Now that we know the EX30, what\u2019s it like to drive? In short, it\u2019s a Volvo. That\u2019s not a bad thing \u2013 what it lacks in agility, it makes up in comfort. It floats over tattered freeway pavement with little jolting and you\u2019ll barely notice potholes or small speed bumps. It\u2019s a nice car to drive in the city or take on cross-country trips, but it\u2019d flounder on a track.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not an accident; Volvo specifically tuned in a fair amount of suspension travel to favor comfort over sport. Tesla went the other way with the Model 3, so it can nip around corners more precisely, but rides harshly on less-than-smooth roads.<\/p>\n

In terms of power and torque, the Extended Range model has enough for most drivers. With a 5.1 second 0-60 MPH time, overtaking is safe and easy at freeway speeds and acceleration is crisp and predictable in all conditions. With that model, the power pairs well with the suspension, striking a nice balance between comfort and control.<\/p>\n

The Performance version is on another level, though. With 422 horsepower and 400 pounds of torque in an EV of this size and weight, acceleration is hair-raising. In fact, it can go from 0-60 MPH in just 3.4 seconds, quicker than any Volvo to date and close to the Model 3 Performance. On tight winding roads with short passing zones, I felt confident enough to zip around trucks or buses. Freeway speed limits arrive almost too quickly, though the EX30 is limited to 180 km\/h, or about 112 MPH.<\/p>\n

Despite the power, it\u2019s no race car. The suspension is identical to the Extended Range model, which is to say, too soft for high-speed cornering. Just stomping on the pedal from a start can create some drama, as it becomes clear that the suspension isn't quite up to that level of instant torque. So, apart from the raw horsepower, it\u2019s not an enthusiast car.<\/p>\n

The EX30\u2019s Pilot Assist is reasonably advanced for a relatively inexpensive EV, offering more than just lane-keeping and collision avoidance. As on other Volvo cars, it can also change lanes automatically, make passing easier and adjust your speed to traffic. It also offers a Park Pilot Assist function that can locate spots at speeds up to 14 MPH and then park automatically. The system worked as well as any I\u2019ve tried, squeezing the car into tight spots while displaying synthesized views all around the vehicle.<\/p>\n

It also has an advanced driver alert system as standard. It can not only detect if your hands are on the wheel, it uses a special sensor that raises a warning if it thinks you\u2019re distracted, drowsy or inattentive.<\/p>\n

Wrap-up<\/h3>\n

After driving the EX30 for nearly a full day, I\u2019m impressed. While not the most nimble crossover EV, it\u2019s comfortable to drive whether you\u2019re on the freeway or city streets full of potholes. Even in the base single-motor model, the acceleration is more than anyone needs. In the dual-motor performance version, it\u2019s borderline insane. It also offers enough range for reasonably long trips, with support for decently fast charging.<\/p>\n

Volvo has more or less nailed the interior, bar a few minor complaints. It ticks all the boxes for buyers looking for an eco-friendly car, particularly the fact that Volvo says it uses 75 percent less CO2 to manufacture than its current EVs. It also uses sustainable materials in the fun but functional interior.<\/p>\n

The EX30 has a lot of competition from the likes of Tesla, Volkswagen and Chevy, though, and is at a disadvantage due to the lack of a federal tax credit. The fact that it\u2019s built in China may turn off some buyers, though as mentioned, Volvo just announced it would build some EX30s in Ghent, Belgium, starting in 2025. Still, it should appeal to a lot of consumers looking for something charming, easy to drive and relatively quick, along with fans of the Volvo brand. With all that, the EX30 should be a solid hit in North America and elsewhere.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Volvo\u2019s EX30 crossover has yet to arrive, but it's already generated a lot of interest thanks to a killer combination of a charming design and low starting price of $35,000. On top of that, it\u2019s eco-friendly to the core due to its low carbon manufacturing footprint and use of sustainable materials. There is a \u201cbut,\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":2965,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2303,2301,5023,48,159,330,1210,393,2302],"tags":[2306,2304,5024,59,162,333,1213,398,2305],"yoast_head":"\n