In a world where electric cars are supposed to be… well, boring, quiet, and shaped like some sort of kitchen appliance, I need to introduce you to the 2025 Volvo EX30 Twin Motor, which, as it turns out, is actually rather good. It’s Volvo’s smallest electric SUV, small enough to park in places you’d normally store a bicycle. And yet—brace yourself—it’s the fastest Volvo ever made.
Exterior
The headlights are shaped like Thor’s hammer, the body is tidy and upright, and the whole thing looks as if it’s been designed by someone who irons their socks. In a world of aggressive, angry-looking SUVs, this is calm and relaxed. Volvo says it’s a crossover, but in reality, it’s just a tall hatchback.
What lurks below?
Under the hood lurks not one motor, but two. They are both Permanent-magnet synchronous AC; the front one has 154 hp, 148 lb-ft, and the rear has 268 hp and 253 lb-ft. Together, they make 422 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, which means 0 to 60 happens in 3.3 seconds, 0-100 in 8.6 seconds, and the quarter mile in less than 12. That’s the sort of time you’d expect from a sports car. Or a cheetah on steroids. And because it’s all-wheel drive, there’s no tire smoke, no drama, just an almighty shove in the back. It’s light too (for an EV), weighing in at a feathery 4,189 pounds.
Wheels and Tires
The wheels are 19-inch with aero inserts and are wearing 245/45 Michelin Primacy all-season tires. The brakes have 12.7-inch discs at the front and 12.6 at the rear, which makes for some impressive stopping power.
Range and Charging
Volvo claims it’ll do 253 miles on a charge, in the real world, about 170, especially if you drive in full performance mode, like I will. They say you can charge from 10 to 80% in under 30 minutes using a DC fast charger, and charging speeds are up to 153kW, but I didn’t see much better than 107kWh.
Driving
Now, don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a rally car. Around corners, it’s competent, planted, Swedishly sensible, no drifts, no theatrics, just grip, poise, and the sort of control that makes you think it’s been designed for IKEA car parks rather than racetracks.
The steering is fast but lacks feel, and the overall grip is pretty standard, but bear in mind it does have all-season tires. It feels tidy and compact, turning under you smoothly but without really connecting. The ride is well-balanced, offering controlled damping while still providing good shock isolation.
It’s startlingly rapid in Performance mode. That 0-60 mph time is quicker than some sports cars more than 3 times the price. In Normal mode, it disengages the front motor during smooth driving but will reengage if you floor it. I have to say, in Normal mode it is quite rapid too.
Performance mode keeps it engaged constantly, but you’ll have to dig into the menus to turn that on, which I did less than I thought I would. Performance mode does drain your battery quicker, so you’ll spend more time out of that unless you are on a mission to embarrass some muscle car owners.
Interior
Inside, it’s all very Scandinavian, with clean lines, seats made of denim, and reused metals. It’s lacking in amenities, which means in car industry speak means “we’ve taken away all the buttons you like.”There’s no start/stop button, and your primary interface with the car is a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Want to open the glove box? You tap the screen and it opens where you wouldn’t expect, in the center console area. If you are used to a Tesla, you‘ll be at home here.
The inside features some clever storage options, and the cupholders are in the armrest, which, if you push at the end, will reveal two of them. Push it back to the first click, and only one is visible. Very clever stuff.
The back seat feels a bit tight, even for a car that’s on the smaller side. What stands out most in the cabin is its simplicity. This design choice helps lower the number of parts, making it more affordable and environmentally friendly to produce.
Cargo Space
Now, because it’s small, you might assume the boot is about the size of a lunchbox. But actually, it’s 14.1 cubic feet. Fold the seats flat, and you get 34 cubes. And there’s a little ‘frunk’ up front for your charging cables or the emergency power bar you keep for long trips.
Safety and Security
This is still a Volvo, which means it’s filled to the brim with safety tech, lane-keeping, pedestrian detection, driver monitoring, etc. It’s like having an overprotective Swedish grandmother in the passenger seat, constantly reminding you not to run with scissors.
Cons
The driver monitoring system behaves less like a helpful co-pilot and more like a neurotic schoolteacher with a whistle. Glance at the mirrors? BEEP. Check the screen? BONG. Take a deep breath? Probably another alarm. I also wish the glass roof had a sunshade since, despite being tinted, it does let a lot of heat into the cabin.
Pricing
The EX30 Twin Motor Performance starts at $46,195 for the Plus trim, while my Ultra-trim test car goes for $47,895. There’s not much difference in pricing between the two because there’s barely any difference in the trims, with the Ultra including extra driver-assist features like automatic rear braking, Volvo’s Pilot Assist lane-keeping and adaptive cruise, and a 360-degree camera system.
VIDEO REVIEW
Verdict
So it’s small, it’s quick, it’s safe, it’s stylish, and in top spec only it’s about forty-eight thousand dollars. But here’s the big question: is it fun? Absolutely. It’s Volvo’s only car that lets you do 0–60 in the time it takes to say ‘Swedish Meatballs’, while listening to ABBA, and still feel morally superior. It’s a pocket-sized missile wrapped in polite Scandinavian manners, and I absolutely love it.
2025 Volvo EX30 Numbers
BASE PRICE: $46,600
PRICE AS TESTED: $48,395
VEHICLE LAYOUT: Front and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door Crossover
FRONT MOTOR: Permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 154 hp, 148 lb-ft
REAR MOTOR: Permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 268 hp, 253 lb-ft
COMBINED POWER: 422hp
COMBINED TORQUE: 400 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION: Direct drive
0-60 MPH: 3.3 seconds
TOP SPEED: 114 mph
BRAKES FRONT: 15.8-in
BRAKES REAR: 13.8-in
CURB WEIGHT: 4,200 lbs
WHEELS: 19-inch with matte titanium finish
TIRES: Michelin Primacy 240/45
ONBOARD CHARGER: 11.0 kW
PEAK DC FAST-CHARGE RATE: 153 kWh
EPA CITY/HWY/COMBINED: 116/100/109 mpge
CARGO SPACE: 14.1ft³, 34 ft³ with seat area
PROS: Stupidly quick, cool Scandi interior
CONS: Range
