The new Volvo EX30 officially hit South African shores, and undeniably is turning heads for its good looks.
- As one of the most accessible fully electric vehicles (EVs) in the country, the EX30 is Volvo’s poster ride for an electric future.
- Offering multiple powertrains and trim levels, the EX30 combines sustainability, performance, and Volvo’s renowned safety features.
- With its competitive pricing and eco-conscious design, the EX30 is poised to be a popular choice in South Africa’s growing EV market.
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The Sandton Times took the Volvo EX30 for a week long test-drive a few months after its chic urban reveal at Johannesburg’s trendy Victoria Yards. Now, it’s clear that the EX30 isn’t just another electric car tossed onto the market to tick a sustainability box.
The EX30 packs a punch, especially in its 315 kW Twin Motor Performance variant. This vehicle is a rocket, shooting from 0 to 100 km/h in a blistering 3.6 seconds, making it the fastest-accelerating Volvo ever made. Yes, ever. If speed’s your game, you’re in for a treat.
On the other hand, for those more concerned about range anxiety than drag racing, the Single Motor Extended Range version should hit the sweet spot. With a claimed 476 km range on the WLTP cycle, it’s got enough juice to handle most road trips without needing a mid-journey recharge.
Production of the EX30 kicked off in November 2023, and it’s already racking up awards. It’s been named Small SUV/Crossover of the Year in the News UK Motor Awards, Carwow’s Car of the Year for 2024, and even snagged TopGear.com’s Eco Warrior of the Year. Not bad for a small car, right? The accolades just keep rolling in, with Volvo likely eyeing a place on many more podiums.
So, what’s the drive like? In typical Volvo fashion, the EX30 offers an effortlessly smooth ride. It’s refined but with enough pep in its step to keep things interesting. But it’s not without its quirks. While the EX30 is visually stunning, there are some routines like locking the car, opening the boot, opening and closing windows etc. that require the driver to unlearn and relearn. The EX30 underwent a selective recall in mid-2024 due to some software issues. No car is perfect, and the EX30 is no exception – that’s part of the journey towards electric perfection.
The other challenge comes with not just buying a vehicle but buying into the EV eco-system, which might require an uber-fast charging station at work and a charging station at home too, ideally. This isn’t a uniquely Volvo challenge but applies to the entire category of electric mobility. If you stay in an estate or complex, installing a charging point at a carport might not be very practical, and taking your car to the mall once a week to find an open slot with an uber-fast charging station and a coffee shop ready to become your next remote office, sounds easier said than done. It might require a rethink and is certainly worth taking into consideration.
Despite this, Volvo’s local performance in the EV market has been nothing short of impressive. In the first four months of 2024, the EX30 accounted for nearly a third of all EV sales in South Africa, helping Volvo snatch a 46% share of the country’s EV market. That’s a massive slice of the pie.
When it comes to pricing, the Volvo EX30 brings an impressive balance of premium features and affordability to the South African electric vehicle market. Starting at R775’900 for the entry-level Core Single Motor variant, Volvo has made the transition to electric more accessible, pricing it in line with similarly sized combustion-engine SUVs. For those seeking more range or performance, the EX30 Plus Single Motor Extended Range is available at R865’900, while the high-performance Twin Motor variants peak at R995’900.
With this range of options, Volvo offers a competitive entry point into the luxury EV segment. The Volvo EX30 is gorgeous – no doubt – but we’re not ready to make the full electric switch quite yet.
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