There is an oft-used mantra – “Go Big or Go Home.” Pursuitist is usually down with that, as we love the big-boy offerings from Rolls-Royce, Range Rover, and other Japanese and European luxury brands, including Volvo.
But sometimes it’s cool to dial it back a bit, especially if you can do so without sacrificing a lot of luxury or performance.
At a recent world reveal in the historic city of Milan, Italy, Volvo unveiled the 2025 EX30, which slots in before the C40 and XC40 Recharge at the beginning of the Volvo SUV/CUV lineup.
“The fully electric EX30 might be our smallest ever SUV, but it’s a big deal for our customers and a big deal for us as a company,” said Volvo CEO Jim Rowan. “We like to say the EX30 is small yet mighty, because it delivers on everything you’d want from a Volvo but in a smaller package. Like any Volvo, it’s an outstanding product that is safe and designed around people and their needs.”
Here are some key takeaways for this impressive new model:
- It’s the smallest Volvo SUV ever built
- It’s the fastest Volvo ever, with a supercar 0-60mph time in just 3.4 seconds (twin motor model)
- It has a very good estimated range of 275 miles
- Luxury is available to the masses with a starting MSRP of just $34,950
The Volvo EX30 is the latest salvo from the iconic Swedish brand’s rapid march towards a much greener future. Volvo is on course to meet its goal of having half of global sales to consist of fully electric cars and by 2030, Volvo plans to sell only fully electric models.
With such a low starting price point, expect EX30 to be a best seller in the U.S. market.
With the EX30, Volvo is targeting city dwellers looking for a car that brings convenience and allows them to commute to work and get around while doing so in a way that reflects who they are. It’s also a pretty safe bet that parents of young drivers will view the EX30 as an affordable, super-safe first vehicle. Personally, my newborn daughter came home from the hospital in a 740 Volvo wagon, and I’ve always kept one in my personal fleet of cars (XC90) because of the marque’s well-earned reputation for safety.
Exterior Design
The 2025 EX30 continues Volvo’s exciting full-electric vehicle design. Essentially, it looks like the little brother of the range-topping EX90, which is certainly a compliment to its stunning design. We especially like the front-end and rear-end treatments. Up front, vaunted “Thor’s Hammer” LED Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) are bold and expressive. They are supported by a styling feature Volvo calls an “Air Curtain,” which feeds air around the front to improve aerodynamic efficiency. Also up front is a “U-shaped” configuration that also houses sensors that support several of EX30’s myriad safety features. The front hood is aggressively styled, with a pair of deep aero channels that also contribute to the vehicle’s wind-cheating profile.
At the rear, stylish LED tail and brake lamps finish off a very complete design. This is the view most drivers will see should you opt for the performance-oriented twin-motor configuration.
Overhead, a Piano Black roof houses an expansive glass sunroof. The overall design is an excellent 10 out of 10.
Interior Design
Inside, it’s all about “green” luxury, Scandinavian style. Volvo has created several of what Volvo calls “Rooms” to delineate available interiors that all feature a very high percentage of recycled and repurposed materials. For example “Indigo” is a gorgeous blue interior, with recycled denim fibers from discarded blue jeans comprising 50% of the materials used. Other cool “green” Rooms include “Breeze,” made from ground plastic waste; “Mist,” made from a 30% wool blend; and “Pine,” made from woven flax, a natural, renewable material from the linseed plant.
From a driver’s perspective, all interior functions and displays are housed in a 12.3” vertical display on the center dashboard. It’s touch and voice-activated.
Lining the interior base of the windshield lies a multi-speaker harman-kardon soundbar, providing thunderous home-theater-type sound to your favorite audio tracks.
A specially-made phone holder is present in the rear map pockets of both front seats. The center console features dual-sliding cupholders, window control switches, and concealed storage areas.
Powertrains and Range
A Rear-Wheel Drive single motor, extended range platform underpins the base trim level. Power is 268 horsepower with 253 pound-feet of torque. Zero-60 mph comes up in a respectable 5.1 seconds. A so-called LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) 69 kWh battery pack powers the platform.
The “Silent Supercar Assassin”: 422-hp/400 lb-ft of torque Twin Motor, All-Wheel Drive variant is a true screamer (again, the 0-60 time is a world-class 3.4 seconds). The plus is if you stay off the go-pedal, you can expect an estimated 265 miles of range, just ten miles lower than the less powerful single-motor variant.
DC fast charging can yield a 10-80% charge time of just 26 minutes.
Safety
The EX30 is designed to be as safe as you’d expect from a Volvo and aims to look after both you and others in hectic urban environments. For example, a standard safety feature helps bicycles to avoid so-called “dooring” accidents, by alerting you when you are about to open your door in front of a cyclist, scooter, or runner. State-of-the-art protective active and passive safety tech is standard or available on the new EX30.
The Way You Want It
“With subscriptions for the EX30 starting at $641 per month, we strongly believe this car will be an attractive choice for many customers – not just for our existing customers but also for those who are new to the Volvo brand,” said Björn Annwall, our chief commercial officer and deputy CEO. “That will allow us to create new customer relationships and boost customer retention over time.”
With its convenient size, smart technology, and different configurations to choose from, the Volvo EX30 is designed to appeal to the preferences, needs, and ways of life of a wide range of customers.
That same flexibility and convenience is reflected in the way you can access the digital keys to your new EX30 through outright ownership, leasing, or subscriptions.
The “Care by Volvo” subscription packages are expected to be a significant part of consumer offers. Volvo has created a simple, intuitive, and smooth buying process via the volvocars.com Web site. Transparent online pricing without hidden fees, as well as an easy-to-understand offer, makes ordering a new Volvo EX30 a positive experience.
The Volvo EX30 is now available to pre-order in the U.S. market.
Shortly after the EX30 bows, a lifestyle-oriented Cross Country model will join the lineup. Volvo has already curated optional gear to make your overlanding experience more enjoyable.
Stay tuned as we drive the EX30 and EX90 in the near future.
