2025 Volvo EX30 review, first drive - your first luxury car?

It's been a while since we've seen a small Volvo in India. The V40 from a few years ago was meant to give you some of that thoughtful Scandinavian luxury in a small package, but since it left, you have been limited to largely German options in this entry luxury segment. The Volvo EX30 is meant to fill that gap, it also happens to be an EV and a complete do-over for Volvo.

2025 Volvo EX30  Styling, boot space, ground clearance

The Volvo EX30 has that slightly ambiguous look that makes it difficult to fit into a segment. It's about as large as any of these entry-level luxury cars at 4,233 mm long. But it can't quite be called a hatch and isn't SUV enough (height 1,549 mm) to be termed a crossover. But that also makes it distinct, especially since it carries Volvo's newest design theme. The new light design stands out the most on a fairly blank face and the cooling vents have been smartly integrated into the look.

In profile, the EX30 does well to attract attention within its compact footprint. The large 19-inch wheels give it a big helping of presence and despite its shape, ground clearance is a good 171 mm. The flat lines, good 1,837 mm width and clean surfaces give it that functional Ikea-like vibe that works. There's a bit of flair with the upturned glass area and coupe-like roof.

The rear is a smart angle for the EX30 with the split vertical tail lamps adding a new take to the traditional Volvo layout. You have just the right degree of flash with the sloping windscreen and plastic trim along with the large Volvo lettering.

The frunk is quite small for a born-electric vehicle at 7 litres and can only really hold the charging cable. The boot though is spacious. You have a wide opening and a deep, square space. You can also lower the floor to open up the full 381 litres which can increase to 918 litres with the second row folded. The cabin dimensions in the boot lid are a neat easter egg.

2025 Volvo EX30 Interior, screens, practicality, rear seat

The EX30 takes Volvo's clean, minimal cabin theme quite a bit further. Like many BEVs, it has that open, airy feel in the front seats with the low sill, open centre console and deep firewall. Like many new cars you have simple contoured dash surfaces, no buttons to speak of and a large central screen.

Most surfaces are soft and well padded with the kind of finish and heft you expect from a Volvo. As before, there's heavy use of recycled materials. You notice this most with the speckled band that runs through the middle of the cabin. It is textured but maybe could have felt a touch more premium. There is a denim-like option available internationally that may have been a better fit. But otherwise, all the controls are damped correctly, especially the hefty door latches, and there's no feeling of cost cutting even in the lower reaches of the cabin.

As you may have noticed, the EX30 doesn't have a driver's instrument cluster. Instead, it has taken quite a minimal turn with the speed and ADAS graphics integrated into the vertical 12.3-inch screen, somewhat like a Tesla. This seems quite odd at first, but you do get used to it quicker than you expect, although a HUD display may have made life easier. Also similar to a Tesla, you adjust the door mirrors through the screen which can get confusing sometimes.

The 12.3-inch screen is the same Android-based system you see in other Volvo cars but updated to include more functions and with a more modern interface than say the XC90. It's quick, responsive and intuitive but you only get Apple CarPlay, so Android users will have to set up their profiles in the car to access all of their data. The climate menus have been made more usable but the lack of buttons can still be a bit of a hassle on the move.

There is quite a bit more to this minimalism. You have no buttons or controls on the doors. The speakers are in a soundbar near the windscreen, the mirrors adjust through the screen and steering wheel, and even the window controls are in the centre console. These are quite annoying with their switch function for the rear and look a bit too much like cost cutting. But the smart single-button seat adjustment, hidden glovebox and cup-holders cover for this by feeling innovative and inviting.

The EX30 has a good 2,650 mm wheelbase but the packaging seems to be more to Western sensibilities. So while you have good space in the front and the boot, the back seats are quite cramped. The floor is slightly high and the bench quite short, so even if you are of average height you will want more thigh support. There could also be more legroom, a fact highlighted by the tight space under the front seats for your feet. But the seatback is quite comfortable and nicely contoured.

With the glass roof you have an open feel despite the slightly small windows. There's also good headroom if you are under 6 feet tall. In any case, Volvo will offer a sunshade as an accessory to block out the heat. Some amenities that we now take for granted like a rear AC vent and a centre armrest are missing. Here too, you have centrally placed window switches although you get a neat storage tray and other large useful cubbies.

2025 Volvo EX30 features and safety

The Harman Kardon soundbar is a smart replacement but does not quite have the effect of speakers placed closer to you in the cabin. The EX30 misses ventilated seats but otherwise is well equipped. You get ambient lighting, PM 2.5 air filter, ultra wideband key, powered tailgate, dual-zone climate control and a 12.3-inch screen.

As you might expect from a Volvo, safety is top tier. The ADAS is a notable improvement over previous Volvos in how it detects and responds to obstacles. The cameras are especially clear and you have a 5-star Euro NCAP rating.

2025 Volvo EX30 battery, range, charging, performance

The Volvo EX30 is based on the SEA architecture that is also seen in many other cars in the Geely family. It packs quite a large 69 kWh battery pack that gives it 480 km of WLTP range. We think this should be good for 380 to 400 km in the real world. The max DC fast charging speed is 175 kW while you can AC charge at 11 kW.

The EX30 is powered by a single motor at the rear that makes 272 PS and 342 Nm. It is quite a brisk machine because of this, doing the 0 to 100 kmph run in a claimed 5.3 seconds.

2025 Volvo EX30 driving impressions

Getting in and driving the EX30 feels as simple as the rest of the car feels so far. You walk up to it, tap the key card, slot it on the charging pad and you're off in a peaceful, linear manner. But with the performance on offer, you can get a move on when you want to. Even at say 80 kmph, you get strong acceleration that will take you up to serious speeds.

The EX30 feels quite approachable with the way you sit. It's not like a full-blown SUV, but there's just enough height here to let you place this car in traffic confidently. The visibility is good too, as is the car's overall footprint.

In keeping with that decluttered theme of the EX30, you have nothing in the way of drive modes or regen modes. You do get a one-pedal driving mode that will bring the car to a complete halt. But it is not as strong as some other EVs that seem to add a lot of resistance to the drivetrain. Without one-pedal driving, you just have a standard light regen level.

That being said, it could have been a bit stronger in this mode. You realize when you slow down from a higher speed, you have to be mindful of the sheer heft of the car and the fact that there is no engine braking to help out. This will be something to get used to.

As for the steering modes, we think it is best to leave it in the firm setting. The other modes seem to become quite light and may be best suited for very low speed parking manoeuvres.

The EX30 has the dynamic advantage of the weight being low in the chassis and of being rear wheel drive. That more neutral, tied down feeling comes through and gives you good confidence behind the wheel. But you realize that it really does not like to be pushed hard. The steering and body movements become less predictable the more you try to push this car to its limits. It is at its best when you are relaxed and smooth with it, which also goes with its demeanour.

With all of these born-electric EVs, the one thing you notice is just how cohesive they feel on the move. The EX30 does the same thing. So you have this calm, composed nature when you are moving along at higher speeds. It feels tight, tied down and solid. Even with the 19-inch wheels and the heft of this car, Volvo has managed to tune the ride well for our conditions. Over the small, sharp undulations you might find on smoother roads, it is never jarring. We also drove it over some broken patches, where you are thrown around a bit, but it is never an unsure experience.

2025 Volvo EX30 expected price, verdict

The Volvo EX30 is locally assembled which should make it well priced, and we think it should come in under Rs 50 lakh. This small Volvo may be missing some features and the rear seats may not be the most comfortable and it is not an SUV. But there are few cars like it in the market that don't fit in a box. This in itself adds a good dose of charm. It also looks great, feels plush on the move and delivers good range.