Cover The Volvo EX30 comes in two variants: the single motor Ultra and dual motor Ultra Twin Performance
The Volvo EX30 comes in two variants: the single motor Ultra and dual motor Ultra Twin Performance
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Volvo’s EX30 is its smallest SUV to date and while it may be compact in size, it’s a powerhouse of thoughtful design, electric performance, and future-forward features
If the future of driving is electric, then Volvo’s EX30 is a compelling signpost pointing the way forward. It is compact yet capable, understated but innovative, and every bit as urban as it is unconventional. I managed to get my hands on the Ultra Twin Performance variant recently for a test drive, and long story short, in true Scandinavian fashion, this is a car that doesn’t shout, it reasons with quiet confidence.
Read more: In pictures: Volvo unveils the all-new EX30
Volvo’s smallest SUV to date might be diminutive in stature, but it’s hardly shy when it comes to performance or personality. At just over 4.2 metres long, the EX30 wears its compact proportions well, embracing its city-dweller DNA with a sculpted silhouette that’s part minimalist sculpture, part athletic commuter. The high beltline and subtly flared shoulders lend it presence, while short overhangs and aerodynamic lines ensure it looks just as comfortable pulling into a padel court as it does parked outside a boardroom.
Above The Volvo EX30’s high beltline and sculpted silhouette give this compact SUV a presence well beyond its size
The Volvo EX30’s high beltline and sculpted silhouette give this compact SUV a presence well beyond its size
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The styling is clean and contemporary—no surprises there—but Volvo manages to inject just enough tension to keep things interesting. The signature “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights are striking, and the closed grille reminds you this is a vehicle of the battery-powered future. Around the back, split vertical tail lights extend the visual height of the vehicle, giving it a sense of upright confidence. It’s a car that blends in just enough, while still hinting at something a little smarter.
The EX30’s dashboard is a masterclass in minimalism, anchored by a single central touchscreen that controls nearly everything
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Step inside, and the EX30 delivers on that promise of quiet intelligence. The cabin is an exercise in modern restraint, with simplicity driving the experience, sometimes to a fault. There’s no traditional instrument cluster; all information is funnelled through the central 12.3-inch touchscreen. Even the glovebox must be summoned virtually. The windows? Operated via switches relocated to the centre console. It’s a design decision likely to divide opinion—clever in terms of cost and production, perhaps less so for user intuitiveness. That said, for drivers comfortable in the digital world, the interface is fast, responsive and well laid out.
Above Inside, the cabin is outfitted with recycled materials like denim, plastics and polyester
Inside, the cabin is outfitted with recycled materials like denim, plastics and polyester
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Volvo is proud of its sustainable approach here, and rightly so. The use of recycled denim, plastic, and polyester is thorough, not tokenistic. Paired with ambient lighting themes inspired by Swedish landscapes, the cabin feels as thoughtfully composed as a Scandi Airbnb. Practicality hasn’t been overlooked either: there’s wireless charging, deep door pockets, configurable centre storage, and a respectable boot space of 318 litres (or 718 litres with the seats down). Even the Harman Kardon sound system is cleverly integrated into a dashboard-mounted soundbar, freeing up door space and adding a premium audio experience in one clean sweep.
But how does it drive? In short: delightfully. Don’t let the size fool you. The EX30’s top-tier Twin Motor Performance variant boasts 428hp and 543Nm of torque—numbers that wouldn’t look out of place in a hot hatch or a midsize sports saloon. Zero to 100km/h takes just 3.6 seconds, making it the fastest-accelerating Volvo ever (The single-motor EX30 Ultra does the same in 5.3 seconds). Yet this isn’t a car that feels eager to show off. Its power delivery is smooth, its acceleration confident without being brash. The handling is light and agile, with responsive steering that makes weaving through traffic almost enjoyable.
Above A full suite of cameras, radars, and sensors gives it 360-degree environmental awareness
A full suite of cameras, radars, and sensors gives it 360-degree environmental awareness
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Where the EX30 really earns its city stripes is in the tech department. Volvo has long been synonymous with safety, and the EX30 raises the bar again. A full suite of cameras, radars, and sensors gives it 360-degree environmental awareness. Park Pilot Assist makes tight parallel parking or awkward mall ramps a hands-free breeze. Add in Google Built-in, improved semi-autonomous Pilot Assist, and a raft of driver aids, and you have a car that’s not only smart—it’s thoughtful.
Battery range is more than respectable. The 69kWh NMC battery delivers up to 476 km for the single-motor variant and 450 km for the dual-motor version. It supports 175kW DC fast charging, with a 10 to 80 per cent top-up achievable in just 28 minutes—perfect for a pit stop between meetings or a mid-day recharge on longer drives.
Don’t miss: Mandy Gioh and the Volvo EX30: KL’s creative force with a drive for excellence
Above From the side, muscular shoulders and large 19-inch wheels hint at the performance lurking beneath the minimalist shell
From the side, muscular shoulders and large 19-inch wheels hint at the performance lurking beneath the minimalist shell
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Of course, no car is perfect. The minimalism may feel too pared-back for those who prefer physical controls, and the panoramic roof—while lovely—can get a little warm under the Malaysian sun for too long. But these feel like minor trade-offs in what is otherwise a tightly considered package.
Above The front fascia features a signature closed grille and “Thor’s Hammer” LED lights, a nod to Volvo’s clean design language
The front fascia features a signature closed grille and “Thor’s Hammer” LED lights, a nod to Volvo’s clean design language
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More than just a new model, the EX30 feels like a recalibration of what a premium compact SUV can be. It’s not about excess but about intelligence, sustainability, and design that doesn’t try too hard. It’s a car for those who appreciate subtlety over swagger, and who want their daily drive to feel just a little more meaningful.
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Credits
Photography: Fady Younis
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Sim Wie Boon is the general manager of Tatler Malaysia. Previously the print and digital editor, Sim hails from the land of the hornbills, Sarawak. Sim is now based in Kuala Lumpur and brings more than a decade of experience in the media industry as a journalist and broadcast producer.
As a self-proclaimed geriatric millennial, he appreciates the finer things in life, from savouring a sip of single malt whisky to relishing in the deliciousness of char siew. While reminiscing about the indie-sleaze era, Sim now finds solace in the soothing tunes of ambient music, staying active through running and occasionally succumbing to the addictive world of doom scrolling.
Follow him on Instagram or Threads at @simwb
