Volvo's first pure electric vehicle, the EX30, is a compact sport utility vehicle (SUV). It emphasizes practicality with a clean design and reasonable pricing, based on a brand philosophy that highlights safety. Compared to its class, its driving performance is quite good, but the somewhat heavy ride quality is a drawback.
Volvo officially launched the EX30 in the domestic market last month. Although it was slightly delayed from the originally scheduled launch, the initial batch of 500 units sold out. Volvo aims to sell a total of 3,000 units this year. The EX30 was the best-selling electric vehicle in the European market last year, excluding Tesla.
The first impression of the vehicle is compact, showcasing the simplicity typical of Scandinavian design. The hammer-shaped headlights symbolizing Volvo at the front, along with the slanting logo, create a simplified feel when paired with the sleek radiator grille. The official vehicle dimensions are a length of 4,235 mm, a width of 1,840 mm, a height of 1,555 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,650 mm, making it slightly smaller than Kia's compact electric vehicle EV3.
While previous Volvo SUV models feature bold lines and somewhat angular and Namsung elements, the EX30 has a softer and rounder overall impression. Volvo explains that the exterior design of the vehicle was inspired by helmets from the science fiction film series "Star Wars."
The high tail lights connecting the upper and lower parts of both rear tail lamps, along with the frameless side mirrors on the sides, add to the sophistication. The rear end also gives a feel similar to Polestar, an electric vehicle brand created in collaboration with Volvo and the Chinese automotive group Geely.
The interior feels stripped down to only what is necessary. Except for the 12.3-inch display between the driver and passenger seats, the number of physical buttons to touch or operate has been minimized, which can feel unfamiliar. The patterned eco-friendly materials used for the interior, the door handles, and the side storage spaces exhibit unique designs, likely leading to mixed preferences.
Compared to the front seats, the rear seats are somewhat narrow, resembling a hatchback rather than a compact SUV. However, they are slightly higher than the front seats, and the ceiling features a glass structure that provides a sense of spaciousness.
True to Volvo's reputation, various safety features are equipped. A newly added driver warning system at the top of the steering wheel is noteworthy, as it detects the driver's movements during driving and automatically sends noise warnings if distraction or drowsy driving, such as yawning, is detected. Standard features include lane departure mitigation and speed reduction on inclines.
Thanks to the premium sound system that is not typically found in its class, praises for the audio quality are widespread. A horizontally long Harman Kardon soundbar is mounted at the bottom of the windshield. The 1,040W soundbar is equipped with nine speakers that fill the empty interior of the vehicle with sound regardless of the genre played. The Harman Kardon soundbar is only available in the upper trim (Ultra).
Overall, the driving texture is smooth, but the ride quality is somewhat disappointing. It particularly bounces excessively when passing over uneven roads or bumps. At times, the signature quietness of electric vehicles is rendered ineffective due to body shaking. The EX30 boasts a motor output of 272 horsepower and maximum torque of 35.0 kg.m. It takes 5.3 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. The maximum driving range on a full charge is 351 km based on a combined standard.
The selling price of the EX30 is a key attractive point that Volvo highlights. For different trims, the core trim is priced at 47.55 million won, and the Ultra trim is at 51.83 million won. With applicable subsidies for electric vehicles, it can be purchased for just over 40 million won. The selling price in Korea is more than 20 million won cheaper than major European markets like Sweden, the UK, and Germany.