By Sue Mead
Barcelona is a leading cultural, economic, and financial center in southwestern Europe–and Spain’s top biotech hub. It is one of three leading world cities in which Volvo chose to introduce its all-new 2025 EX30, a global electric model that will go on sale in the US next summer.
After reveals in Milan and New York City, Volvo Cars brought members of the international motoring press to Barcelona for a three-day event, with two days of test driving and opportunities to meet with Volvo representatives to learn about the build, design, and ethics, of this new SUV, as well as to share some moments in the local culture, including the tapas bars and nightlife.
Volvo says the 2025 EX30 is an espresso shot of Volvo–small, intense, and essential. The EX30 has created a new segment in the Volvo portfolio that Volvo says represents a growing demand from consumers in the US for small, premium, fully-electric SUVs. The EX30 fits in the U.S. lineup below the C40 Recharge hatchback and XC40 Recharge compact crossover.
The Volvo EX30 will be priced starting at $34,950; it will come with a choice of a single motor (rear drive) or a twin motor (all-wheel drive) and comes in five trim levels.
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From the outside, the EX30 is attractive with modern-chic looks and is decidedly Volvo. Despite its subcompact size, it appears more like a small compact, as it has a long wheelbase, large wheels, and equal front and rear overhangs that bring balance to the exterior. Up front, it wears a closed shield and a digital rendition of Volvo’s signature Thor’s Hammer headlights, has cool lighting elements, and comes in five vibrant exterior colors. Colors include the stylish Cloud Blue and the bright and expressive Moss Yellow, inspired by lichen growing on rocks along the Swedish west coast.
The cleanly-penned cockpit is punctuated by a single 12.3-inch tablet that combines driver and center displays into one touchscreen, with high-definition visuals, and a customizable driver interface. It uses an updated version of Volvo’s Google-based interface and Google Maps for navigation, and has wireless Apple CarPlay. There is wireless charging in a dedicated front-seat storage compartment, a 12-volt power outlet, and four USB-C ports along with a number of stowage compartments and versatile cargo spaces. Plus, there are four unique interior design motifs (Breeze, Mist, Pine and Indigo). The Harman Kardon sound system has nine speakers; a soundbar runs across the base of the dash panel and includes five integrated speakers. Of note, Volvo’s designers have used a collection of recycled materials for the upholstery and throughout the minimalist interior.
When motivated by a single rear electric motor, the EX30 has a max output of 268 horsepower. The rear-drive EX will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 5.1 seconds, reach a top speed of speed of 112 mph, and has a reported range of 275 miles.
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The Twin Motor Performance model has an additional motor on the front axle for a combined 422 horsepower. It runs from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, and has a range of 265 miles. Both the single and dual-motor EX30s come with a 69-kWh battery.
I drove both singe- and dual-motor models during my two days of driving along a route from Barcelona’s busy urban scape along stretches of the Mediterranean Sea to quieter roadways that wound into the nearby countryside with small villages and gentle hills. Most notable in the differences between the single- and dual-motor models is the torque on tap. Both variants are fast, but the all-wheel-drive version pinned my head to the headrest and pushed my body back into the comfortable, ergonomic bucket seat, as I maneuvered with the squared sport steering wheel and appreciated the electric power-assisted steering and ABS brakes with electronic brake distribution and electronic brake assistance that worked smoothly with good stopping distances. The ride is mannered, mostly without head roll, and not choppy, despite the small package of the EX30. Top notch suspension components include McPherson coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers, a stabilizer bar in front, and a multi-link suspension with coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers, and stabilizer bar in the rear.
The starting price for the single motor version that I drove in the Ultra trim was $41,100. It was painted in a stunning Cloud Blue exterior and sported a Breeze interior, and rode on 19-inch, 5-spoke “aero” wheels. The twin-motored version in Ultra trim stickered at $47,900 with a Vapor Gray exterior and Mist interior with 20-inch five-spoke aero
wheels.
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