The all-new 2025 Volvo EX30 is petite but mighty. It’s the smallest and least expensive EV Volvo makes. It’s stylish, fun and zippy to drive, and the attractive cabin is filled with sustainable materials. A small back seat and lack of physical controls may turn off some buyers, but overall, the EX30 is a compelling entry among EV SUVs.
Base Price: $46,600
As Tested: $48,395
Horsepower: 422
Mileage: 116 MPGe city/100 MPGe highway/109 MPGe combined
Volvo says the EX30 is designed to make electric driving more accessible. The EX30 blends Scandinavian minimalism with the latest tech and impressive performance. While it’s easy to tell that the EX30 is a Volvo, it stands out with its signature Thor’s Hammer LED headlights, sleek closed-off grille, and sculpted body lines. It also comes in some fun colors including Moss Yellow and Cloud Blue.
The 2025 EX30 comes in two trims: Single Motor Extended Range which starts at $44,900 and Twin Motor Performance which starts at $46,900. For now, though, only the Twin Motor is available in the U.S. The Single Motor model is expected to go on sale in the U.S. for the 2026 model year. It can be ordered on Volvo’s U.S. website.
As its name suggests, the Single Motor Extended Range model is powered by a single motor which makes 268 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, and has rear-wheel drive. Volvo says it can go from 0–60 mph in 5.1 seconds, and has a range of 275 miles.
The Twin Motor Performance trim has, of course, two motors that make an impressive 422 horses and 400 pound-feet of torque. This version has all-wheel drive and a range of 265 miles.
The Twin Motor rim can go from 0–60 mph in a blistering 3.2 seconds, making it Volvo’s fastest production car ever! There’s also plenty of punch for passing at higher speeds. Steering is responsive with decent feedback which you don’t often experience in EVs. The low center of gravity makes the EX30 feel planted when cornering. Even with the sporty performance, the EX30 has a smooth and comfortable ride thanks to its passive damper suspension. One peeve is that the regenerative braking can feel jerky at times. Otherwise, this little EV is a blast to drive whether you’re scooting around town or cruising on the highway.
Charging is solid, though not class-leading. With DC fast charging, the battery can go from 10% to 80% in about 27 minutes. It takes about 8 hours to charge the battery from 10% to 90% with a Level 2 (240V) charger.
The range of 265 to 275 miles, depending on the trim, is decent for a subcompact SUV. It’s enough for most daily commutes and weekend getaways, though it falls short of the Tesla Model Y’s 300+ mile range.
The cabin can be described as having Scandinavian minimalism. The design is clean and uncluttered. The dash looks empty as there’s no gauge cluster for the driver; rather everything is controlled via a single 12.3-inch vertical touchscreen on the center stack. There are practically no physical buttons which can take getting used to. The available panoramic sunroof gives the cabin an airy feel.
Front seats are plush and supportive with decent leg- and headroom, especially considering the EX30’s diminutive size. Rear seats are less impressive – they’re low to the floor and tight on legroom, although headroom is acceptable for average-size adults. Volvo uses many sustainable materials including recycled vinyl window trim, synthetic leather made from pine sap, and wool-blend seat fabrics from recycled bottles. Some of the plastics feel low-budget, but overall, the build quality is what you’d expect in Volvo’s cheapest EV.
Standard features include a digital key, dual-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery made from sustainable materials, 12.3-inch touchscreen with driver information system and infotainment system, navigation, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi hot spot, front and rear USB-C ports, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 12V power outlet. Unfortunately, Android Auto is not available.
Available features include surround-view camera system, auto-dimming rearview mirror, synthetic leather upholstery, heated seats, heated steering wheel, 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with four-way lumbar support, eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, sport steering wheel, Harmon Kardon audio system, wireless device charging and a panoramic sunroof.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward and reverse collision warning, forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, front cross-traffic alert, pedestrian and cyclist detection, traffic-sign recognition, speed-limit recognition, traffic-jam assist (controls braking, acceleration and steering at slow speeds), rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, front and rear park assist, and safe exit assist (prevents the vehicle doors from opening if another vehicle is approaching from behind).
Available driver assistance technologies include Volvo’s Pilot Assist (a driver assistance system that combines adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist to keep the vehicle centered in its lane and at a set distance from the car ahead), lane change assist, and park assist.
The infotainment system runs on Google built-in and has a single 12.3-inch screen that manages all functions, including the driver display, vehicle settings including driver assistance technologies and the side mirror adjustments, navigation, climate and audio settings. While it’s nice to have everything in one place, you often have to go through several menus and submenus which can be very distracting while driving. Some physical controls would be useful, especially for things like volume and climate settings. On the plus side, the system looks great with sharp graphics and responds quickly to inputs. The system has seamless integration with Google Maps, Assistant and Play Store. Over-the-air updates keep the system current. Wireless Apple CarPlay is standard, but as noted above, Android Auto is not offered.
Cargo space is limited as you’d expect in a small vehicle. There are 14.1 cubic feet with both rows of seating in place, and 31.9 cubs with the second row folded. There’s enough space for several grocery bags. A hidden cargo floor in the rear can hold smaller items, and the little frunk (front trunk) has space for a charging cable. Inside the vehicle, there are cubbies and bins as well as a handy sliding tray under the center armrest. A power liftgate is available.
The good:
Quickest-accelerating Volvo ever made
Relatively low price compared to other luxury EVs
Fun to drive
Smooth ride
Stylish design
The not-so-good:
Quirky combo driver display and infotainment system
Tight back seat
Less range than some rivals
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $46,600. The Climate Package is $500 and includes heated seats and a heated steering wheel. The destination charge is $1,295 bringing the grand total to $48,395.
Bottom line:
Volvo’s entry-level EV, the all-new 2025 EX30, is a great option for those who want a small luxury EV that’s priced well below many rivals. The EX30 is compact, stylish and surprisingly quick. A tiny backseat and the combination driver/infotainment system may turn off some buyers, but all in all, the EX30 is definitely worth checking out.
