The American electric vehicle (EV) market is currently volatile. As federal tax incentives wane and global import tariffs rise, launching a battery-powered car made in China isn't ideal right now. Still, Volvo continues with the new EX30, which, in many ways, is its most appealing EV despite being the most affordable.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The EX30 is an entirely new model positioned below Volvo's current EX40. It is clearly designed to compete with the Tesla Model Y, with a starting price that is close to Tesla’s, even though its as-configured 253-mile range is about 70 miles short of a comparable Model Y.
For 2025, the EX30 is offered in a single twin motor configuration with two trim levels—Plus and Ultra—priced from $46,195 to $47,895, including the destination charge. Volvo has announced a lower cost, single motor version, but it is not yet available for purchase.
For this 2025 EX30 review, Volvo provided a test vehicle equipped with twin motor Ultra trim and only one option: the $500 Climate package, which adds heated front seats and a heated steering wheel—something that feels like it should come standard on a trim called "Ultra."
The test vehicle's manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $48,395, including the $1,295 destination charge to ship the SUV to a local dealership from the Zhangiakou, China, assembly plant.
Photo: Tim Stevens
There is a clear sense of frugality in the Volvo EX30. Sit down, and you can immediately feel that Volvo has stripped things down to the essentials in an apparent effort to create the most basic and affordable EV possible. You will notice the absence of a traditional gauge cluster behind the wheel, as Volvo follows the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y approach by presenting all the information through a single, vertically oriented 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Look closer, and you will also notice the simplicity of the front door design. They have no speakers or any controls for that matter. The window controls are located ahead of the central armrest, featuring just two rocker switches for all four windows. This means you will need to press a capacitive touch button labeled "REAR" to lower the rear windows. Alternatively, you can reach behind the console and operate the switches there.
These are among the few physical controls in the EX30. There are dedicated wiper and headlight controls on the turn signal stalk, and on the right, a stalk for selecting drive mode, along with a series of capacitive touch buttons on the steering wheel stalks. But that is all. There is no volume knob, no buttons for temperature or fan speed. Everything is controlled through that touchscreen, which I will discuss in just a moment.
In terms of fit and finish, Volvo clearly designed this interior with both a budget in mind and a purpose. The gray colors and heathered textures inside the EX30 I tested looked good, and while some of the materials feel harsh, knowing that they are mostly made from recycled and renewable materials helps soften the impact.
Major touchpoints still have a premium feel, such as the chromed door pulls, the well-shaped steering wheel, and the dramatic air vents. However, there is one more cut corner here that will be a daily frustration: the Volvo EX30 does not have a traditional key fob with buttons to lock or unlock the doors.
It again takes a cue from Tesla by offering just a basic RFID card that you tap on the B pillar to unlock the doors. The EX30 does one better by also offering what Volvo calls a Key Tag, but it lacks buttons. This allows the EX30 to recognize your approach, but you will need to touch the driver's side door handle to unlock the doors. Want to put a load of groceries in the back seat? You will need to touch the driver's side door handle first and wait for the car to unlock.
You can also use a smartphone to replicate this functionality, and you can set the car to unlock all doors automatically when you approach. Still, aside from pulling out your phone, opening the Volvo app, and unlocking the vehicle through it, there is no other way to unlock the car as you approach.
In terms of volume and dimensions, the EX30 offers 12.4 cubic feet of cargo space in the rear, which expands to 27.8 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.
The rear seats provide ample headroom, largely thanks to the panoramic glass roof above. However, legroom is somewhat limited. You can seat three across for a total of five passengers, but your passengers will be happier if you keep it to four. Seating up front is much more spacious, thanks to the low dashboard, which creates an open and airy feel in the cabin.
Photo: Tim Stevens
Volvo's infotainment system is built on Android Automotive, providing access to numerous native Google apps, including Google Maps and YouTube Music, as well as other downloadable apps. At least, that's the plan. I experienced numerous issues with even the basic, integrated services, with Google Maps often refusing to open and prompting me to accept a Terms and Conditions agreement that would not close.
The system was also hesitant to connect to my Android smartphone, requiring a manual connection each time. Smartphone projection from Android devices is currently not supported, but iPhone users are in luck. Wireless Apple CarPlay is available, and a wireless smartphone charger is also included.
When it works, the Volvo software is fast and easy to use. Built-in Google Assistant lets you easily make detailed requests for food or other services or even change some vehicle settings. That helps make up for some of the missing controls, but I still wish I had a volume knob.
Regarding features, the EX30's media system includes:
The EX30 has a 1,040-watt Harman Kardon premium sound system with nine speakers, five of which are built into a soundbar that spans the width of the windshield. This forward-focused design offers a very different listening experience compared to the more immersive sound environment in most cars, but overall, the quality and power are quite good.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The Volvo EX30 offers a straightforward driving experience. There are no complex driving modes to switch between, and no extensive settings to sift through to set your preferences. You pull the shifter down into “D,” and you are ready to go.
At first glance, there is little that is remarkable about the EX30. It's quiet and smooth as you would expect from an EV, but with a slow, gentle throttle response and a relaxed approach to braking, it does not feel particularly engaging at first blush.
But dig a little deeper into the travel of that throttle pedal, and the EX30 truly comes alive. It has 422 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque distributed to all four wheels, thanks to the dual motors. That's enough to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds.
To boost performance, you need to navigate through three menus and activate Performance All Wheel Drive (AWD) mode. This provides a little extra acceleration, which the car warns will "prioritize performance over range." The car is indeed a bit quicker in this mode, but the difference is not dramatic and is not worth digging through all those menus each time you get in.
The EX30's handling does not quite match the impressive acceleration it provides, but this is a fun little SUV to drive through the corners. The steering is direct with a quick ratio, making it feel much lighter than its 4,151 pounds (heavier than a base XC60 T5 AWD). Its ride is somewhat firm, but overall quality is good in most situations, though it can be punishing on rougher roads.
In terms of range, the Volvo EX30 in twin motor Ultra trim is officially rated for 253 miles on a charge from its 69-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack, which charges at a maximum rate of just 153 kilowatts (kW). In my test loop, a mix of highway and secondary roads, I achieved an average efficiency of 27.3 kWh per 100 miles, or 3.66 miles per kWh, which equates to a theoretical 252.8 miles on a charge—about as close to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rating as you can get.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The Volvo EX30 in Ultra trim comes with Volvo's Pilot Assist. That means the vehicle I tested featured a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including:
In general, during everyday driving, the active safety systems performed well, with the blind spot warning system accurately detecting nearby traffic and the surround view camera providing a clear video of everything around the SUV.
On the highway, the adaptive cruise control system effectively maintained a steady pace with traffic, including bringing the car to a complete stop in traffic and resuming when the traffic started moving.
The Pilot Assist's lane centering system also performed well, keeping the EX30 steady and centered on highways. However, on secondary roads, the SUV tended to wander slightly, with the car making constant adjustments to stay in the lane.
The driver monitoring system was accurate but overly sensitive. Look at the infotainment screen for more than two seconds, and you will get beeped at. Gaze at a passing farm stand, and you will receive another warning. I appreciate these systems for helping keep drivers focused, but this one is so eager that I worry most drivers will turn it off.
Regarding crash test ratings, the EX30 has not been assessed by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as of now.
According to the JD Power 2025 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Audi Q3 ranks highest in the Small Premium SUV segment. The Lexus UX and the Mercedes-Benz GLA are the next highest-ranked models.
According to the JD Power 2025 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the BMW X1 ranks highest in the Small Premium SUV segment. The Genesis GV60 is the next highest-ranked model.
According to the JD Power 2025 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study, the BMW iX ranks highest in the Premium Battery Electric Vehicles segment. The BMW i4 and the Rivian R1S are the next highest-ranked models.
Other 2025 EX30 competitors include the BMW X2, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Volvo's EX30 offers sufficient style and performance to compensate for the interior's compromises, particularly for buyers who prioritize minimalist design and environmental sustainability. That makes it a strong alternative for someone considering a Tesla Model Y but seeking other options. However, while software updates are expected, the current glitches are concerning, and the all-touch interface may not be suitable for everyone.
The Volvo EX30 is an SUV with potential, but it feels like it needs another model year to develop fully.
Tim Stevens is a veteran automotive and technology journalist with over 25 years of experience covering a wide range of topics, from smartphones to supercars. In addition to JDPower.com, his expert perspectives have appeared in numerous national and international outlets, including print, online, and broadcast television.
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