‘One of the most impressive cars this year’ – Volvo EX30 first looks from Australia’s press

With the hotly anticipated Volvo EX30 now in the country and first deliveries underway to a record 1,500 pre-orders, Australia’s motoring press have also had a chance to put Volvo’s newest and smallest member of the family through its paces. Here are their early verdicts.

**Which Car?**

“Relatively short stints behind the wheel of a Single- and Twin-Motor mean we need to wait for a longer, fuller test to delve deeper into the strengths and weaknesses of the EX30, yet it’s telling that we can’t wait to do so,” writes Jez Spinks.

“First impressions are that Volvo has played yet another strong SUV card, further broadening its appeal to a younger customer demographic following the XC40's introduction,” he added.

Spinks also noted that Volvo’s smallest model “crucially remains big on the sophisticated, Swedish-luxury vibe that has made such a success of the company's larger SUVs.”

**News.com.au**

The proportion of recycled materials in the EX30 is the highest of any Volvo car so far. Around a quarter of the aluminium and almost a fifth of the steel is recycled material. Plus, around 17 per cent of all plastics – internally and externally – are made from recycled material.

Hence news.com.au’s David McCowen kicked off his review by underlining the EX30’s strong sustainability credentials.

“For a car made from trash, the new Volvo EX30 is anything but rubbish. This sustainability-driven compact SUV challenges preconceptions surrounding premium cars in 2024,” he writes.

“We’ve never seen an electric prestige SUV with a price that starts with a five, or that an affordable little machine could reach 100km/h in a number that starts with three.”

His verdict?

“Volvo’s EX30 puts traditional rivals and EV upstarts on notice. This compact crossover is one of the most impressive cars this year.”

**Car Expert**

Car Expert’s James Wong took both the Single and Twin motor versions for spin out of Adelaide and into the Barossa.

“I love how it drives, I love how it looks, and I love that you can really make it your own with the various interior trim choices. Some more exterior colour options would be nice – but that could all come in time,” he writes.

“Yes it’s small in the back and in the boot, and the prices have crept up for 2025, but the EX30 is a very well-rounded product for the money, especially when you consider many mainstream brands can’t hit the same balance of merits in this sub-segment of the EV market and charge more.”

His final take?

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up exceeding its sales forecasts. Hell, I might even buy one.”

Find out more about the EX30 here, or speak to your local retailer.