While it’s largely good news for anyone who fancies the car as, perhaps, their first foray into the world of electric vehicles, the Volvo EX30 isn’t without a few niggles. Unfortunately, these are mainly found hiding inside.
One of the least appealing aspects is the way that your speed is displayed on the central infotainment screen. There’s nothing immediately in front of you and no head-up display either.
It seems a little at odds with Volvo’s obsession for keeping you safe. Ditto, the foglamp button, which is also found inside the screen rather than being an easily accessed switch while adjusting the door mirrors is another.
There are also the mildly irritating audio warnings that emanate from the screen if you’ve done something wrong, according to its parameters.
The Volvo EX30 isn’t unusual in this respect, granted. Plus, there’s the indicator stalk to master, which requires a certain knack to use effectively, although this does improve the more time you spend driving the car.
That’s relatively minor stuff though and, on the whole, there’s much more to like about the Volvo EX30 interior than dislike.
The upside of the prevalence of plastic for the interior is that said components have been used imaginatively, so areas like the dashboard and door cards are made from plastic flecked with nuggets of recycled PVC windows and suchlike.
What that means is a lively interior feel that comes across as more sophisticated than you’d expect. It also feel durable and ready for the challenges coming its way from smaller family members.
Naturally, there are plenty of features and functions that lend the Volvo EX30 an innovative feel too. One of the most curious is the mid-dashboard mounted glovebox, which is basically only good for gloves and is opened via that touchscreen again.
Elsewhere though, locations for everyday things like water bottles and general stuff are generously peppered throughout the Volvo EX30, with a neat central binnacle proving perfect for large mugs.
Oddly enough, you’ll find the electric window buttons here too. A smartphone area down under the dash is handy, though.
The back seats are a little less practical than the front ones, but there’s enough room for smaller folk. Long-legged adults, though, might find the need to juggle the front seats forwards to get any real enjoyment from a motorway trek.
Likewise, the boot space isn’t huge, although Volvo’s etched ‘Will it fit?’ graphic inside gives some handy hints on what will go in between the narrow tailgate edges and what will not.
It can be boosted by dropping the back seats, from 318 litres up to 904 litres.
The Volvo EX30 is available in two equipment grades – Plus and Ultra – and either option is a good bet, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen providing the centre of attention.
The quality of this component, and everything else around it, feels quite premium, even if some of the plastic trim panels are less inspiring.
Nevertheless, the overall feeling you get being inside the Volvo EX30 is a good one with the seats being a standout feature.
There’s a two-zone climate control and air-purification system, too, which lifts the cockpit area a little more. The front seats are heated as is the steering wheel, while it’s the fixed panoramic glass sunroof that proves to be the icing on the cake.
Plus models get the benefit of dark tinted rear windows. Combined, the overall effect is very pleasing indeed.
Volvo has also revealed that an entry-level Core trim will become available at a later date, which should presumably come with an even more affordable price tag.
Centre of attention is the mid-mounted 12.3-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, which dominates the dashboard and contains most of the features and functions needed to get the best from the Volvo EX30.
In fact, there’s not much that can be done without it, so everyday necessities like being able to adjust the door mirrors must be done via the screen rather than old-school buttons or switches.
Curiously, even the decidedly compact central glovebox is opened using a button on the screen.
Aside from some of these quirks though, the screen looks great with crisp and clear graphics, and it all operates with swift Scandinavian efficiency.
That said, the Volvo EX30 employs Google for much of its functionality, which will be a boon for folks who enjoy the power of things like Google Maps.
Wireless Apple CarPlay is a highlight too, while the technology perks also come thick and fast in selected models thanks to 5G connectivity and digital key access.
Another revelation is the Harman Kardon soundbar that snuggles into the top of the dash in front of the windscreen. This is the only audio source you get in the Volvo EX30, but the quality of its construction means the sound it delivers is excellent.
Better still, the space saved by not having speakers in the doors offers up improved storage, so it actually makes an awful lot of sense.
Child seats that fit a Volvo EX30
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