► Volvo adds a little SUV attitude to the EX30
► Cross Country based on the Performance AWD
► CAR has a first drive on the frozen lakes of northern Sweden
Volvo isn’t just about estates – in 2025, it’s barely about estates. The V90 is being discontinued while its flagships: the EX90 SUV and ES90 hatchback-thing, are a sign of the times. People don’t really want high-end estates anymore, so why would Volvo make them?
Instead, things like this EX30 Cross Country are rolling out of Gothenburg. On trend with a small footprint, electric power and an electric SUV body, it’s been described as a ‘espresso of Volvoness,’ by the Swedes. The aim is to condense the brand’s integrity and essence into a smaller, more sellable form factor. And now it gets a robust-looking Cross-Country version. Could it be more Scandinavian?
Is it any good? Or is this a step too far for the rapidly shape-shifting Volvo brand? To find out we tested it in Sweden, but also in the UK and on varying qualities of road. Keep reading for our full review.
Should you buy the Volvo EX30 CC? If you want practicality and the odd burst of adrenaline you really should – providing you’ve got deep pockets. For everyone else, the standard EX30, with a lesser powertrain, would be more suitable.
At a glance
Pros: Raised ride height, stylish and rugged appeal, hilariously quick acceleration
Cons: Limited driving range, pricey compared with latest small EVs, intrusive stability control and body roll
What’s new?
The Cross Country is based on the EX30 Performance AWD, but to give it SUV-style chops, it gets a 19mm hike in ride height, chunkier front and rear bumpers, roof rails, and a new front panel featuring an etched topographical map of Kebnekaise, Sweden’s highest peak. These accents are all in matt black as you’d expect on a Cross Country, and these tweaks are certainly effective in giving the EX30 more attitude.
It comes with a new set of 19-inch alloys, but buyers can also specify 18-inch wheels with chunky all-terrain tyres for added off-road ability. Volvo is positioning this as more than just a trim level – it’s part of an entire Cross Country ‘experience,’ with a range of accessories including a full roof rack, mudflaps, and an electric towbar to help you get down and dirty.
What are the specs?
The EX30 Cross Country’s twin motor Performance AWD setup means 422bhp and 400lb ft of torque, which is enough to get this thing from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds – only 0.1 seconds slower than the regular Twin Motor EX30, despite the extra kit. That’s a lot of poke for a seemingly inoffensive family SUV, but as Volvo will tell you, this is all about delivering safe overtaking. Hmm.
The WLTP tested driving range is 264 miles on standard tyres and 19-inch wheels. Opt for the off-road rubber, and that drops to 230 miles. Not ideal, as I reckon 300 miles should be your absolute minimum these days, but given that most of these will rarely stray beyond the school run or a weekend trip to the Lake District, it’s probably fine. Just remember that rapid charging is rubbish up there.
The suspension and damping has been tweaked with softer settings, which should be perfect for urban warriors. Small changes, but they add up.
Range and Charging
The EX30 Cross Country’s 69kWh battery pack is on the smaller side of average these days, but charging is swift enough, with up to 153kW available at a suitable DC rapid charger, meaning a 10-to-80% top-up can be done in around 26 minutes. AC home charging at 11kW takes about seven hours for a full charge, so an overnight plug-in should see you ready to go.
Efficiency will naturally take a hit in colder conditions or when loaded up with adventure gear, but for an electric soft-roader, charging is quick enough when you’re on the go. Just don’t expect to match the range and convenience of a diesel-powered Cross Country of old, obviously.
Think about using any of that performance under your right foot, and the the EX30’s longevity shrinks further. It’s of course down to the driver to make the best use of the car’s energy, though.
How does it drive?
We drove the EX30 CC earlier in the year on the ice, and while fun it wasn’t the most accurate representation of the ride or handling of the car. What we could learn, however, was that it’s both quick and grippy.
Take the same car to Wales and that formula doesn’t really change. The EX30 CC feels like a go-kart, and even a whiff of the accelerator pedal will have you launched at the horizon – albeit in a smooth and silent way. Performance this manic harks back to something like the 850 T5.
The higher ride height makes you feel as though you’re flying over the tarmac at speed, and it’s just about as soft and compliant as you’d hope for. The brakes also work admirably and mean you’re softer to unlock some of the EX30’s unlikely power.
In the corners, the EX30 starts to make a little less sense. It’s higher than before, and it’s sensible top-heavy silouhette doesn’t feel able to cope with he masses of power underneath. With that in mind, you’ll find it’s a little more ‘leany’ in the corners than you’d want. That in turn makes you less confident to use any of its power.
The other area of weakness comes with the steering, which is perfect around town but lacks a bit of firmness of detail at speed. The car can feel a little loose at times when pushing on, and it’d be great for an ever-so-slightly firmer steering feel. As is, this car would be potentially more pleasant with less power.
And when you do want to get out of shape? Then you’ll find the ESC spoiling all the fun, although we suppose this is Volvo at the end of the day.
What’s the interior like?
Step inside and you’ll find the same minimalist cabin as the standard Volvo EX30, and that means your mileage will vary. Minimalist design is extremely difficult to get right without feeling basic – and the EX30’s flitters around the basic level. It can sometimes feel sparse rather than clean, a trap its Polestar neighbours do a good job not to fall into. At least it feels solidly constructed and the trims are good to touch, too.
The 12.3-inch portrait touchscreen dominates the dashboard, controlling almost everything, from climate settings to navigation, via the mirrors and driving modes. Thankfully, the latest software updates have improved usability, with Apple CarPlay now included and better voice commands. Newbies will find the relentless screen jabbing tiresome and potentially unsafe, but familiarity breeds some relief – but at the risk of sounding like a stuck record, it needs buttons.
There are no cockpit dials here, though, so you’ll need to switch between the road and the top corner of the touchscreen to check your speed. Fine if you know the roads, but not so great if you’re somewhere urban, or a village in Wales – where the speed limit switches from 20 to 30mph at will. There’s also no HUD, to make life easier.
Material choices lean towards sustainability, with two colour schemes available: ‘Pine’ (a mix of wool and Nordico upholstery) and ‘Indigo’ (recycled denim for a blue and purple aesthetic). It’s all very Volvo – modern, stylish, and environmentally conscious. Interior room is reasonable enough up front, but cramped for anyone in the rear, making this a dodgy option for growing families.
Before you buy
The EX30 Cross Country is something of a niche product – it doesn’t have too many direct rivals. If you want an electric SUV with some off-road capability, you’re looking at the Jeep Avenger 4xe (plug-in hybrid rather than full EV) or the Audi Q4 E-Tron Quattro. The UK price is £45,560, which is steep.
There’s only one Cross Country to choose from, unfortunately, and a UK Volvo representative said it was highly unlikely that they would be extending the EX30 Cross Country line. I think they’re missing a trick by not offering a cheaper version, as few buyers really want four-wheel drive and a sub-four second 0-62mph time.
Verdict
The Volvo EX30 Cross Country is not an all-out off-roader, and doesn’t really pretend to be. And truth be told, the old ones never were. They were often a well-loved member of the family, and this feels very much cracked from the same mould. So, for those who want an electric SUV with a bit of rugged charm and a little off-the-beaten track attitude, this is an interesting offering.
I do think it’s the sort of car that could fly off the shelf if they wanted to roll out more (well, cheaper) variations – buyers can’t get enough of electric SUVs, and the EX30 really is an appealing blend of Sports and Utility. For now, though, it’s a stylish, capable, and pricey addition to Volvo’s EV lineup. Just don’t expect it to be the go-to choice for green laning or serious off-road exploits.