Australia's best EV? The 2024 Volvo EX30 Ultra – Single Motor Extended Range

Not only does it have one of the longest names of any vehicle on the road today, but the 2024 Volvo EX30 Ultra - Single Motor Extended Range (yes that's really its full title) could just be Australia's best electric vehicle right now. It's a car that just makes sense on multiple levels.

Legacy brands have been playing catchup to the likes of Tesla, and now, a multitude of Chinese entrants. The newcomers have had the advantage to date, with vehicles designed to be EV from the ground up, while the OGs have had to adapt to keep up. Volvo is among them, possessing a long history of safety.

Its self-imposed transition to a full electric-only range by 2026 has seen the launch of the XC40 and C40 Recharge variants already – but this is different. This writer has never driven an EV where everything just made sense – until a week in the Volvo EX30.

For the uninitiated, Volvo now forms part of the monolith Geely Group that also owns Polestar, Lotus and the recently launched, Zeekr. That’s important, because it means the EX30 takes advantage of Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), which is deployed across various brands and models.

This platform is EV in design from the ground up; as such it doesnt wear the compromises of adapting electric powertrains to an ICE platform. It’s evident from the moment it unlocks on approach, and one grabs the door handle to revealing the cabin.

An optional full-roof glass panel and lighter tones throughout make for a very airy and appealing cabin ambience. High quality materials abound; with metal door handles, ‘transparent décor’ air vents, soft plastics and recycled materials.

The latter is not particular pleasant to touch, but makes sense given the overall design ethos. The no-cost-optional wool blend seating that forms part of the ‘Flax Décor’ is a highlight. In a complementary light grey, when combined with a supremely comfortable heated seat for the driver, it’s a retro touch of the best kind.

It sits low in the chassis, making for a truly cossetted and sporty driving position without affecting visibility. From that seat it became apparent that the space here belies the chassis. We had to remind ourselves that we were in a a small car.

Smart touches like door panels that are devoid of switchgear mean that they can be scalloped outward, resulting in a comfortable armrest and a feeling of added width to the cabin. Up ahead is where the biggest design diversion occurs, with the space behind the squarish steering wheel devoid of any instrumentation.

All vehicle related functions, displays and interactions are reserved for the 12.3-inch portrait screen in the centre console. Initial reservations around diverting attention to check speed did eventually dissipate, and is not as large a safety issue as we initially thought.

The screen itself is crisp in resolution, vibrant and responsive. The operating system is easy to interpret and sensible. Given our time in other Chinese manufactured vehicles, it was evident that core Volvo fundamentals haven’t been messed with, and we’re thankful for that.

It’s underpinned by Android Auto, which wasn’t an issue until we learned there’s no Apple CarPlay, yet. This writer couldn’t control the facial reaction when the Volvo delegate told us this fact, but like the screen itself, the trepidation was dispelled once we signed into the onboard Spotify and Google Maps apps.

The latter displays end-of-trip expected battery capacity and charging options, which helped with anxiety during a 200km round trip up the NSW coast. Sound is played through an excellent 9-speaker 1040w system which includes a soundbar atop the dashboard.

Device charging is a combination of two USB ports and a wireless pad up front. Clever storage is a highlight, starting with those cavernous doors, which were lined to prevent inevitable rattles (we LOVE this). Drink holders pop out from the armrest.

A hidden storage compartment where the transmission tunnel would normally be runs right through to the rear passenger area. The frunk is a charging cable-only proposition, but the boot provides a very handy 622-litres. That can extend out to 904-litres with the rear row folded flat.

Rear accommodation features the same lovely wool and adequate space for adults. The only issue we can report was a slightly smaller entry aperture than we’d like. Once inside though, occupants get USB ports to keep their devices topped up while taking in the sunshine from above.

You can also de-stress in the humdrum of Sydney traffic, or achieve Zen with five different immersive ambience themes. Just kick back, breath the particulate and pollen filtered air, while a combination of on-screen display, audio and in-cabin lighting do their thing. The Nordic theme was a favourite in our household.

While the interior is clearly a highlight, the EX30 also possesses a handsomely cute but refined aesthetic from the outside. Ours was finished in the lairy Moss Yellow with a metallic black roof, which can be swapped out for another four more subtle hues.

Optional machined-face-and-black wheels shod in 245/40R20 Goodyear rubber completed the package. They provided plenty of grip too, but thankfully didn’t affect ride quality as much as we would have thought. In fact, the EX30 was a sound combination of fun driving dynamics and comfort.

It was just as eager to carve a set of bends as it was to potter around. It’s no slouch either, with a single motor driving 200kW through the rear wheels. It can sprint to the magic tonne in a claimed 5.1 seconds and offers 462Km of range.

There is a more powerful dual motor version, but we felt this was more than adequate. As with all new cars, let alone a Volvo of all things, safety is well covered. The list is long, but the key is its all well integrated. It has lane keep assist and driver monitoring, but the calibrations are among the better ones.

In the EX30 we may have found the very best EV available in Australia at present. It doesn’t compromise, possessing a prudent blend of pleasing aesthetic, a long feature list, good driving dynamics and range. At $66,290 plus on-roads (as tested), it’s also compelling buying when you consider the logo on the grille.

You can find out more by talking to your local dealership.

Our test vehicle was supplied by Volvo Australia for independent review purposes. This article was first published on Exhaust Notes Australia.

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