Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Efficiency Extremely
Specs
Class: Subcompact Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: China
Shade: Moss Yellow
Miles pushed: 201
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A- |
| Energy and Efficiency | A |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Financial system | A |
| Worth | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | B |
| Tall Man | B+ |
| Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 442-horsepower |
| Engine Sort | Electrical motors |
| Transmission | Automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Battery capability: 64 kWh
EPA-estimate MPGe: 116 metropolis/100 hwy/109 mixed
EPA-estimated driving vary: 253 miles
Shopper Information vary estimate (very best circumstances): 253+ miles
Cost Port Location: Rear driver-side fender
Snow Efficiency: N/A
Base worth (2024): $46,600 (not together with $1295 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Local weather Package deal ($500)
Worth as examined: $48,395
Professionals and Cons
The nice: Trendy design, wonderful energy, enjoyable to drive
The nice: Fairly priced, roomy cabin
The not so good: No old-school speedometer, middling vary
Evaluate
There are literally two methods I might have opened this evaluation. One addresses how delighted I’m by the brand new Volvo EX30’s contemporary design, the opposite particulars this poor automobile’s tough journey to america. However, within the curiosity of speaking in regards to the product first, we are going to handle the little electrical Volvo’s tariff woes momentarily.
New and Recent
So, the excellent news first: The EX30 is definitely one of many newest-feeling automobiles I’ve pushed in years. Now, 2025 has been a banner 12 months for brand new rides. I rank among the many finest automobiles I’ve pushed this 12 months the Kia K4 small sedan, Lincoln Nautilus premium midsize crossover, Subaru Forester Hybrid, and the Toyota Crown Signia. However, that stated, I’m most impressed by this pleasant little Sino-Swede.
Design
Volvo’s all-new subcompact electrical crossover appears to be like enjoyable and easy on the skin, and boasts one of the crucial elegantly easy cabins available on the market. If you happen to’re conversant in Tesla cabins, what had been speaking about right here, although the Volvo inside comes off as extra trendy, and fewer austere.
Tariffs
There’s one other story right here…and it has a tragic ending. However, not too unhappy.
When Volvo first supposed to introduce the EX30 in the summertime of 2024, the Chinese language-built automobile was slated to begin at simply $36,245 (together with vacation spot cost), this for a single-motor, base mannequin. However for quite a lot of causes, the small electrical Volvo is simply trickling into U.S. showrooms as this evaluation is printed—a few 12 months and a half not on time.
Chinese language EVs
Through the manufacturing delay, a 100-percent tariff on Chinese language-built EVs was enacted by the Biden administration, and has remained in impact beneath the present presidential regime. As these import taxes are prohibitive, Volvo rapidly moved to switch EX30 manufacturing from China to a manufacturing unit in Ghent, Belgium.
Belgium
Whereas the manufacturing transfer does permit Volvo to dodge the Chinese language-car tariff, it does increase the priced of manufacturing the EX30, on account of larger European Union (EU) labor prices. Thus, we are going to by no means see a $36,000 EX30 within the States. For the second, Volvo will solely import from Belgium the topline Twin Motor Efficiency Extremely. And, all issues thought-about, it represents spectacular worth. Be aware that our check automobile, as depicted right here, was among the many few EX30s imported to the U.S. from China. Per Volvo, customers won’t discover a distinction between automobiles assembled in China and Europe.
However sufficient backstory. Let’s discuss driving the EX30…
Check Automobile
Shopper Information’s check automobile—seen right here in Moss Yellow—got here to $48,395 together with vacation spot cost. Our check automobile’s solely possibility was the $500 Local weather Package deal.
Trim Ranges
For 2026, a barely less-expensive Plus trim degree will probably be added to the lineup, as will a rugged Cross Nation variant. Each will function dual-motor AWD. The Cross Nation will function off-road themed trim, in addition to a small improve in experience peak for added floor clearance. The initially scheduled single-motor base mannequin is not in Volvo’s plans for the U.S.
Cabin
Getting into the EX30 is an thrilling journey into the long run. The simplicity of the design, the dearth of bodily switchgear, and common openness contribute to the feeling of futurism come to life. To some extent, the cabin’s simplicity is a perform of Volvo’s efforts to maintain manufacturing prices of the EX30 down, however the internet impact in fairly constructive.
Touchscreen and Controls
Virtually each management is positioned on the touchscreen, with local weather features positioned on the backside of the display. The often array of redundant controls may be discovered on the steering wheel.
Moreover, there isn’t any conventional instrument panel positioned in entrance of the motive force, as a substitute, velocity and vary data is displayed on the console touchscreen. Whereas we typically want precise knobs, switches, and speedometers, we rapidly acclimated to the EX30 setup.
Trip and Dealing with
Underway the EX30 is a delight. The little EV is amazingly fast, and is all types of enjoyable to drive. After we say the ’30 handles nicely, we don’t imply within the conventional, hunkered-down, sports-car idiom, however in a spunkier, light-on-its-feet kind of method. People who keep in mind how Volkswagens of the Eighties felt to drive will know what we’re speaking about. That stated, we’d respect just a little extra really feel and heft from the steering.
Energy and Efficiency
As for energy, the EX30 boasts an abundance. The twin-motor setup is rated at 422 horsepower, and helps the little Volvo dash to 60 mph from a cease in lower than 4 seconds. A 64-kWh battery is the one power-storage possibility, and within the case of our check automobile yields an EPA-estimated 253 miles of vary. Throughout our fair-weather testing, that vary estimate proved to be conservative.
Charging
As it will develop into a problem—or not less than consideration—transferring ahead, notice that the EX30 is supplied with a standard CCS cost port, and isn’t but outfitted with the trending NACS system which permits entry to the Tesla Supercharger Community, although a easy adapter fixes that drawback.
Worth
Truthfully, although Volvo wasn’t in a position to retail the EX30 for round $35,000, we discover this loaded instance at beneath $50,000 a fairly compelling worth. We wouldn’t thoughts just a little extra vary, and possibly the controls have been over simplified, however we’re in any other case charmed by this straightforward, fun-to-drive, character-packed little Swede. If it is available in at an identical worth, the 2026 Cross Nation could also be much more fascinating.
And whereas it’s a disgrace that the tariff scenario has restricted Volvo’s plans for this feisty and futuristic electrical automobile, we’re simply glad it acquired right here in any respect.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2025 Volvo EX30 Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged pictures
