Volvo has been a premier European carmaker for a long time now, even more so once the Swedish marque was taken over by the Chinese Geely Group back in the late 2000s. Known all over the world for their fantastic station wagons and SUVs, Volvo has been churning out some of the best-in-class models in almost every market they operate in. With the world being so frantic about the adoption of electric vehicles, there are few (if any) automakers that aren’t into EVs.
Even though the UAE (and the Middle East, in general) does not have as much EV proliferation as that found in many Western nations. However, that might change in the coming years – Volvo is here to help assist in this transition process. This is where the new Volvo EX30 could play a vital role in promoting the Swedish brand’s prominence in the world of electric mobility in the UAE. Interestingly, the Al-Futtaim Group was the official e-mobility partner of COP28.
The Managing Director at Al-Futtaim's Trading Enterprises, Oscar Rivoli, had this to say about the Volvo EX30, “We are proud to announce the launch of the Volvo EX30 with Al-Futtaim Group being named COP28’s Strategic E-Mobility Partner. The newest addition to Volvo’s fully electric fleet, the Volvo EX30 is a compact SUV with a purpose-driven mission and a mighty green impact, delivering everything customers want from a Volvo alongside the smallest CO2 footprint of any Volvo car to date. Like any Volvo, it’s an outstanding product which is safe and designed around people and their needs, while reinforcing Al-Futtaim’s Group commitment to sustainability and the market’s unwavering demand for the fast-growing EV segment.”
Design
The 4.2-meter-long Volvo EX30’s design is both compact yet substantially modern, especially regarding the svelte front end and rear styling of this small crossover electric SUV. The smooth but crisp front fascia of the EX30 looks welcoming, while the sleek LED headlights consist of multiple beams (including the DRLs). Of course, there’s the brand’s popular insignia, joined by a well-sculpted front bumper.
The side profile of the EX30 melts strong lines with smooth-flowing curves quite well, while the short overhangs, 19-inch dual-tone wheels and two-tone paint make this Volvo EV appear sporty. Adding to the EX30’s stylish persona is its upswept window line, steadily sloping roof, and chunky rear pillars. Of course, all of these styling aspects come to the fore when the car is draped in one of the few contrasting color options.
The Volvo EX30’s rear end comes with a unique set of LED lights, which includes the main C-shaped taillights and the vertical light bars located right next to the rear window. There is a large ‘Volvo’ branding situated in the middle of the tailgate, and the rear bumper & roof spoiler are fairly sporty in their design as well.
Interior
As with most Volvo cars, minimalism is one of the key design details that makes the EX30’s interior feel quite modern and cool. Despite using several recycled materials all throughout the cabin, the materials and trim used here feel relatively plush and upscale. Other visual features that capture one’s attention include a unique-looking speckled design integrated into several panels on the doors and dashboard.
The Volvo EX30’s interior also comes with a squarish steering wheel with touch-sensitive buttons, a stalk-mounted transmission selector, vertically aligned front AC vents, a portrait-style touchscreen infotainment display, and a full-length glass roof. The latter lets in tons of light, with the light-themed upholstery found on the seats and door pads. Adding to the style quotient of this EV are its frameless IRVMs and ORVMs, plus the well-contoured seats.
Features
The Volvo EX30 comes with loads of features, which makes this EV a good buy for those who like modern technology and cool new equipment. These include several driver-safety features such as Pilot Assist, Active Collision Avoidance & Mitigation Systems, Blind Spot Information System with Door Opening Alert, 360-degree cameras, and Park Pilot Assist.
There are also multiple other niceties that the new EX30 is endowed with. Some of the most important ones are a wireless phone charger, powered & auto-climate-controlled seats, a heated steering wheel, a 12.3-inch primary digital display with built-in Google Assistant (among many other Google apps & features), a 1,040-watt Harmon Kardon sound system, and multicolor LED ambient lighting.
Performance
Depending on the market, the Volvo EX30 is available in single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive versions. These are further categorized into three variants that are: Single Motor, Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance. According to the figures by the Swedish auto marque, the new EX30 has a range of up to 462 to 476 kilometers on a full charge.
The NMC batteries in the EX30 are rated at up to 69 kW, while the total output of the powertrain ranges between 272–428 horsepower, with the maximum torque output ranging between 343-543 newton meters. When hooked up to a DC fast charger, the Volvo EX30’s NMC battery pack can be charged from 10-80% in 26 minutes. Volvo also claims that its compact electric SUV should be able to achieve 18 kWh/100 kilometers, a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 3.6 seconds (Performance variant), and a top speed of 180 km/h.
Price
The starting price of the new Volvo EX30 in the UAE is AED 149,900. This means that the EX30 undercuts the Volvo XC40 Recharge by over 100,000 dirhams. Therefore, if you want an all-electric Volvo SUV that looks cool, and boasts good performance and features, you ought to test-drive the new EX30.
