► Volvo adds a little SUV attitude to the EX30
► Cross Country based on the Performance AWD
► CAR has a first drive on the frozen lakes of northern Sweden
I must admit I was relishing this one. Volvo Cross Country models and I have history – I loved my old XC70, and am mates with its designer Steve Harper. There’s something wonderfully timeless and unpretentious about these jacked-up Swedes that just appeals. So, to apply this formula to the EX30, the firm’s entry-level car, and one of the best electric cars for the money, is genuinely intriguing.
All previous Cross Country models have been on the chonky side – the V70 XC, XC70, V60 and V90 Cross Country have enough room inside to move house – whereas the EX30 is far more dinky. Whether you’d describe this car as a hatchback or crossover is up to you, but the this transformation certainly gives the EX30 plenty of on-trend SUV attitude.
In many ways, it’s a straight Rover Streetwise job – raised ride height, chunky wheels, and the kind of protective cladding that’ll give its owner confidence to tackle the tightest of parking spots. As well as channelling the spirit of its classless forebears, it ploughs an important new furrow for Volvo by being the first time the Cross Country badge has been applied to an electric car.
Does it deliver genuine off-the-beaten track capability or is this just a fashion statement for adventurous Waitrose shoppers? Read on to find out what I thought of it.
At a glance
Pros: Raised ride height for a better ride, classic rugged appeal, hilariously quick acceleration
Cons: Limited driving range, pricey compared with latest small EVs, intrusive stability control could upset enthusiasts
What’s new?
The Cross Country is based on the EX30 Performance AWD, but to give it SUV-style chops, it gets a 19mm hike in ride height, chunkier front and rear bumpers, roof rails, and a new front panel featuring an etched topographical map of Kebnekaise, Sweden’s highest peak. These accents are all in matt black as you’d expect on a Cross Country, and these tweaks are certainly effective in giving the EX30 more attitude.
It comes with a new set of 19-inch alloys, but buyers can also specify 18-inch wheels with chunky all-terrain tyres for added off-road ability. Volvo is positioning this as more than just a trim level – it’s part of an entire Cross Country ‘experience,’ with a range of accessories including a full roof rack, mudflaps, and an electric towbar to help you get down and dirty.
What are the specs?
The EX30 Cross Country’s twin motor Performance AWD setup means 422bhp and 400lb ft of torque, which is enough to get this thing from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds – only 0.1 seconds slower than the regular Twin Motor EX30, despite the extra kit. That’s a lot of poke for a seemingly inoffensive family SUV, but as Volvo will tell you, this is all about delivering safe overtaking. Hmm.
The WLTP tested driving range is 264 miles on standard tyres and 19-inch wheels. Opt for the off-road rubber, and that drops to 230 miles. Not ideal, as I reckon 300 miles should be your absolute minimum these days, but given that most of these will rarely stray beyond the school run or a weekend trip to the Lake District, it’s probably fine. Just remember that rapid charging is rubbish up there.
The suspension and damping has been tweaked with softer settings, which should be perfect for urban warriors. Small changes, but they add up.
Range and Charging
The EX30 Cross Country’s 69kWh battery pack is on the smaller side of average these days, but charging is swift enough, with up to 153kW available at a suitable DC rapid charger, meaning a 10-to-80% top-up can be done in around 26 minutes. AC home charging at 11kW takes about seven hours for a full charge, so an overnight plug-in should see you ready to go.
Efficiency will naturally take a hit in colder conditions or when loaded up with adventure gear, but for an electric soft-roader, charging is quick enough when you’re on the go. Just don’t expect to match the range and convenience of a diesel-powered Cross Country of old, obviously.
How does it drive?
Full disclosure: I wasn’t able to take it on to public roads, so my experience is limited to hooning it around a frozen lake, 200 metres from the shoreline. It might not be exactly representative of a wet Wednesday in Dorking or a bumper-to-bumper amble on the M25, but still useful for getting a feel for the car’s capabilities, and exploring the limits of the car’s stability systems.
I’ve driven on ice a few times now, most notably taking a drive across Lake Baikal when we were allowed to go to Russia and one thing I’ve learned is that the saying ‘smooth as ice’ is absolute bunkum. You get all manner of surface and grip changes along the way – and if a car does this well, it won’t be in bad shape. So, I’m cautiously optimistic about the EX30’s dynamic prowess.
First impressions are that the increased ride height and tweaked damping have had a good effect on the ride quality. It glides over dappled surfaces, takes ridges in a mature manner, and feels like it’ll handle broken urban blacktop effectively. As for the handling, bodyroll is well contained, and the EX30’s feels agreeably agile.
The steering is responsive, if a little lacking in feel, and the brakes are grabby without being inconsistent. Most people will rarely use them, thanks to effective regen on its highest setting. The main downside that we found? If you want to have fun in the snow, the stability control system only allows for limited play – and only if you are really aggressive with it – before it runs back home to safe understeer.
To be fair, though, this is not a representative test, and playing the rally hero on the North Circular is generally frowned upon, and you can’t really criticise a family car for being too safe. The off-road tyres, were worth their weight in rubber here, though, making a huge difference when things became difficult. Given how they eat into the driving range, you might want to keep them in the garage and save them as your winter wheels.
Final mention should go to the car’s eyecatching acceleration. It will surge from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds, which is ridiculously quick for a small family car. But before I get into an indignant rage like a Lotus Carlton-affected Daily Mail editorial, it is worth saying that the accelerator response is very progressive, and it’s unlikely you’re going to inadvertently provoke it into anything silly. In fact, smooth and gentle driving seems to be this car’s default position.
What’s the interior like?
Step inside and you’ll find the same minimalist cabin as the standard Volvo EX30, and that’s no bad thing. It’s bright, airy and genuinely appealing if you like to immerse yourself in calm. It feels solidly constructed and the trims are good to touch, too.
The 12.3-inch portrait touchscreen dominates the dashboard, controlling almost everything, from climate settings to navigation, via the mirrors and driving modes. Thankfully, the latest software updates have improved usability, with Apple CarPlay now included and better voice commands. Newbies will find the relentless screen jabbing tiresome and potentially unsafe, but familiarity breeds some relief – but at the risk of sounding like a stuck record, it needs buttons.
Material choices lean towards sustainability, with two colour schemes available: ‘Pine’ (a mix of wool and Nordico upholstery) and ‘Indigo’ (recycled denim for a blue and purple aesthetic). It’s all very Volvo – modern, stylish, and environmentally conscious. Interior room is reasonable enough up front, but cramped for anyone in the rear, making this a dodgy option for growing families.
Before you buy
The EX30 Cross Country is something of a niche product – it doesn’t have too many direct rivals. If you want an electric SUV with some off-road capability, you’re looking at the Jeep Avenger 4xe (plug-in hybrid rather than full EV) or the Audi Q4 E-Tron Quattro. UK price isn’t confirmed yet, but Volvo’s tipped the wink that it’ll be about £47,000 when it arrives here in Q3 2025.
There’s only one Cross Country to choose from, unfortunately, and a UK Volvo representative said it was highly unlikely that they would be extending the EX30 Cross Country line. I think they’re missing a trick by not offering a cheaper version, as few buyers really want four-wheel drive and a sub-four second 0-62mph time.
Verdict
The Volvo EX30 Cross Country is not an all-out off-roader, and doesn’t really pretend to be. And truth be told, the old ones never were. They were often a well-loved member of the family, and this feels very much cracked from the same mould. So, for those who want an electric SUV with a bit of rugged charm and a little off-the-beaten track attitude, this is an interesting offering.
I do think it’s the sort of car that could fly off the shelf if they wanted to roll out more (well, cheaper) variations – buyers can’t get enough of SUVs, and the EX30 really is an appealing blend of Sports and Utility. For now, though, it’s a stylish, capable, and pricey addition to Volvo’s EV lineup. Just don’t expect it to be the go-to choice for green laning or serious off-road exploits.