Volvo EX30 Review: The Swedish Minimalist’s Dilemma
An extended weekend with the Volvo EX30 revealed something intriguing: thoughtful engineering can be quietly brilliant. But it can also be predictably Scandinavian.
The EX30 may be the brand’s smallest SUV yet, but it carries some of the biggest expectations. This isn’t just another addition to the line-up – it’s the first Volvo to be built on a dedicated EV platform, not adapted from a combustion model. It’s also the most affordable Volvo SUV globally, designed to bring more buyers into the fold. And for a company aiming to go fully electric by 2030, the EX30 shows exactly what that future looks like.
In a market like India, the timing couldn’t be more relevant. Compact dimensions, a clean and modern design, sustainable interiors, and Volvo’s signature focus on safety – the EX30 is packaged for urban buyers who want a premium EV without going overboard. It’s a car with a mission: to be approachable, practical, and future-facing, all while staying true to Volvo’s values.
Launching later in September 2025, we got a chance to spend close to a week with Sweden’s compact electric ambassador, and were struck by how this compact EV manages to feel both thoroughly modern and reassuringly familiar. It’s a Scandinavian masterclass in intentionality that impressed us with its competence and made us rethink what “premium” can mean in a compact EV, but also left us wanting a little more.
Design: Less is more, but is it too less?
From the outside, the EX30 looks exactly like what you’d expect from Volvo. It’s compact with tight proportions, but its short overhangs and relatively wide track give it a planted stance. The upright nose, sculpted bonnet, and signature Thor’s Hammer LED headlamps instantly mark it as a Volvo, even before you see the badge. We especially love the side profile of the EX30, with its slightly squared-off wheel arches that lend it just enough SUV character without looking overly rugged. The clean design is rounded off with a new take on Volvo’s familiar vertical tail-lamp treatment, now sharpened into a split design, giving the EX30 a contemporary and edgy look. Overall, the EX30’s design doesn’t try to grab attention in traffic, and that’s part of its charm. But if you park it next to a Kia EV6 or a BMW iX1, its restraint can come across as underwhelming to some.
The Tech: Hyper-minimalism?
Step inside, and the EX30 goes all-in on Scandinavian restraint. A single 12.3-inch central touchscreen with a revised interface dominates the cabin. The Google-based infotainment is smooth to use, with native Maps, Assistant, and Play Store. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are present, though CarPlay occasionally felt moody and inconsistent during our time with the car. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it doesn’t match the fuss-free reliability we’ve come to expect from Volvo.
However, Volvo’s move to make the infotainment the hub for everything in the cabin – navigation, HVAC, range, and even speed readouts – is an unfortunate choice. There’s no driver’s display behind the steering wheel, no head-up display either, and the reliance on a single centrally-placed screen disrupts the driver’s flow while driving. The look is clean, but the constant need to glance sideways more often than you’d like makes for a steep learning curve.
Inside the cabin, Volvo’s sustainability angle is strongly visible. There’s no leather anywhere. Instead, recycled fabrics, reclaimed plastics, and renewable trims are used throughout. And the good news is that they don’t feel like cost-cutting, they feel intentional, and add a modern character to the cabin.
The standout detail is the Harman Kardon sound bar stretching across the dash. It replaces traditional door speakers, freeing up space and giving the cabin a neat, uncluttered vibe. Sound quality is crisp and immersive, although not at par with Volvo’s more premium Bowers and Wilkins setup. Other thoughtful touches include a central glovebox, a sliding centre console with tonnes of storage, and a massive panoramic glass roof, although the cost saving move to retain one set of window switches for both the front and the back is disappointing to say the least.
The Good: Engineering Excellence Without Apology
Volvo has always been good at getting the fundamentals right, and the EX30 continues that trend. Even though it’s the most compact SUV in the range, it doesn’t feel overly cramped inside. The packaging is clever: a high roofline, flat floor, smart storage solutions, and a cabin design that maximises a sense of space, at least in the front. It’s more like a thoughtfully designed city apartment than a scaled-down SUV.
In terms of straight line performance, Volvo delivers the goods. The single-motor version offers 272 hp and 343 Nm and comes with a rear-drive setup, enough for a 0–100 km/h sprint in 5.7 seconds. The battery (69 kWh NMC) offers a claimed range of up to 480 km of WLTP range, which should easily handle daily commutes and the occasional outstation run without stress. Real life range will most certainly be lower, although managing upwards of 400 kms on a single charge shouldn’t be too difficult.
On the road, the EX30 feels quick but never frantic. Overtaking is effortless, power delivery is instant, and acceleration remains smooth and predictable. The rear-drive setup is capable if not exciting, and the EX30 remains planted during cornering. The steering is nicely balanced as well: light and easy for city manoeuvres, with enough weight and accuracy during higher speeds. Above all, the tight turning radius proved to be a blessing in crowded urban conditions.
What impressed us the most was the ride quality of the EX30, which strikes a good balance between comfort and firmness. It has the unmistakable poise of a Volvo and provides enough compliance to handle Indian roads. The front seats are comfortable and provide good bolstering, and while the rear is well cushioned with good under thigh support, taller passengers may find legroom just about adequate.
And as always, safety is a priority and the EX30 comes loaded with ADAS features. Lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and collision mitigation provide the reassurance we’re used to with Volvos without being intrusive. Exactly how safety tech should be.
The Misses: Small Gaps in an Otherwise Tight Package
For all its strengths, the EX30 doesn’t hit every note.
Gear selection is done Mercedes-style via a stalk behind the steering wheel, which is elegant but takes some acclimatisation if you’re used to a traditional lever or rotary dial. And crucially, missing features like ventilated seats, rear AC vents, and the absence of a driver’s display will be sticking points for some buyers. Having all information on a single screen may be clean in theory, but it isn’t always practical, especially in fast-moving traffic.
More importantly, the EX30 lacks a certain spark. That “appliance syndrome” creeps in, making it the same level of engagement as with a well-engineered washing machine. Quiet, efficient, and well put together, but not exactly soul-stirring. It’s sufficiently competent, but it doesn’t tug at your heartstrings. You admire it for what it does, but you don’t catch yourself daydreaming about it later. Compared to rivals like the BMW iX1, which tempts you to drive harder, or the Kia EV6, which makes a visual statement, the EX30 plays things almost too safe. It’s the classic minimalist’s dilemma: it works for it and against it.
The Competition: Fighting on Multiple Fronts
The EX30 doesn’t have a neatly defined rival. Instead, it squares up across several categories.
- BYD Atto 3: Larger and quirkier inside, with playful design cues and up to 521 km ARAI range. At iNR 25–34 lacs, it undercuts what Volvo is likely to price the EX30 at. Where the Atto 3 charms with character and value, the Volvo counters with refinement and safety.
- Hyundai Kona EV: Smaller and older, but updated with decent range and Hyundai’s after-sales comfort. A practical rival, though it lacks the EX30’s premium aura.
- Hyundai Ioniq 5: At INR 46 lacs, it’s bigger, bolder, and more lounge-like inside. It makes a statement where the Volvo prefers understatement. Buyers wanting road presence may lean Ioniq, but city dwellers will appreciate the EX30’s compact footprint.
- BMW iX1: Perhaps the truest rival. At INR 49.9 lacs, it blends badge appeal with a more engaging drive. It’s the extrovert to the EX30’s introvert, though it demands more money for the privilege.
- Mercedes EQA: A step up in pricing (INR 67 lacs+), offering luxury cachet but not necessarily more range or practicality. Buyers cross-shopping will likely choose based on badge over logic.
- Kia EV6: Sporty, dramatic, and more expensive (INR 65 lacs). It’s the car for those who want attention; the EX30 is for those who’d rather fly under the radar.
This wide battlefield is both a strength and a challenge. Volvo has built a product that can nibble at many segments but is not likely to dominate one.
The Verdict: The Perfect Second Choice
The Volvo EX30 is one of the most rational EVs you can buy. It’s compact but sufficiently spacious for what it is. It’s fast but composed, premium but sustainable. It nails safety, efficiency, and everyday usability. And because it’s built on a fresh platform, it shows the future direction of Volvo EVs more clearly than any model before it.
But it’s also a car that appeals more to the head than the heart. It doesn’t thrill like a BMW, shout like a Kia, or undercut like a BYD. What it does instead is offer clarity, calm, and confidence in an approachable package.
When it launches in India, pricing will decide how far it goes. If Volvo gets that right, the EX30 could be its most important success of the decade. For now, it stands as a car you admire and trust, even if you don’t quite drool over it.
