2024 VOLVO EX30: EVERYTHING WE KNOW SO FAR

The year 2024 could mark a major milestone for Volvo, with two of its new EVs being set to hit the market by then. Coming soon is the Volvo EX30, which will be the manufacturer's smallest, and most affordable SUV so far. While we have yet to get properly introduced to the new compact vehicle, the leaks, glimpses, and speculations are certainly enough to keep us busy, until the company tells us more in the upcoming days that is. The spy photos and somber shots that have emerged so far reveal a modern design with aerodynamic curves as well as the signature Thor’s Hammer LED Headlights, which proudly emphasize the Nordic pedigree.

The new EX30, which is set to enter production by the last quarter of 2023, is a key instrument in Volvo’s plans to hit 1.2 million annual sales volume by 2025. The Swedish company is now paving the way towards mass electrification with a cheaper product, in hopes of attracting a larger clientele. The EX30 is set to be produced in China, and will accompany the more luxuriant EX90 in Volvo’s quest towards prominence. The estimated MSRP of $50,000 should put the upcoming EX30 in direct confrontation with the Model Y, the upcoming Fisker Ocean, as well as the freshly renovated Chevy Blazer EV.

Related: 10 Reasons Why We Can't Wait For The Volvo EX90

The EX30 Will Be Offered In Three Trims

Volvo’s quest to transition away from internal combustion engines is well known, as it takes an extensive approach towards fully embracing the EV future. The same (green) energy is kept when it comes to the EX30. The upcoming EV is set to be made out of renewable materials, which can be found on the dashboard, seats, and doors. The repurposed materials will include waste products from the Denim recycling process, recycled window frames, and roller shutters as well as a wool blend that contains around 70-percent Polyester. In addition, consumers will also get the Nordico upholstery, which was created using PET bottles, as well as bio-attributed materials from Scandinavian forests.

The trim levels are expected to come in a trifecta, as is customary with Volvo vehicles. The EX30 should thus include the Core, Plus, and Ultimate variants, which should stretch out from $50,000 to $60,000, as well as rear-wheel and all-wheel drive layouts. It is also assumed that the upcoming crossover will follow in the footsteps of the XC40 Recharge in terms of specs, which means roughly 400 horsepower for the four-wheel drive version, while the lower trim should feature a single rear-mounted motor that churns out 268 horsepower. The entry-level is set to come with a 59 kWh LFP battery, while the high-end version will feature a 69 kWh, more suitable for a longer range. The top speed and 0 to 60 mph are yet to be revealed.

Related: 10 Things You Need To Know About The All-New Polestar 4

The EX30 Will Have A Minimalist Interior

The inside of the car properly represents the Scandinavian heritage with its simple, yet efficient approach. The cabin looks aesthetically pleasing, without being too flashy. The center of the dashboard is notably occupied by a Tesla-like floating tablet, which Volvo claims will be the fastest of the brand so far. The large touchscreen offers Google Maps, Google Play, Google Assistant, and 5G (where available) and should measure around 12.3 inches. The Swedish manufacturer is also seizing the opportunity to introduce a revolutionary sound system. The 2025 Volvo EX30 includes an innovative soundbar, placed seamlessly under the windshield, which unites every speaker in the vehicle to provide exceptional audio quality. The soundbar is practical in more than one way, as it helps reduce clutter and cables, thus leaving more room for storage.

In terms of space, the EX30 should offer ample legroom for a total of five passengers, and includes enough charging ports and seat pockets to keep everyone in the back happy. Much like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 the new Volvo will come equipped with a sliding center console, which conveniently holds the window switches. For the sake of centralization, the glove box was also displaced and put right under the infotainment screen. However, this method could reduce comfort to a degree. One caveat that can be noticed so far, is the absence of a gauge cluster, and the lack of buttons, which might put basic functionalities beyond immediate reach in the infotainment system, a common grievance with Tesla vehicles.

Related: Everything We Know About The Polestar 5

It Will Feature Volvo's Safe Space Technology

The EX30 will come packed with safety features; which are all part of Volvo’s Safe Space Technology. One of these features is the Door Opening Alert, which notifies of any approaching vehicles when you’re about to open the car’s door. A new Intersection Auto Brake feature will also be included to reduce the risks of collision by stopping the car immediately in case of imminent danger. Furthermore, the new electric SUV will also come with a standard Advanced Driver Alert System, which uses motion sensors and eye-monitoring technology, to make sure the man behind the wheel remains engaged at all times. It is worth noting that, for 2022, Volvo’s Pilot Assist was ranked 11th among a total of 12 Driver Assist Systems. While the Pilot Assist got a better score than Hyundai’s Highway Driver Assist due to its capabilities and performance, it is still disappointed in a few areas. Consumer Reports notably highlighted how often the ADAS goes into standby mode, “without clearly warning the driver”.

It’ll therefore be interesting to see if those issues are fixed with the new Volvo generation. It is rumored that the EX30 will be powered by Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture, which provides between 285 and 436 miles of range, approximately. The top variant of the new Volvo is expected to hit a sweet spot of 300 miles, which should put it around the same level as the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Consumers might also get a peak charging capacity of 150 kW, which would allow them to go from 10 to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes. In conclusion, the EX30 is an intriguing addition that, if done right, could help put Volvo on the map as a major player in the EV industry. The small SUV offers an interesting mixture of class, practicality, and budget-friendliness, and therefore shouldn’t struggle to compete with its peers.

However, it remains to be seen how the compact EV holds up in other departments, such as reliability, performance, handling, and whatnot. For now, we wait until June 7 2023, when the Volvo EX30 will finally make its grand debut and become available for reservation in the U.S.

2023-06-05T18:39:06Z dg43tfdfdgfd