I’m not exactly new to luxury electric vehicles, but the 2025 Volvo EX30 was the second Volvo SUV I’ve ever driven. The EX30 EV proves to be full of surprises. It goes beyond holding its weight against class rivals. 

How much range does the Volvo EX30 have? 

The Volvo EX30 has an estimated range of up to 261 miles on a single charge. Meanwhile, the  Tesla Model Y has a range of up to 357 miles. 

However, the EX30 is extremely efficient. On my first day with this EV, I went cruising along the Blue Ridge Parkway for 40 minutes. With speeds of between 45 to 55 miles per hour, I only lost five miles of range. 

The regenerative brakes consistently add more charge to the battery to preserve its range. Plus, blasting the AC, windshield wipers, and radio didn’t impact its range. Using tech in the Subaru Solterra instantly killed 20 miles of charge. 

I also took a two and a half hour road trip from Asheville, NC, to Rock Hill, SC. The trip was 130 miles. I left with 199 miles of range and ended up with 106 miles at the finish line. 

I know that most of the trip was going down a mountain, and that did help recharge the batteries. However, it also held its range extremely well on backcountry roads. 

Rivian recently installed DC fast chargers near my home. I’ve never been able to charge an EV as quickly as the EX30 charged, but I’m unsure if Volvo or Rivian gets the credit. I’m used to EV Go chargers that often don’t even work. 

How is driving the EX30? 

Driving the Volvo EX30 provides a satisfyingly smooth, comfortable, and athletic performance. For example, according to Edmunds, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds. It’s faster than the Tesla Model Y, and passing other drivers is extremely easy. 

I thought the steering was too heavy and controlling at first, but the settings are easy to adjust. This EV provides a smooth and seamless braking experience. In other electric cars and PHEVs, the brakes often feel heavy and wheezy. It’s smoother than the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Thanks to a convenient size and tight turning radius, the Volvo EX30 fits anywhere. It’s extremely smooth, and the interior is quiet as well. 

A few potential EX30 drawbacks: 

• The 2025 Volvo EX30 doesn’t have a digital gauge cluster. Everything is displayed on the infotainment system in the center of the dashboard. It’s distracting to glance over at your speed and range. 
• There are no physical controls at all. You sit in the SUV with the key fob to start it up. Then you just get out and walk away to turn it off. But the touchscreen system has a great layout with preset options. You don’t have to dig through menus. 
• The distracted driver warning beeps every five seconds, even as you look forward with both hands on the wheel. I got dinged a lot for looking over at the infotainment system to see my speed. 
• The interior is a bit underwhelming for a luxury vehicle with more plastics than expected. But the EX30 starts at $46,195 starts at $36,245 so it does provide substantial savings. Also, the $7,500 federal tax credit is ending.
• Cargo space and passenger space are limited. The front seats have plenty of adjustment controls, but tall people might feel cramps. Shorter passengers don’t have room in the rear. Also, there is a lack of storage spaces to take advantage of. Consider the Hyundai Ioniq 5 for more space.
• That shade of Moss Yellow paint isn’t very conspicuous for such a fast SUV!!!