Small SUVs seem to have replaced the small hatchbacks that used to dominate our roads. The Volvo EX30, tested here in Ultra trim, hits the tarmac at $54,990 plus on-roads, and features a short, stocky body shape.
It showcases Volvo’s current design language, with distinctive front and rear lighting and signature ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights. Ours sat on a nice set of 19-inch wheels wearing Goodyear 245/45-section tyres.
For those who like to feel the road – and every bump in it – 20-inch wheels can be optioned. Draped in Crystal White, it can also be had in Onyx Black, Vapour Grey, Sand Dune and Cloud Blue. It’s surprisingly well packaged for a small family too.
Front occupants are looked after with plenty of legroom and a raised enough view of the road and environment around them. The forward seats are heated, but miss out on ventilation. The driver sits behind a squared-off steering wheel.
There’s a driver-monitoring camera but no instrument cluster or head-up display. Instead, the central 12.3-inch touchscreen takes care of everything, much like the Tesla Model Y. Relevant information is displayed across the top, including efficiency, selected gear and speed.
I kept thinking the driver-monitoring camera was going to magically show some important information. Arguably, it would at least serve a useful purpose if it did. In Volvo fashion, the centre screen is Google enabled and allows for wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Phones can be charged cord-free as well, but we did notice some interference at times when that was happening, which affected the Android Auto connection. It’s also sensitive to electronic toll gantries, which we found quite odd.
This could be related to the car or even our phone, and owners can sign into their Google account and use the built-in apps as an alternative to phone projection. Volvo offers several interior themes, including a textile and Nordico combination in Indigo.
It has Navy Blue and Dark Grey accents. You can also opt for Harvest, with Black and Tan accents, or choose from an array of other offerings. Ours came with Flax décor, transparent vents and Nordico with Pixel knit Breeze seat upholstery.
The light blue seats and door cards give the cabin a fresh look, with the fabrics reminding us of minty lollies or toothpaste. We feel the speckled finish might not be to everyone’s taste. Volvo’s interior designers have been clever, centralising most of the controls too.
That’s presumably to make it easier to adapt the cabin for left and right-hand drive markets. Ergonomically, it takes some getting used to, with the power window controls in the centre console, within reach of all occupants.
The front cupholders slide out of view and there are some nice, covered areas to hide your personal belongings in, as well as space for two phones up front and the aforementioned wireless charger on the passenger’s side.
Rear occupants have a pleasant cabin experience, though we noted the lack of a centre armrest and cupholders. There are door bins, but we’re not convinced takeaway cups would hold up too well back there.
A removable storage bin slots into the centre console area, complete with a moose, trees and scenery embossed on the sides. Rear legroom is a slight pinch for taller passengers, though. Overall, the cabin feels airy thanks to the huge panoramic glass roof.
There’s no sunshade or switchable glass to reduce the light though. Boot space is on the smaller side at 318-litres, but fold…
