brand new flagship grade of the all-electric compact SUV mannequin line, with the prevailing dual-motor efficiency variant shuffled away to make room for this powerful cookie.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2026 Volvo EX30 Single Motor Prolonged Vary Plus | $59,990 |
| 2026 Volvo EX30 Single Motor Prolonged Vary Extremely | $66,290 |
| 2026 Volvo EX30 Cross Nation | $69,990 |
You’re taking a look at about $78,000 parked in your driveway, then. However no less than it’s cheaper than the earlier Extremely Efficiency flagship, which arguably wasn’t as likeable as this one, and topped the vary at $71,290 plus on-roads (about $80,500 drive-away).
However there are heaps of various decisions you possibly can make should you’re contemplating a compact electrical SUV with all-wheel drive, a lot of that are bigger, extra spacious, and extra sensible.
To see how the Volvo EX30 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
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What’s the Volvo EX30 like on the within?
It appears to me that the mindset behind the inside of this automotive is to make use of recycled supplies to create an atmosphere that’s premium, comfy and intelligent. And for probably the most half, it’s a job nicely carried out – in that it’s the standard minimalist trendy Volvo.
However it is usually a really pleasant cabin, no less than within the entrance.
Some individuals may not essentially be enamoured by the recycled materials ending on the dashboard and elsewhere, and the ‘Nordico’ seat trim – which partly feels a bit like wetsuit materials – can be to not everybody’s liking.
However the denim inserts on the seats and door playing cards actually break issues up properly. And should you favor, there’s a (no price) elective inexperienced end with wool mix inserts as a substitute.
There’s electrical seat adjustment and lumbar regulate, and seat heating too, however no air flow for these ones, sadly.
And the way’s this: each occupants get vainness mirrors, however they aren’t illuminated – which is a bit cheapo.
And in entrance of the driving force there isn’t a digital instrument cluster, and also you don’t even get a head-up show for $70,000.
As a substitute, you simply have the central pill display screen along with your speedometer within the prime right-hand nook. It’s nonetheless a look away from the street to see your pace.
That display screen is the management centre of all the pieces that you just may need to use on this automotive, and for probably the most half it is vitally usable and really user-friendly.
You’ll study it inside simply a few days (as I did), however the issues you will want to concentrate to incorporate the aspect mirrors which can be adjusted utilizing that display screen (and steering wheel controls), and it’s important to open the central glovebox with the display screen, too.
There are additionally some welcome fast switches to show off a number of the security methods, as nicely – extra on that within the driving part.
There are screens for automotive standing, settings changes, and battery standing and charging parameters as nicely, after which there are settings you could bounce via to configure issues the way you’d like them to be.
There may be Google tech constructed into this automotive to can help you shortly get used to the usability of the media system. Meaning Google Maps, and there’s additionally the Google Assistant function, and the Play Retailer to obtain apps from.
In any other case you have got wi-fi Apple CarPlay obtainable as nicely, and that makes a pleasant contact as a result of it didn’t used to have that.
On the steering wheel there are a variety of different controls together with your cruise system, and each quantity and media changes, plus a voice management toggle. You’ll have to use the column-mounted gear selector to interact cruise management within the first occasion. It’s an extended press right down to get it to come back on, then you definately use the steering wheel changes to vary pace, distance and mode.
There are large door pockets with numerous house for bottles and free gadgets (they usually’re lined, so stuff received’t rattle round an excessive amount of). However one factor that older consumers or mobility-impaired prospects may not love is the dearth of a correct pull-handle for the door.
Between the seats you’ll discover a wi-fi telephone charging dock, and a further house the place you possibly can holster an additional telephone, and under there’s an openable part with USB ports, plus house to can help you retailer some hidden gadgets if you want to.
Between the seats you will see that an extendable and hideable cupholder shelf with two cupholders, or you possibly can push it again for it to be a single cupholder should you don’t want each in play. Or none. You resolve.
What meaning, nevertheless, is that you just don’t have any openable centre console house between the seats, which might be a difficulty.
The electrical window switches are additionally in between the entrance seats, and it’s important to press the ‘Rear’ button if you wish to wind down these again home windows.
As for the again seat, should you think about your self ‘small’ you may match. Anybody else? Order an Uber.
That’s as a result of this automotive could be very small on the surface, and has a really tight again seat.
At 6’0” or 182cm tall, I solely simply managed to squeeze myself in behind my very own driving place – my knees have been caught laborious towards the seat forward, and toe room was very tight as nicely. Headroom for somebody my measurement was okay however not terrific, and also you don’t get seize handles for anybody on this automotive, which can be an issue – once more, notably for the mobility impaired.
You do get ceiling lights and an area that you possibly can hook up a security web to retailer bigger gadgets if you want to (with the rear seats down), however total the back-seat expertise is just not nice.
You don’t get directional air vents, and neither is there a drop-down armrest with cupholders both. There are pocket sleeves within the doorways, with the identical good denim ending too, but it surely isn’t a really spacious or comfy place to be.
One factor that may really be a turn-off for folks and children is the dearth of a canopy for the glass roof – you possibly can in all probability discover one as an aftermarket accent, however my daughter (within the again) and I (up entrance) have been each sad on a number of the journeys we did on this automotive on a heat, sunny afternoon.
Boot house is respectable for a automotive of this measurement. There may be an adjustable ground part so you possibly can decrease it down if you want to, but it surely is determined by the way you configure another components. There are some respectable facilities in that boot space, together with a lightweight and hooks.
And whereas there isn’t a spare, it’s a fairly sensible house for a automobile of this measurement, with 318 litres of capability.
You get a Mode 2 charging cable and tyre restore package that might want to go someplace, if not below the boot ground then perhaps within the seven-litre frunk below the bonnet.
| Dimensions | Volvo EX30 Cross Nation |
|---|---|
| Size | 4233mm |
| Width | 1567mm |
| Peak | 1850mm |
| Wheelbase | 2650mm |
| Cargo capability | 318L (behind rear seats) 1000L (behind entrance seats) |
To see how the Volvo EX30 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
What’s below the bonnet?
The carryover performance-oriented powertrain is discovered utilized to the brand new top-spec Cross Nation model.
| Specs | Volvo EX30 Cross Nation |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Twin-motor electrical |
| Battery | 69kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) |
| Energy | 315kW |
| Torque | 543Nm |
| Drive sort | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1910kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 3.7 seconds |
| Vitality consumption (claimed) | 19.1kWh/100km |
| Vitality consumption (as examined) | 20.5kWh/100km |
| Claimed vary | 417km |
| Max AC cost charge | 11kW |
| Max DC cost charge | 135kW |
Why on Earth does a small crossover EV like this must have that a lot grunt and the flexibility to go that quick?
It’s not a efficiency mannequin. It’s speculated to be extra of a soft-roader, with a premium expertise. Not a rollercoaster journey.
The actual motive I’m not that impressed with the large outputs is that, in idea, the motors might have been detuned to supply nonetheless robust outputs (say 220kW/400Nm) and a drop in acceleration efficiency (perhaps 6.0 seconds to 100km/h), which might – theoretically – enhance the effectivity. Which is required.
As a result of whereas the vitality consumption declare is nineteen.1kWh per 100km, I noticed a real-world return of 20.5kWh per 100km, that means a real-world driving vary nearer to 360km, not 427km.
It’s not a heavy EV, however its vitality use is. For a little bit of context, I’ve pushed dual-motor AWD EVs from Kia, Hyundai, Tesla, Zeekr and others with much less energy and torque however nonetheless robust acceleration, and seen extra like 18.0kWh per 100km…
To see how the Volvo EX30 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
How does the Volvo EX30 drive?
TOO MUCH POWER.
I stand by it.
I feel that is overpowered for the type of automobile that it’s attempting to be, and the type of buyer it’s going to attraction to.
I get it – EVs permit easy efficiency, on the spot torque, and large acceleration. And within the hatchback predecessor that was known as the Efficiency Extremely, that made sense.
However I’ve pushed a couple of Cross Nation fashions from Volvo through the years, and usually they’ve been highly effective sufficient and quick sufficient… however not silly-fast like this one.
The facility development and the administration of the tempo is comparatively high-quality, however if you’re an uninitiated EV driver, there’s a good probability you’ll shortly jab the throttle pedal in visitors and find yourself manner additional alongside than you have been anticipating to be.
Even in probably the most sedate drive mode – Vary, which prioritises rear-wheel driveability and fewer of an ‘acceleration’ strategy – the throttle pedal is extraordinarily delicate, and you will see that should you shortly hit the ‘fuel’ it should reply with pointless eagerness.
In Efficiency mode it’s insane. Critically, you actually must be aware of the throttle response and the urgency that this automotive will reply with.
The opposite pedal? Effectively, you should use it if you’d like, however in any other case there’s a Single Pedal driving mode that makes use of the regen braking to virtually cease the automotive for you with out brake pedal intervention.
The Excessive setting is assertive, Low is a good middle-ground, and when the Single Pedal mode is off, it’s free-wheeling like a combustion-powered automotive.
Past the powertrain, the EX30 is a stunning little factor.
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The steering is pleasant, and since it’s a rear-biased setup (particularly in Vary mode) it has a pleasant stability to the best way that it handles itself in corners as nicely. In Efficiency mode it is going to be all-wheel drive, and you should have the additional traction that you will have.
The steering is extraordinarily responsive and has an honest quantity of weighting, too.
And with the 12mm raised suspension and higher-profile tyres on smaller wheels (19s, with Goodyear EfficientGrip 235/50 R19 rubber) the entire improve in peak is 19mm, that means a bit extra clearance over bumps and lumps. There may be additionally an 18-inch wheel and tyre bundle with extra aggressive off-road-inspired tyres, however that’ll be unhealthy on your effectivity.
Nonetheless, the earlier Efficiency Extremely flagship was extensively criticised for its sharp and uncomfortable journey, whereas this instance is significantly extra comfy in a mixture of conditions. It nonetheless feels stiff due to the battery weight being under the ground and plenty of structural strengthening, but it surely doesn’t buck about over sharp metropolis bumps, and recovers nicely at increased speeds, too.
The driving expertise here’s a very optimistic one, and made even higher by the very fact there are easy controls to show off a number of the security methods should you don’t need them on.
Simply faucet the automotive icon on the backside of the display screen and also you’ll be capable to shortly flip off the driving force monitoring digicam should you don’t need that on (it’s not too annoying should you do go away it on), and likewise the lane-keeping know-how will be disabled there too.
Past that you just do have the flexibility to make use of adaptive cruise management with cease, begin and steer (Pilot Help) functionality, and likewise a pace signal adaptation if you’d like it, however personally I discovered myself not essentially partaking that know-how. It’s not my favorite.
To see how the Volvo EX30 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
What do you get?
Select the EX30 Cross Nation and also you get the overhauled look bundle and tools, along with a complete host of different nice tech and spec.
2026 Volvo EX30 Cross Nation tools highlights:
- 19-inch alloy wheels with higher-profile summer season tyres
- Entrance and rear skidplates
- Darkish colored entrance and rear physique panelling
- Darkish wheel-arch extensions
- Raised suspension
- Twin-motor AWD
Different normal tools:
- Two-tone distinction roof
- Fastened panoramic glass roof, no cowl
- LED headlights and tail-lights
- 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google inbuilt
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
- Over-the-air software program updates
- Digital key (Bluetooth telephone unlocking)
- Wi-fi smartphone charging
- Harman Kardon stereo with entrance soundbar
- Energy tailgate
- Auto-dimming aspect mirrors
- 360-degree digicam
- Semi-autonomous parking help
- Energy-adjustable entrance seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Warmth pump
- Twin zone local weather
- Denim trim
- Rear privateness glass (tinted home windows)
Stuff that’s lacking? There’s no head-up show, you don’t get a canopy for the glass roof, the entrance seats aren’t ventilated, and there aren’t any rear air vents.
To see how the Volvo EX30 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
Is the Volvo EX30 protected?
The Volvo EX30 achieved the utmost five-star ANCAP ranking in 2024, and that rating applies to all variants.
| Class | Volvo EX30 |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 88 per cent |
| Little one occupant safety | 85 per cent |
| Susceptible street consumer safety | 79 per cent |
| Security help | 80 per cent |
Normal security options embrace:
- Autonomous emergency braking with detection for:
- Pedestrian
- Bike owner
- Motorbike
- Intersection help
- Lane-keep help
- Lane centring help
- Pilot Help semi-autonomous driving system
- Adaptive cruise management
- Blind-spot monitoring together with steering and braking intervention
- Entrance cross-traffic alert with braking
- Rear cross-traffic alert with braking
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Door exit warning
- Driver monitoring digicam system
- Encompass-view digicam system
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Semi-autonomous parking
It has seven airbags fitted – twin entrance, entrance centre, entrance aspect, and full-length curtain protection.
To see how the Volvo EX30 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
How a lot does the Volvo EX30 price to run?
Select this EV and also you get some large possession advantages. There’s a normal five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, and the battery pack is roofed by an eight-year, 160,000km guarantee – which is the category normal.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Volvo EX30 |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 24 months or 30,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | Free for five years |
There may be additionally 5 years of roadside help included with the automotive, which might switch to a brand new proprietor, too.
And the servicing could be very thoughtful, with intervals set at each 24 months/30,000km. Plus there’s a servicing program that spans a large 5 years/150,000km, so should you do plenty of kays, it’ll be interesting. Better of all, it received’t price you a cent to service the automotive for the primary 5 years/150,000km.
Volvo Automobile Australia even provides “put on & tear protection” that means consumables just like the automotive’s air filter, tyre restore package sealant, brake discs and brake pads, windscreen cleansing system, and software program updates are all lined at no further price. Wow!
And for what it’s price, I had somebody ask me the place it’s made, and the reply is China.
To see how the Volvo EX30 traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
CarExpert’s Tackle the Volvo EX30
There’s definitely rather a lot going for the Volvo EX30 Cross Nation.
The looks bundle, the inside ending, and the comfy drive expertise are all huge ticks. In the meantime, the aftersales provisions might be the most important tick of all.
However as I stated, you’ll actually need to get used to the quantity of energy and the way it’s utilized, as a result of this automotive is likely to be a little bit of a handful for these anticipating the ‘previous’ Cross Nation strategy from the Swedish model.
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