New EX30: Smallest Volvo to be biggest seller

Volvo Car Australia has outlined an ambitious plan to sell 3900 examples of the EX30 through to the end of the calendar year, having already taken orders for 1500 units, thanks in part to assertive pricing that opens at $59,990 before on-road costs. 

If that demand and supply is maintained, it could lead to the EX30 replacing the larger XC40 – that remains available with petrol and battery electric drivetrain options – as most-popular Volvo model in Australia. 

 
The EX30 range kicks off with the Single Motor Plus rear-wheel drive entry-level variant, while the more highly-specified Single Motor Ultra model lists at $66,290 + ORC, and the range-topping Twin Motor Performance flagship with all-wheel drive is a $71,290 + ORC proposition. 

Volvo Car Australia managing director Stephen Connor told GoAuto at the launch of the new EX30 crossover range that the brand sees this car appealing to a broad spectrum of buyers. 

“It's going to create a new demographic that's going to come into Volvo,” he said. 

“We're going to pull people from other brands which is great. We're also going to pull a younger demographic as well through to the brand as well, which opens up our market completely.  

“The EX30 is not a car for everybody. It's a great car. It's a great size. But that's when we think we will naturally migrate people to EX40 pure electric, and then obviously through the range if needed as well. 

"Obviously it's not going to take away any XC90 or EX90 sales because that's completely different segments,” he said. 

Mr Connor predicted that the business is likely to sell a higher proportion of the Twin Motor models (60 per cent of the current production plan), with the remainder split between the two more affordable RWD variants.  

“So I think we will start to see that settle down. I think the perception for consumers is they must always have the Twin Motor, because it's faster than it does 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds -- that's a quick car, right. But do you really need those quick cars? 

“And I think you know, when people start getting used to speed, they don't need that quick. And as you've seen from the Single, it still is good, it still drives well, it handles the weight pretty well. So there's no issues really. 

“But again, it depends where you're pulling your market from -- if you're pulling the market from, let's say MG for instance, I think a lot of those will go for the Single, and if you're pulling your market from  people already in the brand, I think they will probably step up to the Twin. But at the moment we're hedging our bets, but let's see.” 

All versions of the EX30 come with the “Extended Range” battery pack, a 69kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) unit with 11kW AC charging and 153kW DC charging capacities. 

Recharge times are estimated to be eight hours from 0-100 percent at the maximum AC rate, while a DC rapid charger should be able to replenish the battery from 10-80 per cent in 26 minutes, according to the brand. 

Driving range is around 480km WLTP for the Single Motor versions, and 460km WLTP for the Twin Motor.  

The two entry grades have a 200kW/343Nm rear-mounted motor with a single-speed transmission, offering a speedy 0-100km/h time (claim) of 5.3 seconds. 

Dual-motor AWD versions output a combined 315kW and 543Nm, smashing the 0-100 acceleration time in just 3.6 seconds, the brand states. 

Standard specification for the base grade Single Motor Plus includes LED lighting, 19-inch alloy wheels, a two-tone roof (all grades have a choice of five colours), an electric tailgate, auto-dimming mirrors, a 12.3-inch touchscreen media system employing Google technology and connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, two-zone climate control, and a leather-free interior that makes use of recycled materials.  

There is also a digital (smartphone) key if needed plus a Harman Kardon premium sound system. 

Step up to the Ultra spec and the extra $6300 outlay adds items such as 20-inch alloy wheels, a fixed panoramic roof, tinted rear windows, heated and power-adjustable front seats with four-way lumbar adjustment, a heated steering wheel, a 360-degree surround-view camera and semi autonomous parking technology. 

The range-topping Twin Motor Performance adds nothing in terms of standard spec but gains traction by way of its additional motor and all-wheel drive, which also deliver extreme performance and acceleration.  

Volvo has a confirmed supply of 3900 examples from the Chinese factory to Australia for the remainder of 2024, and Mr Connor said the order write is currently sitting at 40 per week, a number he expects to rise to “50 or 60” in due course.  

As a result, it is unlikely that the EX30 will be the brand’s best-selling car this year, but it could be in 2025, when it is expected that the petrol versions of the XC40 may finish up, and the soon-to-be-renamed XC40 Recharge electric models (to be called EX40 by mid-2024) continue on. 

In 2023, the XC40 range accounted for the bulk of Volvo sales, with a record tally of 5837 units sold. Combined with the related coupe-style C40 (1103 units in 2023), the pair made up 62.3 per cent of all Volvos sold (11,128 for the full calendar year). 

Over the first four months of 2024, however, Volvo Car Australia has seen something of a slump, with just 2617 units sold across the entire model range (compared to 3781 for the same period in 2023). 

2023 Volvo EX30 pricing*: