Volvo EX30: Compact essence of Swedish design, safety

The Volvo EX30, the Swedish automaker’s compact electric sport utility vehicle, is set to hit Korean roads, offering a blend of Swedish simplicity, practicality and the brand’s core value of safety in a compact form.

The Korea Herald test-drove the rear-wheel-drive Ultra trim — the top-tier version — on Feb. 4 on a 130-kilometer round-trip journey between Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, and Ulsan as part of a media event.

Wrapped in bright, earthy tones, the EX30’s fluid body exudes a soft, refined appeal, free from overly bold elements. The Swedish brand’s signature minimalist design is evident in the exterior of its smallest SUV, which measures 4,235 millimeters in length, 1,840 mm in width and 1,555 mm in height.

Despite its compact size, the EX30 conveys a sense of spaciousness and stability through its horizontally oriented exterior design. Even Volvo’s iconic "Thor’s Hammer" headlights have been reinterpreted, appearing elongated and thinner.

The Nordic design philosophy, centered on simplicity and spaciousness, extends to the interior as well.

While maintaining a wide stance for a compact SUV, the EX30 maximizes interior space by streamlining the cockpit layout. Only a few essential elements stand out: the steering wheel, steering column stalk that integrates the gear shifter, turn signal and wipers and a 12.3-inch center display, which provides front-row passengers ample space to adjust their posture comfortably.

The panoramic roof, covering nearly the entire cabin, further enhances the sense of openness inside.

Despite its compact size, the EX30 also offers a spacious trunk, making it a practical family car. However, the rear seat space may feel somewhat constrained for adults over 180 centimeters tall, as it provides 82 centimeters of rear legroom, less than what is available in the front row.

The ride experience was effortless, as if the car were gliding. Changes in speed were barely noticeable, with only the numbers on the center display indicating acceleration or deceleration, thanks to the quiet smoothness of the electric powertrain.

Equipped with a 66-kilowatt-hour nickel, cobalt and manganese battery, the EX30 offers a maximum driving range of up to 351 kilometers under normal conditions. Yet during the 130-kilometer test drive, the battery level decreased by just 34 percent, suggesting the car could travel approximately 390 kilometers under similar conditions.

The average temperature on the test day was minus 2 degrees Celsius, and considering that battery efficiency typically decreases in cold weather, the EX30 is expected to cover over 400 kilometers under typical conditions.

From turning on the seat heater to activating the emergency lights, nearly all functions in the cabin are controlled through the center display. However, when attempting to tap it while driving, a warning appears at the top of the screen.

An infrared sensor behind the steering wheel detected movement in the reporter’s face, recognizing distraction and displaying an alert. Instead, the driver could activate Aria, Volvo’s virtual assistant, to issue voice commands.

The infrared sensor is one of many advanced safety features Volvo claims makes the EX30 one of the most accurate in its class among premium EV models.

Twenty-two cameras, radars and ultrasonic sensors continuously monitor the vehicle’s surroundings, alerting the driver if the car drifts out of its lane, someone is approaching as a door is about to open or the vehicle veers too close to another object.

Additionally, the system can stiffen the steering wheel during abrupt lane changes or even stop the vehicle if a collision risk is detected, enhancing both safety and control.

The Ultra trim of the Volvo EX30 is priced at 51.83 million won ($35,900), while the lower-spec Core trim starts at 47.55 million won.