The all-electric 2024 Volvo EX30 is the answer to a question that many asked at Volvo, what would an affordable EV crossover look like? Volvo is out to answer this question with its fourth all-electric model, which aims to reshape how most buyers think about the brand.
EX30 Is Ready For The City And Urban Terrain
The EX30 was designed to be a more city-friendly alternative to the C40 Recharge and the XC40 Recharge, with the EX featuring styling that allows it to fall in line with Volvo’s current design language for the broader EX lineup. There’s plenty of EX90 influence in the exterior styling, with the smaller EX30 featuring a closed-off grille panel, digitized Thor’s hammer headlights, and split taillights in the rear. That said, the styling is more dynamic than the bigger 90, with the 30 embracing a sportier persona that includes bigger wheel arches, a more dynamic-looking front end, and a neat optical illusionary effect that makes the roof look like it’s floating. When viewed with the C40 in particular, the EX is a noticeable leap forward in the looks department.
Meanwhile, the interior of the EX30 continues to be an exercise in Swedish minimalist design, but the cabin now comes infused with the latest in state-of-the-art technology. A 12.3-inch infotainment screen dominates the center of the dashboard, with Volvo claiming that the system has benefitted from the company working more closely with Google, Apple, and Qualcomm to enhance the user experience. We’ll safely assume that includes reducing the amount of lag and glitchiness that we have seen in other recent Volvo infotainment systems in the past. Volvo also confirmed that the model will have the ability to receive OTA updates too. Buyers will be able to choose from four different interior themes and five ambient lighting setups, with all of them being paired with an accompanying soundscape to match the mood.
Other interior highlights include a novel sound bar that runs along the entire upper edge of the dashboard beneath the windshield (a first for a production car), as well as a newly available digital key and app that aims to expand owner involvement with their vehicle while also providing a seamless way to access the vehicle.
EX30 Performance Makes It Quickest Volvo Ever Produced
Performance for the 2024 Volvo EX30 lineup will come from a pair of electrified powerplants, with base models getting a Single Motor Extended Range setup that gives them a rear-mounted 268-horsepower electric motor that’s mated to a 64-kWh battery pack. Stepping up to the Twin Motor Performance variant adds an electric motor to the front, which increases the combined output to 422 hp while also giving the EX30 standard all-wheel drive. This model can make the sprint to 60 mph in 3,4 seconds, which allows it to be the quickest accelerating model that the Swedish luxury carmaker has ever produced (remember when ICE-powered models used to hold that distinction?)
The Twin motor variant also gets the same 64-kWh battery pack, but the company claims it can deliver an estimated driving range of 265 miles between charges. In addition to the standard EX30, Volvo will also offer a rugged Cross Country version which will give the model a slight suspension lift in an attempt to improve ground clearance. Cross Country models also get blacked-out accents, skid plates, blacked-out 18 or 19-inch wheels as well as plenty of Cross Country badging. The lone catch here is that the Cross Country will not be available at launch, with the model arriving in showrooms a bit later in 2024.
When Can I Buy One?
The 2024 Volvo EX30 will begin arriving in showrooms early next year. Pricing will begin at $36,145 for the base model though we get to wait longer to hear more about pricing for the rest of the EX30 lineup. In the meantime, the base EX30 will be the least expensive model in Volvo showrooms in the U.S., and it’s poised to be a gateway model for the company, with buyers perhaps moving on to either the bigger EX90 or another Recharge model when it comes time to buy a new vehicle.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.