Volvo EX30 arrives in Mzansi as the marque's most affordable EV

Volvo unveiled its new EX30 electric compact SUV in South Africa on Thursday.

It is the most affordable electric vehicle (EV) from the Swedish stable, with a starting price of R775,900 and the top of the range model offers sportscar-like performance with its ability to silently whisk from 0-100km/h in a claimed 3.6 seconds — the fastest Volvo yet.

EVs remain significantly more expensive than internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, which is why their sales remain low, but the EX30 is one of a handful of battery-powered cars in South Africa priced below R1m.

South Africa is one of the first countries where the EX30 is going on sale, Greg Maruszewski, MD of Volvo Car SA, told TimesLIVE at the unveiling in Johannesburg. Launched globally in June 2023, the compact premium crossover is part of the Swedish brand’s drive to be fully electric by 2030 and follows the local introductions of other battery-powered Volvos such as the XC40 Recharge and C40.

He expects the EX30 to become Volvo’s most popular battery-electric car, taking over from the XC40 Recharge which was South Africa's best selling EV in 2023 with 150 units.

Locally, the five-car EX30 range is available in two power outputs and three levels of specification.

The base Core trim level includes a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, rear park assist, seven airbags and a raft of safety and driver-assistance features. All versions of the EX30 are packed with safety and collision avoidance technology, including a feature that prevents the doors being opened when the car senses cyclists or pedestrians passing.

The mid-spec Plus grade adds ambient interior lighting, wireless smartphone charging, a 1040W Harman Kardon premium sound system, power-operated tailgate, two-zone climate control and automated parking.

The flagship Ultra specification lays on additional luxuries such as a fixed panoramic sunroof, powered front seats, a 360° parking camera, Park Pilot Assist and a 22kW onboard charger (up from 11kW).

The base EX30 Core Single Motor model produces outputs of 200kW and 343Nm, for a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 5.7 seconds. This rear-wheel-drive model is rated with a 344km range on a charge from its 51kWh battery pack.

The rest of the line-up uses a 69kWh battery pack that increases range to 476km.

The Twin Motor Performance models are all-wheel drive with a second electric motor at the front, with peak outputs raised to 315kW and 543Nm. With the 3.6 second 0-100km/h time, the range is a claimed 460km.

On a public fast charger the car can be juiced up from 10% to 80% in a little more than 25 minutes, said Volvo. A home wall charger can be purchased from Volvo for about R20,000.

First impressions

There was no opportunity to drive the EX30 at this week’s unveiling (test drives will happen soon), but I got a chance to sit in the vehicle and get familiar with some of its features.

The interior takes Scandinavian minimalism to new extremes, which is very modern but not great news for those who prefer quick access analogue controls. There are no buttons on the dashboard or an instrument panel in front of the driver. All functions are bundled into a 12.3-inch central touchscreen tablet running an Android-powered infotainment system and wireless update functionality.

The only physical controls are switches for the windows and central locking on the centre armrest, while the audio volume and a few menu functions can be controlled by buttons on the steering wheel.

Cabin oddments space is generous with assorted nooks and cubbies and the wireless charger has a rubber catch to hold smartphones in place.

As part of Volvo’s sustainability efforts, recycled denim jeans and pre-used polyester with a wool blend form part of the material mix used on the seats, dashboard and doors. It all looks premium and the cabin ambience is boosted by mood lighting with a vast selection of colours.

In the metal the premium compact crossover is an eye-catcher with its clean, futuristic lines. With a length of 4,233mm, the EX30 is Volvo’s smallest SUV to date and similar in size to a Volkswagen T-Cross. It is suitable for young families, as the back seat is a tight fit for adults, while the 370l boot is compact by class standards.

Pricing

EX30 Core Single Motor — R775,900

EX30 Plus Single Motor Extended Range — R865,900

EX30 Plus Twin Motor Performance — R935,900

EX30 Ultra Single Motor Extended Range — R965,900

EX30 Ultra Twin Motor Performance — R995,900

Prices include a five-year/100,000km warranty and maintenance plan, a five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance and eight-year battery warranty.