Volvo’s newest electric SUV, the EX30, is the brand’s most compact and youth-focused EV yet. Built on the SEA2 skateboard architecture, it blends Scandinavian design, recycled materials, and a calm driving character aimed at urban buyers stepping into the premium EV space around the fifty-lakh mark. The question is not whether it looks the part, but whether its small footprint and pared-back feature list can win over Indian families who value space and convenience as much as sustainability.
At a Glance: What Works and What Does Not
We like
Attractive, modern styling
Sustainability first cabin with clever storage
Calm, refined power delivery and secure road manners
We do not like
Tight rear seat for adults
Some basics missing in the second row
Overreliance on the central screen for everyday functions
Quick Summary Table
Item |
Details |
|---|---|
What it is |
Compact premium electric SUV built on SEA2 EV platform |
Dimensions |
Length 4233 mm, Width 1940 mm, Height 1550 mm, Wheelbase 2650 mm |
Ground clearance |
171 mm (unladen) |
Kerb weight |
1775 kg |
Powertrain |
Single motor, rear-wheel drive |
Output |
272 hp, 343 Nm |
Battery |
69 kWh NMC, liquid cooled, 8-year warranty |
Performance |
0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 s, top speed 180 km/h |
Claimed range |
Up to 476 to 480 km WLTP |
Charging |
AC 11 kW about 7 hours to full; DC 150 kW 10 to 80 percent in about 25 minutes |
Interior highlights |
Recycled materials, panoramic glass roof, soundbar audio |
Misses |
No rear AC vents or blinds, no seat ventilation or heating, no separate instrument cluster |
Official site |
Volvo Cars India |
Design and Engineering: Compact Footprint, Big Presence
The EX30 is unmistakably a Volvo, but distilled. Thor’s hammer lighting is rendered as split LED signatures, the nose is largely sealed to aid aero, and an active lower flap manages cooling. The profile is clean and planted on 19-inch wheels, with the battery tucked into the floor to keep the silhouette tidy and ground clearance surprisingly usable. At the rear, C-shaped lamps extend onto the glass for a neat light signature. Entry can be fully digital via phone or smart card by tapping the B-pillar, a small detail that underlines the car’s tech-forward intent.
Dimensionally it sits well below Volvo’s larger EX40, which helps in crowded cities and tight parking, yet the stance is broader than you expect from the numbers. That visual width and the carefully managed shut lines give the EX30 a premium look even before you step inside.
Cabin, Space, and Comfort: Thoughtful, Minimal, and Honest
Volvo leans into sustainability, replacing traditional leather and heavy brightwork with layered recycled textures. The result is a calm, modern aesthetic that still feels solidly built. Storage is intelligently handled with deep door bins, a configurable centre console with sliding cup holders, and a flat floor that helps packaging.
The front seats are broad and supportive, and the driver gets electric adjustment. However, features Indian buyers now expect in this class such as seat ventilation or heating do not appear. The panoramic glass roof adds welcome airiness but lacks a physical blind, which could warm the cabin in summer.
In the second row, adults over six feet will wish for more headroom and thigh support. The floor is high and the knees-up posture will tire tall passengers on long runs. Realistically this is best for two adults in the back, or for children. Practical touches help: the rear bench folds flat to expand the 318-litre boot, there is a small seven-litre frunk for the charging cable, but there is no spare wheel.
Tech and Safety: Screen-Led Simplicity with Solid Assistance
A single vertically oriented 12.3-inch touchscreen runs the car. Climate, lights, mirrors, and drive information all live here. The upside is a clean dashboard and a responsive Google-based interface with built-in Google Maps and wireless Apple CarPlay. The caveat is learning a new workflow because there is no separate instrument cluster; your speed, range, and assistance status are pinned to the top of the central display.
Audio is delivered by a neat soundbar spanning the dash with Harman Kardon hardware. It sounds crisp, though purists will miss the depth of Volvo’s higher-end Bowers and Wilkins systems.
Safety kit is comprehensive for the class. You get a full suite of driver assists equivalent to Level 2, including adaptive cruise, lane support, and collision avoidance, plus driver alertness monitoring and safe-exit warnings. Eight airbags are not advertised here, but Volvo’s structural integrity and sensor coverage remain key selling points.
Performance and Range: Easy Speed, Everyday Calm
This extended-range, rear-drive EX30 uses a 69 kWh NMC pack and a single motor for 272 hp and 343 Nm. Volvo claims 5.7 seconds to 100 km/h, but the character is measured rather than dramatic. Power arrives smoothly and without step changes, making the car feel friendly in traffic and stress-free on the highway. There are no selectable drive modes and no multi-level regeneration settings; recuperation happens automatically with the brake pedal, though a one-pedal mode is offered for city slog.
Refinement impresses for the class. There is mild tyre roar and wind rustle at triple-digit speeds, but the cabin remains settled and vibrations are well contained. On real Indian roads you can expect over 350 km per charge with mixed use, and more in a gentle urban cycle. The 400-volt architecture supports AC charging at 11 kW in about seven hours and DC fast charging at up to 150 kW for a quick 10 to 80 percent top-up in roughly 25 minutes.
Ride and Handling: Secure, Predictable, and Composed
There is a touch of firmness at low speed, but damping quality is high, which keeps harsh impacts out of the cabin. The low battery mass helps body control, so the EX30 feels planted in corners with little roll. Steering effort can be set to soft, medium, or firm. The firmer profile adds weight but not extra feedback; in practice, the soft setting works best for city work, and the chassis never feels nervous. This is not a sport SUV in temperament, but it is reassuring and tidy, and that suits its brief.
Verdict and Price Outlook: Pitch it Right and it Lands
To succeed, the EX30 must undercut larger premium EVs while feeling special. Expect pricing to sit beneath Volvo’s EX40 and C40, bringing it nose to nose with the BMW iX1 LWB and Mercedes-Benz EQA, and in the crosshairs of value-rich rivals such as Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. The Volvo will not win family buyers on rear space or gadget count, but it will appeal to design-minded urban owners who prioritise sustainability, quality, and a calm electric drive.
If you want a compact luxury EV that looks sharp, treads lightly, and de-stresses the daily commute, the EX30 marks the spot. If you need generous rear room and second-row amenities, audition larger alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is the Volvo EX30 suitable for a family of four
Yes for city use and school runs. Taller rear passengers will find space tight on long trips.
Q. Does the EX30 have rear AC vents or sunblinds
No. The second row lacks dedicated vents and blinds, which some buyers may miss.
Q. What range can I realistically expect in India
Plan on more than 350 km per charge in mixed conditions. City-heavy use can stretch that.
Q. Can I fast charge the EX30 on Indian highways
Yes. It supports up to 150 kW DC fast charging where high-power stations are available.
Q. Is there a spare wheel
No spare wheel is provided. A repair kit and the frunk for cables are included.
Official Website
Visit Volvo Cars India for specifications, variants, and booking information: Volvo Cars India
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