2024 Volvo EX30 Ultra

Volvo have pulled one out of the hat with the EX30. It is breathtakingly fast, pleasantly stylish and genuinely fun to drive.

Initially, EX30 Ultra was not on our radar. We had been distracted by a plethora of car launches and other new brands clamouring for attention. But then the EX30 pulled up, and we were happy to see it.

Compact crossover SUVs are a funny thing. They are an inbetweener ­- sandwiched between small hatchbacks and medium SUVs. It’s a category of vehicles we didn’t know we needed.

But, like it or not, they’re here and the segment is thriving. Toyota Yaris Cross is a popular compact crossover, with current demand outstripping supply. The VW T-Cross and Kia Niro have also made a solid impact within the category. As it turns out, the formula works: economical mini-SUVs with style and practicality plus increased visibility from an elevated driving position.

The EX30 fits comfortably into this segment. The one we tested was the top of the line Ultra model, otherwise known as the Twin Motor Performance. Volvo claims this is the smallest and fastest SUV they have ever made. 0-100km time is 3.6 seconds, making it the second fastest EV in New Zealand (under $100k), behind the Tesla 3 Performance at 3.1 sec.

Volvo’s design language has always been about understated simplicity and sustainability. ‘Less is better’ is the mantra that underpins their EV design philosophy. The EX30 exterior has enough boxy elegance to sustain their DNA, a blueprint equally noticeable in their sister brand Polestar.

The brands famous ‘safety belt’ logo is prominent on the grill-less front. Length is 4.2m, making it slightly shorter than a Corolla hatchback. T-shaped headlights and vertical bar style taillights provide a mini light show when the proximity key is detected.

Everything is keyless: no start/stop button, doors auto-lock on exit, even the sound system persists as you wander off. All of this can be disconcerting the first few times; I found myself shoulder checking to make sure the proximity key did its job. But it did. There are also options for those who prefer a tactile locking experience, placing the key fob onto a door sensor.

The interior of the EX30 is utterly minimalist. Volvo has dispatched with instrument clusters and there are a few basic controls on the steering wheel, otherwise the centre-mounted 12.3” display is where you go for everything. Things like vehicle speed, direction indicators, air conditioning and mirror adjustment are all accessible via the infotainment system.

The driver alert warning continuously observes your behaviour, meaning any prolonged gazes will elicit a warning to return eyes front and centre. I was even cautioned for yawning. It’s somewhat counterintuitive as you need continually glance down to observe screen functions and notifications. All of this had us asking an obvious question: why no heads-up display?

The EX30 marketing material states ‘some things are better in fours, like Swedish pop bands’ alluding to the country’s patriotic success story, ABBA. But unlike that retro quartet, it suggests other things designed in fours are overdue for an overhaul ­– such as the traditional speaker set up in most cars.

Volvo’s version of in-car acoustics is a 1040-watt Harman Kardon soundbar that stretches the entire length of the dashboard. Supporting the soundbar are two rear door speakers, plus a subwoofer in the boot. If my basic math skills are functioning, this adds up to… four speakers. But I’m being pedantic. The point of Volvo’s excitement is that giant soundbars are here to disrupt the car audio experience.

And disrupt it did. The soundbar is incredible. Music was crisp, immersive, with a rich bass that will bring a smile to your ears. The EX30 uses a Google user interface, meaning you can log in to popular apps such as Google or Spotify, eliminating the need to project your phone through Apple Carplay or Android Auto (although these are available as well). The system worked flawlessly, the only problem I had was handing the car back and returning to the conventional audio of my daily drive.

Driving was equally enjoyable. Steering has three settings that adjust resistance and feel. The firm setting was suitably direct and compliant around the city.  The ride quality is excellent, especially in the model we tested which allows switching between rear-wheel drive and AWD. The EX30 is deceptively heavy for a small car, nearly two tonnes, but the weight is suitably balanced to provide comfortable and stable dynamics.

There is no adjustable regenerative braking, but one-pedal driving is selectable. This tends to be on the strong side, which means you compensate throttle adjustment as the car slows. Like most EVs, it’s an idiosyncrasy that takes a day or two to get used to before it becomes second nature.

Pricing for EX30 models:

Warranty: Three-year unlimited km, plus eight year or 160,000km on the battery.

Safety: Five Star VSRR Safety Rating https://rightcar.govt.nz/detail?q=g63696

The Verdict:

Scandinavian inspired minimalism meets eco-friendly innovation meets breathtaking performance.  

Oh, and did we mention the soundbar?

Article by Avon Bailey