Volvo EX30 Review: Promising Electric SUV Needs Software Refinement

The Volvo EX30 is a new compact electric SUV that aims to bring Volvo's premium feel and safety reputation to a more affordable price point. After an extensive test drive in Germany and Austria, the EX30 shows a lot of promise but also reveals that Volvo still has work to do before the vehicle is fully ready for market.

Design and Interior

The EX30's exterior design is attractive and distinctively Volvo, with clean lines and signature lighting elements. It's compact but doesn't feel cramped inside thanks to clever packaging. The interior uses recycled and sustainable materials that give a premium feel appropriate for the price point. The minimalist dashboard is dominated by a large central touchscreen.

Some key interior features:

• No speakers in doors, but surprisingly good sound from central soundbar
• Spacious front seats with good adjustment range
• Tight but usable rear seats
• Decent cargo space for the vehicle's size
• Panoramic glass roof adds to airy feel

Overall, the interior design and quality impressed for this segment, though some may find it too minimalist.

Powertrain and Performance

The test vehicle was the top-spec dual motor performance version with around 400 horsepower. Key powertrain details:

• 69 kWh battery (64 kWh usable)
• Dual motor AWD with 315 kW / ~422 hp
• 0-60 mph in low 4 second range
• 180 km/h (112 mph) top speed

Acceleration is very strong, especially from a standstill. The EX30 uses a unique drivetrain setup with a disconnecting front motor. This allows it to operate as RWD most of the time for efficiency, connecting the front motor when more power is needed.

However, this system needs refinement:

• Noticeable delay when requesting full power as front motor engages
• Inconsistent pedal feel between RWD and AWD modes
• Some drivetrain noise and vibration issues (may be pre-production)

Handling is nimble for an SUV thanks to the compact size and low center of gravity. The suspension is on the soft side but body control is good. Steering lacks feel but is precise.

Technology and Software

The EX30 uses an Android Automotive-based infotainment system with Google services built-in. The system is generally responsive and intuitive to use. However, several software issues were encountered:

• No display of charging speed when plugged in
• Inconsistent operation of driver assistance features
• Missing energy consumption data
• Inaccurate speed limit detection in some areas

The driver assistance systems work well when functioning properly, with smooth adaptive cruise control and lane centering. But their operation was inconsistent at times.

Most concerning was a complete electrical system shutdown that occurred during spirited driving. While Volvo claims this was an isolated incident, it raises questions about the system's robustness.

Efficiency and Range

Despite some hard driving, efficiency was reasonable:

• Around 17-18 kWh/100km (3.6-3.8 mi/kWh) at 120 km/h (75 mph)
• Likely 250-300 km (155-186 mile) real-world highway range

The EX30 seems relatively efficient for its size and performance level. More extensive range testing is needed for a full picture.

Areas for Improvement

While the core vehicle shows promise, several areas need refinement before launch:

• Throttle calibration and pedal feel
• Drivetrain NVH, especially front motor engagement
• Software stability and feature completeness
• Driver assistance system consistency
• Charging speed display and route planning

Many of these could potentially be addressed via software updates. However, Volvo doesn't have a strong track record of extensive post-launch feature additions, so a delay to fully sort the vehicle may be preferable.

Conclusion

The Volvo EX30 has the potential to be an excellent compact electric SUV. Its mix of style, performance, and expected affordability is compelling. However, the vehicle tested felt more like a late-stage prototype than a production-ready model.

If Volvo can refine the software, calibration, and quality control, the EX30 could be a standout in the growing compact electric SUV segment. But based on this early drive, more development time is needed to fully realize the vehicle's potential.

For now, the EX30 is a promising but not yet fully baked entry into the electric vehicle market from Volvo. Potential buyers should wait for reviews of final production models before making a purchase decision.

Article created from: https://youtu.be/RAl43bcR3TE?feature=shared