Small, Swedish minimalist with a powerful drive

Is the EX30 still a real Volvo or already a Polestar, i.e. a descendant of the tuning forge of the Swedes? Neither will the moose answer this question, even if the smallest of the Volvo series suggests otherwise. Of course, the look is strikingly similar to the Polestar brothers. But under the bodywork, the direct relationship to the Smart #1 becomes abundantly clear. Smart and Volvo both belong to the Chinese giant Geely, both models are based on the same platform: the SEA platform (Sustainable Experience Architecture).

Thor’s hammer glows

Externally, the 4.23 meter long Swede is a minimalist. Extremely clear lines, no frills – everything is subordinate to the lowest possible drag coefficient. This reduced design is also continued inside. As a trademark, Volvo highlights the daytime running lights in “Thor’s Hammer” design.

The minimalism is of course limited to the optics, not to the technology. Since the Volvo Sweden is typically top. An exit warning protects against passing cyclists, the Park Assist Pilot not only finds the gap, but also parks independently – whether parallel, at an angle or at a 90-degree angle.

The safety package is filled with many assistants: from the emergency braking system to the distance cruise control with cornering and overtaking assistant to the lane departure warning system.

The 12.3-inch screen displays the Google-based menu, which recognizes the smartphone as a digital key and opens and closes the EX30.

For next year, Volvo announces a cross-country version of the smallest Swede. The EX30 is already available – from 36,950 euros.

Volvo EX30: The drives

There is a choice of three drive variants with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, which are combined with different battery types.

The entry-level is the 200 kW (272 PS) strong single-motor version: In connection with a 51 kWh strong LFP high-voltage battery, which uses a lithium-iron-phosphate mixture, it offers ranges of up to 344 kilometers.

With the 69 kWh NMC battery made of lithium, nickel, manganese and cobalt, the range in the extended range version increases to 480 kilometers.

The top version is the Twin Motor Performance AWD with all-wheel drive and two electric motors that together produce 315 kW (428 hp). This means that the Volvo EX30 accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds – making it the fastest Volvo of all time. In conjunction with the 69 kWh NMC battery, the maximum range here is 460 kilometers.

Volvo specifies the charging capacity as 11 kW (AC) and 153 kW (DC) for the twin engine.