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Volvo: Safety Beyond the Star Ratings
Reasonably priced and full of Scandinavian swagger, the incoming Volvo EX30 is a small electric-powered SUV set to compete in the burgeoning EV segment.
Sneak Peek: Volvo EX30
Arriving in true Scandinavian style – chic, minimalist, and inarguably cool – the incoming Volvo EX30 is set to underpin the Swedish automaker’s grand electric-powered plans. Volvo uses the word cornerstone to describe the EX30, a small fully-electric SUV set to arrive next summer, as it is expected to drive the automaker toward its stated goal of selling only EVs by 2030. Based on what they’ve revealed so far, this little Swedish SUV looks up to the task.
The EX30 will round out Volvo’s current EV offerings to a total of four including the recently revealed EX90 large SUV, the small XC40 Recharge that we review here, and the C40 carlike EV. With a starting price of around $35,000, the EX30 will land squarely among this list of the most affordable EVs and be offered for sale via traditional ownership, leasing, and Volvo’s monthly subscription plan.
Volvo EX30 Powertrain
As for power, the base Volvo EX30 will feature a single electric motor spinning the rear wheels with 268 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque. There will also be a dual-motor variant churning out 422 hp and 400 torques. In both cases, a 64-kWh battery pack will provide the juice, enough for a 0-60 mph sprint of 3.4 seconds in two-motor setup which will make the EX30 the quickest Volvo ever.
Range is estimated to max out at 275 miles with the single motor EX30 and though the figures have not been shared, that number will likely drop some with two motors fitted. A peak charging rate of 153 kW means that the EX30 can use DC fast charging to fill its battery pack from 10% capacity to 80% in just under 30 minutes per Volvo.
As Volvo CEO Jim Rowan notes in the fun EX30 unboxing video, the Swedish automaker is renowned for its focus on building safe vehicles. That rings true with their EVs as the electrified XC40 makes our list of the safest EVs on the market.
Volvo EX30: Packed with Volvo Safety Tech
With this new model, that reputation is furthered with state-of-the-art restraint technology, the latest in structural design, and new advanced technology like a door opening alert. This latter feature is aimed at urban dwellers – the target EX30 demographic – by helping them avoid “dooring” accidents with cyclists while getting out of the car.
Other new systems include a driver alert system that monitors for fatigue and a new generation of Park Pilot Assist. This self-parking system will be able to operate the throttle, braking, and steering for all manner of parking spaces like parallel, perpendicular, curved, and “fishbone” shapes. This will be part of a driver-aid suite that includes forward collision mitigation, a surround-view monitor, and the semi-autonomous Pilot Assist self-driving tech.
Volvo EX30: Lush Interior, Smart Infotainment
The EX30 cabin experience looks to be a full immersion in that wonderfully serene Swedish lifestyle. Sustainably sourced materials include upcycled denim fiber inlays and patterned knit wool upholstery. Buyers will have a choice of four distinct interior “rooms” like Breeze and Pine that pair with Archipelago and Midsummer ambient themes to name a few. Along with a relevant soundscape, the lighting subtly shifts to “enhance well-being and let you escape”.
Volvo will fit the EX30 with the latest Google-based infotainment interface that consists of a single 12.3-inch central touchscreen controlling nearly all vehicle systems. Wireless Apple CarPlay will be included along with wireless charging, four USB ports, digital key functionality, and a new riff on audio systems. Rather than spread stereo components around the cabin, the Volvo EX30 will feature a single sound bar running the width of the dashboard along the windshield.
This design assists with the minimalist vibe and frees up space for storage, particularly in the door panels. Other storage highlights include a glovebox that has been relocated below the center stack. It benefits from the flat floor to offer ample room as does the cargo hold. With the back seats raised, space measures 14 cubic feet or 30 cubic feet with that seat folded.
The Volvo EX30: Coming out in Summer 2024
Overall, the Volvo EX30 looks ready to make waves in the burgeoning electric-powered market. And it will need to as Volvo is up against the likes of Kia and Tesla as we note in this comparison. Currently, US customers can place pre-orders for the EX30 with refundable $500 deposits. Pricing for the dual-motor variant and specific trim lines has not yet been announced but will be soon as deliveries are expected to start in the summer of 2024.
