Sometimes you’ll notice the symmetry in vehicles that get sold in both left-hand drive markets and right-hand drive markets. A good old example of this was the Toyota Echo that became the Toyota Yaris. To cut costs, there was just one simple instrument cluster in the center of the dashboard that could be angled toward the driver depending on your home market.
In electric vehicles, we first saw this in the Tesla Model Y. Volvo is taking a page from that playbook in the new EX30. Swedish design applauds minimalism, and the latest all-electric EX30 is the minimalist leader. You’ll just find one large infotainment “iPad” in the center of the dashboard, switches on the steering wheel, and a couple of power window switches that can be toggled to control the front or rear windows. That’s it.
It is still wild for me to see the hazard lights switch on an LCD display. Off the bat, I have to say this setup is not for me. I need some physical switchgear. But from a design standpoint, the interior of the small electric Volvo looks amazing. If you like a clean aesthetic, this is your ride.
Small Scandinavian, Small Environmental Footprint
According to Volvo, the EX30 is designed to be as safe as other Volvos and has the smallest CO₂ footprint of any Volvo car to date. Jim Rowan, CEO, notes, “The fully electric EX30 might be our smallest ever SUV, but it’s a big deal for our customers and a big deal for us as a company. We like to say the EX30 is small yet mighty, because it delivers on everything you’d want from a Volvo but in a smaller package. Like any Volvo, it’s an outstanding product which is safe and designed around people and their needs. We want to make people’s lives safer, more convenient, and more enjoyable through cutting-edge technology and Scandinavian design.”
My tester was the quick Twin Motor with the addition of the Cross Country package that adds a small lift, knobbier tires, skid plates, wheel arch extensions, and a special front shield. This proved very helpful with an impending snowstorm. But for those who want to maximize range, there is a Single Motor Extended Range variant with less aggressive tires. Both feature NMC nickel metal cobalt battery composition. The single-motor extended-range option gives you an estimated range of 275 miles between charges, whereas my tester would be comfortable at just over 200 miles before range anxiety starts to kick in.
Good Handling
Even with the small lift and aggressive tires on my tester, I enjoyed the road-holding ability of the EX30. The vehicle was designed to keep its weight low so handling would be improved. Rowan notes, “To support the best possible driving experience, we’ve tuned the chassis of the EX30 to make the most of the car’s compact dimensions. Its low center of gravity, as well as its relatively low and evenly distributed weight, are complemented by ease of driving and nimbleness in the city and beyond.”
Easy City Parking
The EX30 flaunts the newest version of Park Pilot Assist to help park in tight city streets. It can handle all types of parking spaces, including parallel, curved, perpendicular and diagonal fishbone-style, making parking in tight spaces a breeze. When called up, Park Pilot Assist will identify any available parking spots around you. Then, once you’ve tapped the one you want in the new 3D user interface, the feature will operate the throttle and brake as well as the steering.
While you supervise the parking process, the screen shows the distance to objects such as cars, walls and parking bollards. Once you arrive at your spot, the Volvo keeps an eye out for bikers in bike lanes zipping by so you don’t accidentally open the door into them. This is necessary as cities add more bike lanes and e-bikes are attaining the speeds of motorcycles.
Pretty Interior
Without the usual buttons or switchgear, your eyes are immediately drawn to your surroundings, and the EX30 is a nice place to be with new materials and textures that set it apart from other cars. There are recycled and renewable materials such as denim, flax and wool. I really liked the aluminum door pulls that feel like an expensive sculpture. The dash is made of a textured material recycled out of old window frames.
The designer of the interior, Lisa Reeves, says, “The Volvo EX30 combines all the best elements of Scandinavian design. New materials add creative textures, color and personality to the cabin, while smart functionality and a great user experience are the hallmark of every true Volvo creation. Together, these elements distill the essence of a Volvo into a small package.”
Soundbar
The audio system is made by Harman Kardon. The company took a page from its home audio offerings and developed a large soundbar that goes across the dashboard. Volvo says the soundbar negates the need for door-mounted speakers to maximize space in the door panels.
“Our soundbar in the EX30, the first of its kind, is inspired by home audio design. It brings several speakers together into one soundbar and fills the entire cabin with premium sound. The soundbar is a great instance of smart design by clustering speakers together within one component and reducing the amount of wiring and material. At first, you might not even notice it, located under the windshield and seamlessly integrated into the cockpit design.”
The soundbar sounds good and does a good job of imaging.
One Screen for All
The centralization theme inside the EX30 is represented by the single 12.3-inch center screen, positioned in the center of the dashboard, which contains all relevant information. Tom Stovicek, head of UX, notes, “Putting everything into a single screen means we can create a feeling of space around the driver, as well as save on materials. On the single screen, key driving information such as speed and charge levels are positioned prominently at the top, with navigation, media and controls easily visible and accessible below. We also include a contextual bar that gives you the most relevant functions for your needs at any time.”
It also gives space for the Volvo “attentiveness nanny.” The camera makes sure you are paying attention to the road, and glancing away gives you a warning beep. It can be adjusted, but it is bothersome.
The EX30 starts at $34,950, but my loaded tester climbed quickly to $53K. It is still comparable to its competitors in the price department. The EX30 has cutting-edge design and technology. If you live in a city and want something different coupled with Volvo safety, take a look at the EX30.
