The EX30 is a Volvo you are not familiar with because of its diminutive look. A small but powerful
revolution that gives the Swedish brand a decent fight in the ’all-electric compact car market.
The EX30 replaces the old V40 hatchback, and is positioned below fellow electric siblings, the C40 and
XC40. The new Volvo model is the first to use Chinese hardware after the Swedish automaker was
bought in 2010 by Geely from Ford.
Further Chinese influence can also be seen in the use of lithium-ion phosphate battery technology,
making the EX30 among the first electric cars to use such power technology.
The entry level Core model comes with a smaller 49 kWh battery which is easier to make, compared to
the more sophisticated 64 kWh lithium-ion battery that powers the upper Extended Range and
Performance models.
To be honest, with the R775 900 price tag for the entry-level model in South Africa, the EX30 does not
come cheap. However, overlooking the prices will definitely afford any buyer luxury, style, comfort and
peace of mind for a lifetime in any of the Volvo EX30 models.
The luxury and style in the interior are captured by the touchscreen taken out of Tesla’s display with
everything from the instruments to the infotainment to the climate control compressed together in one
12.3-inch display in the centre of the dash.
Other techno stuff is too complicated to mention but every spec of futuristic modern is included, even
though it’s hard to decipher the function of some buttons!
The squared-off steering wheel rests perfectly in the driver’s hands, allowing for a better controlled
driving experience and upper crust pleasure. This ride quality exists across all the EX30 derivatives, the
only challenge in SA would be its uneven roads denying one the full extent of the pleasure found in
driving the Volvo EX30.
The Volvo EX30 scores some big wins with its sharp styling, gorgeous cabin and the tantalising price of
the basic Core model. This Extended Range Plus gets useful extra range for the money, and even just in
basic rear-wheel-drive form, it has impressive performance. The only downsides are the lack of rear
space and the idiosyncrasies of the touchscreen.
Pricing
EX30 Core Single Motor R775 900
EX30 Plus Single Motor Extended Range R865 900
EX30 Plus Twin Motor Performance R935 900
EX30 Ultra Single Motor Extended Range R965 900
EX30 Ultra Twin Motor Performance R995 900
Volvo EX30 is super cool in every respect
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