Volvo EX30 small electric SUV revealed, pricing confirmed for Australia ahead of late 2023 arrival

The Volvo EX30 has been revealed as the entry point to the expanding EV lineup for the Swedish brand.

The all-new, all-electric Volvo EX30 SUV has been priced from $59,990 plus on-road costs ahead of first customer deliveries late in 2023.

The EX30 is Volvo’s first electric car build from the ground up on a dedicated EV architecture; the C40 and XC40 have both been adapted to the platform of an ICE vehicle.

The five-door Volvo EX30 has a clean, modern look very much in keeping with the brand’s design direction.

Distinctive “Thor’s hammer” headlights and LED tail lights characterise the look, while a contrasting black roof and high ride height reinforce the SUV proportions.

The EX30 will be offered in three model grades for Australia, all of them using the larger 69kWh battery pack (a smaller battery is offered in overseas markets).

“With the EX30 we enter a new, growing segment – the small, fully electric luxury SUV,” says Stephen Connor, managing director of Volvo Car Australia. “The EX30 offers a strong value proposition to a new audience in the Australian car market which is increasingly embracing EVs.

“The EX30 will further drive our accelerated Australian strategy of being an all-electric car company by 2026.”

The EX30 Single Motor Extended Plus is the entry point, at $59,990 plus on-road costs.

It gets a single electric motor making 200kW and 343Nm and driving the rear wheels. The WLTP range is 480km.

Standard equipment includes a powered tailgate, wireless phone charging and 19-inch alloy wheels. The EX30 also uses near field communications (NFC) so that a smartphone can be used as a key.

There’s also a 12.3-inch infotainment system operated by Google Automotive, complete with embedded apps and over-the-air software updates. Plus it gets a Harman Kardon soundbar audio system that stretches speakers across the dashboard with the aim of broadening the soundspace.

Then there’s an EX30 Single Motor Extended Ultra, which uses the same rear-drive single motor setup but adds a 360-degree camera, tinted rear windows, heated steering wheel and front seats and a panoramic sunroof.

At the top of the EX30 lineup is the Twin Performance Ultra, which adds a front motor for a combined output of 315kW and 543Nm. The WLTP range is 460km and it’s claimed to accelerate to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds.

Despite its diminutive dimensions, the EX30 weighs a nuggety 2.3 tonnes in twin motor guise.

Its bespoke EV design maximises interior space, especially in the back seats (where there is a flat floor) and there are some clever storage solutions in the cabin, including a sliding drawer in the centre console.

Volvo EX30 Cross Country for 2024

Volvo also revealed an adventure-focused Cross Country version of the EX30.

The EX30 Cross Country will go into production late in 2024 with a higher ride height, black design highlights and skid plates to reinforce its off-road intentions.

There are also unique wheels, including available 18-inch wheels with tyres designed for gravel roads.