Tesla-fighting Volvo EX30 is cute, quick, and range-challenged

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Michigan’s Midway Pop art in the 1960s, installation art in the 1980s, surrealism in the 1930s, and cubism in the 1910s. Over the past century, there have been several movements in the art world. The art of the car has also changed. The 1960s muscle cars, the mid-engine sports cars of the 1980s, the 1990s jelly bean sedans, and the post-World War II jet-inspired tailfin era.

Electric vehicles of the digital age have opened up new possibilities for designers. I recently flew the 2025 Volvo EX30 to Charlevoix and back, and it’s one of my favorites.

The EX30 has adopted the grille-less design and straightforward, screen-centric cabin, just like its Tesla, Rivian, and Cadillac counterparts. Additionally, as my trip’s charging mishaps show, EVs are best appreciated as urban vehicles, much like installation art is restricted to a single location.

I was greeted with a smile by my two-tone EX30 sweetie, who is black and yellow.

In other words, the fascia is anchored by the mouth-shaped diagonal line that runs through the round Volvo emblem. No grille, no internal combustion engine. Thor’s hammer headlights, which are replicated on the rear fascia, anchor the fascia inside a black frame. EX30 made me think of one of the vibrant characters from the Robots movie from 2005.

The door unlocked when it detected the card key in my pocket. The subcompact EX30 is Volvo’s entry point into the EX40 and EX90 EV family, as its name suggests, but you’ll need to modify your expectations regarding pricing. Sub-$40K cuties like the Buick Envista, Mazda CX-30, and Acura ADX are among the stylish, small, quality, and reasonably priced internal combustion engine SUVs that are currently in style.

My $48K, all-wheel-drive EX30 Performance Ultra tester is more expensive than high-end EV compacts like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Lexus RZ450, and Tesla Model Y. 19-inch wheels, a panoramic roof, all-wheel drive, and high-end materials. However, the EX30’s 32-inch rear legroom is smaller than that of, say, the Tesla, which has 40 inches. Six-footers are unable to sit behind themselves. The EX40, which starts at $54K, will provide you four inches more legroom.

Under the panoramic, light-filled roof, the cottage is exquisitely minimalist. similar to furniture from Scandinavia.

Similar to a Tesla, a large screen serves as the focal point of the interior. Buttons are removed from doors, and the screen provides access to necessary functions (glovebox, mirrors). In contrast to a Tesla, the 12.3-inch display is vertical, and the inside is decorated with traditional Volvo features like door handles and silver vertical air vents, as well as a floating console that provides ample room for a purse underneath.

The Google Built-in operating system, which is currently common on GM products and soon to be available on Honda, was initially introduced to the market by Volvo (and sister Polestar EV performance brand). It makes navigating simple, particularly for low-range electric cars that must locate charges while traveling. In order to save money, the EX30’s battery is modest (69 kWh) and only has a range of 253 miles as opposed to, say, the Model Y’s 311 miles.

Look up Charlevoix, Michigan on Google.

In order to complete the 250-mile journey with 25% of the charge remaining at the destination (in case I need to make another trip upon arrival), the Swede planned two stops. You ask, “Why two stops for a trip of 250 miles?” since the EPA’s estimated range figures seem to be based on a perfect day with 70 degrees and 55 mph.

On a 75 mph interstate, however, it was a sweltering day in July, with temperatures reaching 95 degrees and showers predicted. I would have a range of about 200 miles. Additionally, with quick chargers, you only charge to 80% because the final 80–100% is slow, like filling a beer. 160 miles is the actual range.

ZOT! Authority merged onto I-75 North with the vivacious 400-torque EX30.

The Volvo is as smooth as silk, much like its electric counterparts. However, unlike the Model Y/Chevy Equinox, it lacks hands-free driving for the price. However, a camera mounted on the steering wheel continuously monitored me, indicating that Volvo is hinting at the feature’s arrival. Because it was a Volvo, it constantly reminded me to keep my hands on the steering wheel, my eyes on the road, and my teeth brushed (I’m kidding).

In the parking lot of a Bay City Meijer store, EX30 found the first fast charging outlet, an Electrify America station that… was closed. Oh.

OUT OF ORDERS In case customers didn’t receive the notification, read the charger screens and the yellow-tape-wrapped stalls with a row of blue shopping carts obstructing access. Volvo is reliant on outside businesses, in contrast to Tesla, which incorporates its charging network with its vehicle’s navigation system. EX30 was unaware that the EA charger was not working.

Plan B. A bank of eight Tesla chargers, seven of which were available, was located just next to the EA chargers. I plugged in and used the Tesla app to connect as Volvo has a contract to utilize Tesla chargers.

Read the app if there are no chargers nearby. What?

Clean Technica claims that non-Tesla users cannot access 150 kW Tesla V2 chargers, such as those located in Bay City.

Plan C. I requested Google to locate fast chargers in my area. Success: There were ChargePoint and Blink stations within two miles. I selected Blink because it was in a Ford dealership and (probably) well-maintained, and the map showed that all four stalls were available.

While the EX30’s battery charged for 20 minutes from 50 to 90%, I walked across the street for a Tim Hortons doughnut and plugged in at the Ford dealer for 56 cents per kWh. Note to self: a similar, gas-powered Volvo XC40 at $4.10 per gallon premium fuel would cost $73, while the 500-mile round-trip cost would be $93 at 56 cents per kWh.

I was driven to a second Electrify America charging station in Gaylord by Volvo, but I decided to use a ChargePoint in Waters instead since I was worried about EA’s dependability. I reached Charlevoix with 36% of my battery remaining (72 miles). Overall, the journey took 6.23 hours, which was longer than the 4.37 hours Google Built-in had claimed (and much longer than the 3.52 hours in a gas-powered XC40).

It makes sense why EV sales have stagnated.

The Swede was as content as Bjorn Borg on a clay tennis court in Charlevoix, its natural habitat (an urban setting). It sped from 0 to 60 miles per hour on the two-lane M-32 in a Porsche 911 Carrera GTS-like 3.3 seconds faster than an all-wheel-drive Model Y s 4.8.

EX30 was a pleasant location to hang out, and I love Tesla and Rivian minimalist decor. Clever details abounded like a fashionable square steering wheel, storage cubbies and Google Built-in, which was always ready with a joke. I asked, “Hey, Google, tell me a joke.”

Why can t a bicycle stand up on its own? Because it s two tired.

You have to have a sense of humor to survive the charging follies. More were in store for the trip home.

After a Traverse City airport detour to drop off family, EX30 navigated to Midland to recharge at a very fast 240-kW fast charger. Wrong.

The charger was actuallya very slow 240-volt chargerin the parking lot of the H Hotel on Main Street. Sigh. Fortunately, Midland wasn t far (20 miles) from the same Bay City Blink charger that saved me on the way up. Though this time, the first Blink charging stall I tried was out of order. Hey, Google, tell me a joke!

I had 70 miles (33%) of charge left when I arrived home. Which is where EVs belong. Close to home.

With its peppy acceleration, cute looks and iPhone interior, EX30 is an artistic statement. Need a trip car? Allow me to suggest the midsize, gas-powered XC60 SUV with 38 inches of rear legroom and 564 miles of range. For the same price as a subcompact EX30.

2025 Volvo EX30

Vehicle type: All-wheel drive, five-passenger SUV

Price: Base $46,295, including $1,295 destination charge ($48,395 Performance Ultra as tested)

Powerplant: 64 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mated to dual electric motors

Power: 422 horsepower, 400 pound-feet torque

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Performance: 0-60 mph, 3.3 seconds (Car and Driver); top speed, 114 mph

Weight: 4,189 pounds

Range: EPA est. 109 MPGe; 253 miles on full charge

Report card

Highs: Stylish Scandinavian design; sportscar acceleration

Lows: Small back seat; pricey

Overall: 3 stars

____

Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him [email protected] Twitter @HenryEPayne.

2025 www.detroitnews.com. Visit atdetroitnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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