What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Volvo EX30? What does it compare to?

The 2025 Volvo EX30 is the Swedish brand’s smallest electric crossover, slotting in below the XC40 Recharge. It’s smaller than the Polestar 3, Tesla Model Y, and Genesis GV60.

Is the 2025 Volvo EX30 a good SUV?

We won’t know until we drive it some time next year, but Volvo intends to market the battery electric vehicle as an affordable small urban crossover with a range of up to 275 miles. It emphasizes efficiency while not skimping on features, and sustainability by having the lowest carbon footprint of any Volvo ever built. Combine that with the design and low starting price, and it already appeals to us. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

What’s new for the 2025 Volvo EX30?

The EX30 looks the part of a new Volvo, with a pixelated take on Thor’s headlights binding the front ends of the small crossover with short overhangs. A tall, flat face stamped with the Volvo badge is split with a diagonal line drawing the tuck of the lower bumper up into the crease of the hood. Scalloped door panels run parallel with a high belt line that creates broad shoulders holding up the greenhouse. A black floating roof makes it look, in profile, like a more proportional take on the rounded BMW i3 but in classic Volvo wagon style. In back, split rear taillights climb up the sides, with a C-shape clamping the badge over the tailgate.     

As with other Volvo Cross Country models, the EX30 Cross Country rides a bit higher and has more of an off-road theme, with skid plates on the front, rear, and side, as well as black panels on the front and rear bumpers. It’ll ride on 19-inch wheels, though 18-inch wheels with distinct tires are available. If that doesn’t set it apart, the small Swedish flag on the hood should do the trick. 

The EX30 can be had with four interior “rooms” with distinct expressions and varying degrees of sustainability. Volvo noted a denim room composed in part of waste material from the denim recycling process. Recycled plastic made of old window frames, responsibly sourced wood, fiber made of flax seed, upholstery made in part of recycled water bottles, and other reused materials highlight the differences on the interior. 

A 12.3-inch touchscreen oriented vertically and flanked by vertical vents highlight dash. Volvo says it moved the glovebox to beneath the touchscreen. There does not appear to be an instrument cluster, similar to Tesla models. With a flat floor, the EX30 features a sliding center console with a lower storage shelf, and a storage box slides out to the rear so rear passengers can stow valuables. 

The EX30 will come in two powertrain choices, with a single-motor rear-wheel-drive model serving as the base model. A nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery chemistry reported to be 69 kwh in size promises an estimated range of 275 miles. 

A dual-motor all-wheel-drive model represents the biggest development leap for Volvo. This Twin Motor model has an output of 422 hp, and a quoted 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds, which is the quickest production vehicle ever. 

Volvo says the AWD version can DC fast charge from 10-80% in about 27 minutes at a peak rate of up to 153 kw.

Full dimensions were not available at press time, but Volvo says its low center of gravity and even weight distribution result in some “nimbleness” in the city.

Volvo rolls out its latest safety features with an automatic emergency braking system that detects pedestrians and cyclists. A new system alerts exiting passengers to possible dooring incidents from approaching cyclists, scooters, or runners. It also features an updated version of Volvo’s park assist that helps drivers wedge into parallel, perpendicular, or diagonal spots by taking over steering, throttle, and brake inputs.