- The 2025 Volvo EX30 emerges as the brand’s smallest electric SUV, sitting below the size and price of the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge.
- Starting at $36,145, the 268-hp rear-drive EX30 has a claimed range of 275 miles; a punchier, albeit more expensive, 422-hp all-wheel-drive model is also available.
- The interior of the EX30 features a 12.3-inch single touch screen, various recycled materials and a full-width sound bar on the dashboard.
Chevy calls the Bolt EV an SUV when most people with two working eyes see it as a high-riding hatchback. However, the Bolt will be under six feet after this year, and there aren’t many small, affordable electric hatches—er—SUVs for Americans to choose from. That’s why the 2025 Volvo EX30 is so refreshing.
The Smallest Volvo
The EX30, which measures 166.7 inches long and 61.1 inches tall, is a few inches longer and a few inches shorter than the regular Bolt. The EX30 is also smaller and cheaper than the all-electric Volvo XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge, both of which occupy the subcompact end of the SUV spectrum. Riding on a short wheelbase of 104.3 inches, the EX30 has 6.5 inches of ground clearance. It’s also rated to tow 2000 pounds (the same as the Recharge twins).
The Swedish automaker can market its smallest model however it likes, as the EX30 exemplifies the EV ethos better than any other electric model currently on sale on our shores. It’s the opposite of four-ton-plus behemoths like the GMC Hummer EV SUV and the growing number of electric pickup trucks. A smaller vehicle obviously requires less material to make, but Volvo took extra steps to make the EX30 sustainable.
Simple to Sustainable
Along with using more recycled and renewable materials, Volvo says it has streamlined the manufacturing process by increasing the number of stamped body parts. The company also works with suppliers that share its climate-neutral mission, with the majority of them said to be committed to using 100 percent renewable energy by 2025. Volvo also uses blockchain technology to track critical raw materials used to make its batteries.
The EX30 will begin production in China, at a plant it says will be powered primarily by climate-neutral energy, but a company spokesman declined to say whether it will eventually be built at Volvo’s South Carolina plant, as is planned for the larger, three-row EX90. As a result, it remains to be seen whether the EX30 will qualify for federal EV tax credits under the new guidelines.
Inside the EX30 is where one can see how Volvo is simplifying things for the sake of sustainability. Instead of scattering stereo speakers across both the doors and dashboard like most cars, the EX30 comes standard with a full-width sound bar mounted at the bottom of the windshield. Containing seven speakers, it frees up space for more storage space in the door panels and reduces the amount of wiring. Of course, the sound system can be further upgraded with optional Harman/Kardon equipment.
Minimalist doesn’t mean plain, boring and questionably put together in the EX30 as it does in the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. Instead, it channels Volvo’s stylish cabin, with interesting upholstery options, from wool-blend fabrics to recycled denim. It also has attractive trim pieces on the dash and doors accented by adjustable ambient lighting.
The center console has plenty of storage space, and it has retractable cup holders and other versatile bins for front and rear seat passengers. There’s also a glove box mounted under the center stack with plenty of room thanks to the flat load floor. For large items, the EX30 offers 14 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 32 cubes with the row stowed.
Like Teslas, the EX30 has a single center-mounted display where all critical driving information as well as vehicle settings and other infotainment options are controlled. The vertically oriented 12.3-inch touchscreen runs the latest version of Google’s Android operating system. The big news is that it finally includes wireless Apple CarPlay. A Volvo spokesperson said wireless Android Auto is not included because the native system works with that functionality.
Empowered
The EX30 is built on the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) electric platform developed by Geely, Volvo’s parent company in China. The small ute is offered with two powertrains. There is a single-motor rear-wheel drive configuration that generates 268 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. The dual-motor all-wheel drive variant delivers a combined 422 horses and 400 pound-feet. Volvo claims that’s enough punch to launch the EX30 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds.
Each EX30 has a 64.0-kWh battery pack. Volvo estimates a full charge will send the single-motor model 275 miles, while the additional motor is expected to shave 10 miles off that figure. No range rating has yet been confirmed by the EPA. With a peak charging rate of 153 kW, Volvo claims it takes about 27 minutes to charge the EX30’s battery from 10 to 80 percent when plugged into a DC fast charger.
On the road, the EX30 continues to promote Volvo’s safety-conscious image. It comes with all the usual driver assistance tech, but it also features warnings to help prevent opening the door to oncoming cyclists and the like. There’s also a new driver attention monitor, which is said to be better at recognizing if the driver is drowsy or distracted. For those who struggle with parking, the EX30 also marks the debut of Volvo’s latest-generation automatic Park Pilot Assist feature. It can basically identify and implement more parking scenarios, such as curved and diagonal herringbone style spots.
EX30 Cross Country Coming
Volvo will finally offer an EV with the Cross Country treatment on the outside. Although production is not scheduled to begin until late 2024, the EX30 Cross Country will have the same features as its predecessor. That includes higher ground clearance and tough-looking exterior bits. Along with the 19-inch black tires, a set of 18-inchers with different tires—probably thicker—will be available. Black panels on the front bumper and rear doors and a Swedish flag on the hood will be other details.
The US version of the 2025 Volvo EX30 is now available for pre-order. Prices start at $36,145 for the entry-level Core trim with a single motor. While the company has confirmed that a mid-level Plus and a loaded Ultimate will round out the lineup, it hasn’t released pricing yet. That will happen before the US model starts hitting dealerships next summer.
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Senior Editor
Eric Stafford’s car addiction started before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up is to become a millionaire with a car collection like Jay Leno. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social media influencers say, so he eschews financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hire him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28 manual, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si.