FIRST UK DRIVE Compact EV offers premium quality at an affordable price
Alex Ingram Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk@AxleIngram
THERE are plenty of examples of new cars with prices that cause us to double take, and it’s usually for the wrong reasons. But when a premium brand such as Volvo announces that the entry-level version of its new, all-electric small SUV will kick off from £33,795, it’s a surprise of the pleasant kind.
Here is a well established premium brand releasing a new car for a price that isn’t just undercutting the cheapest version of one of our favourite EVs, the Hyundai Kona Electric, it’s also giving a host of newcomers from the Far East a run for their money.
Although the entry-level model is the one grabbing headlines with its price, we’re driving the top-spec model here: the EX30 Twin Motor Extended Range Ultra. It takes as long to say that name as it does for the car to sprint from 0-62mph: a faintly ludicrous 3.6 seconds. For reference, that’s the same as a Bentley Continental GT.
But let’s look at the EX30 range more generally first, because it sits in compact car territory that the brand hasn’t really explored since the C30 from almost two decades ago. The EX30 is almost identical in length to its ancestor, but as fashion dictates, it now takes the shape of a small crossover rather than a three-door hatchback-cum-coupé.
Its price point pitches it against a long list of rivals, too; that means anything from the Jeep Avenger to the Volkswagen ID.3, plus the aforementioned Kona. But among those rivals, plus a host of Chinese disruptors, the EX30 is the only one that’s from an established premium brand, which for many buyers will put it on a strong footing. Then there are the specs; £34k gets you a single-motor model with 268bhp, plus a sizeable 69kWh (64kWh usable) battery.
There have been cost-cutting measures to achieve this price, but at first glance, Volvo has done well to disguise them. There are four interior themes, known as ‘lounges’ in Volvo speak, which finish the dashboard and seats with woven fabrics and recycled materials – including one that’s made from upcycled denim, and another from old PVC window frames. The overall effect not only looks unique, but also makes the cabin feel more expensive and special than in any other car at this price point.
Typically for Volvo, the dashboard design leans heavily on a minimalist aesthetic, but in some areas, we feel it’s gone too far. Almost every function is controlled via the touchscreen; in some ar
