2025 Volvo EX30 Cross Country Review

While most things have gone up in price recently, Volvo’s EX30 range has enjoyed a ‘realignment’. That means it’s now cheaper, making the new Cross Country variant more worthy of consideration.  

Now this is a crazy little machine from the otherwise sensible people at Volvo. The EX30 Cross Country follows the usual CC formula, slapping plastic cladding about the place to give it a more adventurous look, while cranking the ride up a notch. There’s not much of the latter to be honest, just 19mm more, and some of that is down to the taller rubber encasing the black 19s. Along with the slight lift, apparently they have softened the suspension a tad to cope with the rough back country roads owners will be throwing this at. And helpfully, it also soothes your progress around town. 

Priced accordingly  

The EX30 uses the Geely SEA2 platform, which you’ll also find under the Zeekr X and Smart #1 and #3. With the arrival of the mechanically similar Zeekr here, the EX30 has had a major price realignment, now starting at $63,900 ($4k more than the X RWD) while the Cross Country is at $69,990 (line ball with the X AWD). The twin motor EX30 previously cost $85k (pity those guys) and so now that it’s more affordable, it’s also more likeable. 

The Cross Country is now the default twin motor option for the little EX30, and it packs quite a wallop. It has a crazy amount of steam for what it is. With a motor at each axle, it’s spitting out 315kW and 534Nm.  

So it’s a hot hatch? 

Well it’s quick enough, clocking 0 to 100 in 3.95sec, and whipping from 80 to 120km/h in 2.5sec. But what about the way it drives? Volvo abandoned any pretense of sportiness awhile back, yet this can blaze. Especially in the Performance drive mode, where the power delivery is amped up. It can really haul off the bends and tear down the straights.  

The other thing you can change up in a dynamic sense is the steering weight, from light and breezy to a little less so. The CC turns well, with a reasonable sense for the action. While the suspension deals to the bumps, the trade off is more lean in the bends which can upset the balance. The impending understeer is nipped by constant digital management of the torque delivery, making it behave better. The brake pedal could do with more feel and resistance, as it’s hard to balance the CC on the picks. So while this is quick, it’s a better cruiser. Enjoy the highway ride and the ease with which you can dispense of slower traffic when you need to be somewhere.   

How’s that interior?  

You’ll either admire or abhor the minimalist cabin design of the XC30. Those in the latter camp will see it as a veiled cost cutting exercise, while others will like the uncluttered aesthetic. The materials are well chosen with classy plastics and just enough soft touches about. The main gripe you might have is that everything is done via the main screen, everything. There’s no driver display, so you’ll be looking left to see how fast you’re going for instance. While the screen was a problem initially for the EX30, all is now sorted and didn’t give us any gyp. It’s infused with Google tech, so it’s pretty smart, especially when it comes to voice inputs. And it’s quick, loaded with apps and your connectivity is sorted via wireless CarPlay and Android Auto.   

While all control runs via the touchscreen, most tasks are sorted with two taps. The big screen means minimal scrolling and the menus aren’t layers deep.  

The seats are a little firm, but fit well, with just enough powered adjustment, including in the lumbar zone, once you work out how to use the all-in-one seat switch. A large panoramic roof is standard though it lacks a screen and the tint needs to be darker to keep the NZ sun at bay. And the center console contraption is one of the more interesting storage solutions you’ll come across. 

Entry to the rear quarters is not fantastic, where you’ll find adequate rather than ample space for a pair of adults. Kids will fit better, a trio of them at a pinch. The boot space offered is on par with liked-sized compact rivals, the hold well shaped and a variable floor helps give a flat load space when you drop the rear seats. Don’t expect a spare wheel. It can tow up to 1600kg.   

Easy as 

What we quite liked about the Cross Country was its general ease of use. Some might find it annoying you can’t lock the car from the key fob, though turn on the proximity locking function, and the car will unlock as you approach. And the EX30 is then ready to go once you’re seated; just click into D via the handy column selector, and you’re away. If you like convenience, the one-pedal drive mode is super smooth. When you do need the brake, it’s neither too squishy or snatchy under foot. The steering is light and quick (the wheel too square however) and with a slick turning circle, compact dimensions and a decent surround view camera, it’s a cinch to dock. It has good outward vision too. 

It’s quick off the mark, and if you find you’re forever 10km/h over the speed limit, you can try operating in the Range drive mode, where the power is pegged back a notch. On that, the 69kWh battery gives a quoted 490km WLTP range. The gauge reckoned on 400km when we jumped in with a fully charged battery. The AC max charge rate is 11kW (a full recharge done in eight hours with a 16A wallbox) and the max DC rate is 350kW.   

Volvo is big on safety and this is no different. There is a bundle of ADAS stuff. The driver monitor can be proactive, though the warning issued is minor. The lane keeping can nudge you around, it being the one system you’ll want to switch off, which is easily done with two taps on the screen. However, the lane warning feature will still vibrate the wheel, and trying to nullify that requires deeper delving. Otherwise, the active cruise is friendly (though could be quicker to get going again in stop/start traffic) and there are no overspeed warnings.  

So who is it for?  

This Volvo EX30 Cross Country will suit those after a new energy premium compact who no longer need the big car they once did. It has a replete specification including three years of servicing and a five-year, 150,000km warranty period. The price realignment makes the EX30 more palatable, and buying the Volvo means you wont need to explain to your friends what a Zeekr is.  

Volvo EX30 Cross Country
$69,990  /  18.7kWh/100km  /  0g/km
0-100 km/h 3.95s
80-120 km/h 2.54s (72m)
100-0 km/h 36.90m
Speedo error  98 at an indicated 100km/h
Ambient cabin noise  71.8dB@100km/h
Motor output  315kW
Max torque  543Nm
Battery  69kWh
Range  490km
Drivetrain  Single-speed auto / AWD
Front suspension  Mac strut / swaybar
Rear suspension  Multilink / swaybar
Turning circle  11.0m (2.5 turns)
Front brakes  Ventilated discs
Rear brakes  Discs
Stability systems  ABS, ESP, TV
Safety  AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB
Tyre size  f/r-235/50R19 
Wheelbase  2650mm
L/W/H  4233 / 1837 / 1567mm
Track f-1590mm  r-1595mm
Luggage capacity 400-1000L  
Tow rating  750kg (1600kg Braked)
Service intervals 2yrs / 30,000km
Scheduled servicing  3yrs / unlimited km
Warranty  5yrs / 150,000 km
ANCAP rating  ★★★★★ (2024)
Weight (claimed)  1960kg