Transportation

I got an early look at Volvo's $34,950 electric SUV and saw why it's one of the best Tesla rivals yet

Tim Levin

2023-07-26T12:47:36Z

A silver-colored Volvo EX30, which has been parked in an exhibition space marked with a white line. — The Volvo EX30 starts at a bargain-bin starting price of $34,950. Tim Levin/Insider

I got an early look at Volvo's $35,000 electric SUV coming in 2024.
The little EX30 packs an estimated 275 miles of range and a stylish, minimalist interior.
It's one of the most exciting Tesla rivals yet.

Elon Musk's Tesla has been untouchable in the US electric-car market for years.

But plenty of major car companies are trying their hardest to challenge the electric-vehicle maker at its own game. And the competition is getting better and better.

Case in point: The upcoming Volvo EX30. The little SUV serves up stylish looks, enough range for most people, and a minimalist interior that improves upon the sort of uncluttered, tech-forward design that Tesla pioneered. All that, plus the electric SUV's bargain-bin starting price, makes the EX30 one of the most exciting Tesla rivals coming down the pike.

Do you love your Tesla or other EV? Hate it? Will you never give up gasoline? We want to hear your thoughts about the car world! Email this reporter at tlevin@businessinsider.com

I got an early look at Volvo's upcoming electric SUV, and I think it's one of the most exciting Tesla rivals yet.

The front of the Volvo EX30, which has been parked in an exhibition space marked with a white line. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

Let me show you around the EX30 and explain why.

The steering wheel of the Volvo EX30, which has a large touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard that is showing a map. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

The little SUV has the hefty, chiseled styling Volvo is known for.

A woman standing against a wall near the Volvo EX30, which has been parked in an exhibition space marked with a white line. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

The design of Tesla's Model 3 and Y are becoming dated. The EX30 looks fresh and cool.

The back lefthand side of the Volvo EX30, which has a small fuel cap and angular windows. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

Up front, you have Volvo's signature Thor's Hammer headlights.

I like how Volvo kept the SUV's front end clean and modern rather than slapping on a fake grille.

The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

The interior embraces Swedish minimalism and is a refreshing change from the norm.

The front passenger seat of the Volvo EX30. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

I think Volvo took the uncluttered, techy look that Tesla pioneered and gave it a much-needed style update.

The steering wheel of the Volvo EX30 as seen through the driver's side window. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

Instead of a bunch of speakers scattered around, Volvo put the whole stereo system in a sound bar on the dashboard.

A closeup of the steering wheel of the Volvo EX30, which has an oval shape. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

To further simplify the interior, Volvo took all the usual clutter from the doors and elsewhere and put it in the center of the car.

The cushioned seats on the Volvo EX30. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

The center armrest houses the window switches and door locks.

The centre armrest in the Volvo EX30, which has slots for USB-C ports and buttons to operate the door locks. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

Instead of a glove box, you'll find a storage cubby with USB-C ports down low.

An open glove box in the Volvo EX30, which has a storage cubby and several USB-C ports. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

And in the back row, the USB-C ports and window switches are also centralized.

The back of the centre armrest in the Volvo EX30, which has several USB-C ports and window switches at the back. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

The design makes the whole interior easy on the eyes and creates more elbow room by slimming down the doors.

A close-up of the door on the Volvo EX30, which has minimalistic door handles. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

Volvo also did away with the gauge cluster and most buttons in favor of a central touchscreen.

A close-up of the touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard in the Volvo EX30, which shows a map alongside the car's range. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

Here's a nice touch: The top section of the screen displays all the info that would usually be right in front of the driver, like speed and range.

The top of the touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard in the Volvo EX30. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

Volvo placed that bit high enough that drivers could glance over while keeping their eyes on the road.

A close-up of the touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard in the Volvo EX30. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

The display uses a Google operating system that's nicer than most car software and comes with Google Maps built in. The EX30 also ships with wireless Apple CarPlay.

The touchscreen from the Volvo EX30 plugged in to charge on a worktop that is illuminated with modern-looking LED lights. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

The efforts to cut complexity also make the EX30 greener to manufacture, since fewer parts are needed.

The backrow of seats in the Volvo EX30. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

The cabin is also super stylish and quirky.

I particularly liked the speckled bits made from recycled plastic and the slim, shiny door handles.

A close-up of the sleek-looking door handles on the back row of the Volvo EX30. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

Cupholders pop out from the center console when you need them …

The central armrest of the Volvo EX30. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

… and there's a removable storage/trash bin between the seats.

The removable trash/storage bin placed on top of the central armrest in the Volvo EX30. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

Interior space is decent, but the EX30 is a pretty compact SUV so don't expect tons of legroom in the back.

A view across the back seats of the Volvo EX30. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

The range is estimated at a healthy 275 miles for the single-motor, extended-range model. Some electric cars offer more range, but that's solid compared to the competition.

The Volvo EX30, which has been parked in an exhibition space marked with a white line. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

Another huge selling point for the EX30 is its price.

The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

It is set to start at $34,950, which is super competitive with the Model 3's $32,740 starting price (after federal tax credits). The Model 3 is a sedan so it wouldn't compete directly with the EX30, but it is Tesla's cheapest model.

The driver's side door of the Volvo EX30. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

That makes the EX30 one of the lowest-priced EVs in the US — and it's from a premium brand.

The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

Toyota's BZ4X, albeit slightly larger, costs $42,000 and offers 23 fewer miles of range.

The exposed fuel-filled cap on the Volvo EX30. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

The EX30 shouldn't disappoint buyers who want a little extra fun factor in their grocery-getting SUV.

The back left of the Volvo EX30, which has its boot open and "EX30" written on the side in sleek-looking lettering. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

The high-performance, dual-motor model blasts to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, making it the quickest Volvo ever.

A hand opening the front bonnet of the Volvo EX30 to show a small storage space that has a charging cable. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

Between its stylish design, approachable price, and competitive range, I think the EX30 will be a hit once it goes on sale in 2024.

The front righthand side of the Volvo EX30, which has Thor's Hammer headlights. — The Volvo EX30. Tim Levin/Insider

Hey you! Do you love your EV? Will you never give up gasoline? We want to hear your thoughts about the car world! Email this reporter at tlevin@businessinsider.com

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