New Volvo EX30 Review: Fab or Flawed? | 4K

The new Volvo EX30 is the cheapest, fastest and perhaps most interesting Volvo on sale, but is it really all it’s cracked up to be?
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[@flaviantropy]

One of the better car reviewers out there. Balanced and concise.

[@karacha]

I love the styling! To be honest, this has been Volvo's forte for a while now. They make some attractive cars. I hope to have a chance to test drive EX30 next year.

[@andreasl4507]

A great car.

[@lvovodessa]

The Chinese indeed know how to design cars.

[@karacha]

@@lvovodessa They do, but I seriously doubt their automotive engineers have anything to do with Volvo's design. They mostly provide the $$, but stay away from the R&D for the most part.

[@teitpoulsen7183]

Very interesting car. First time Tesla gets a real challenger in terms of value and performance. So good to see real competition. This is great for us consumers!

[@redwhite_040]

This is no competition for Tesla. Model 3 is same price rang, with a lot more interior space and better technical specs.

[@patmanrick]

​@@redwhite_040Tesla is slower, looks less good (IMO), longer so less suited to city driving, no hatchback, not got Volvo reputation for build quality, rain sensors don't work, parking sensors don't work, no turn signal stalk making roundabouts difficult... For lots of people those will be good enough reasons to look at the Volvo. I do think the Tesla is overall a better car, but it's definitely close enough that the Volvo will be a perfectly reasonable choice for many, depending on preferences

[@xxxaabbccxxx]

@@redwhite_040 Except Model 3 is so stripped down it makes even a Volvo entry model looks and feels more premium

[@Woodcote]

@@xxxaabbccxxxAt least a Model 3 has a rear armrest and cup holders 😂

[@StevenClements]

@@Woodcote I don't sit in the back

[@dejanzelko8361]

Alex - excelent review and as always some great information about new car. Love you work with Rory on this channel 😊

[@alanmachin3054]

A very good review. The lane keeping assist is a pain and is an EU directive requirement. The main thing lacking for me is a head up display or at least a speedometer in front of the driver.

[@drxym]

Every car has lane keeping assist. Some manufacturers just implement it better than others. My MG has annoying LKA but I've driven Volkswagens & Peugeots where it is less annoying. I certainly wouldn't want to turn it off. As for head up display I test drove a BYD Seal with it and I actually found it kind of annoying since it was a light source basically in my eyeline the whole time. If there is a HUD it needs a brightness setting.

[@matt-lang]

Volvo already puts HUDs in most of their vehicles as a pretty basic option; it would have been so simple for them to put one in here as a basic feature and address one of the glaring issues most reviewers have had.

[@DennisGeers]

😂 The robot on the boot lid 4:38 is a Backpack 🎒😂

[@stephanierobison1842]

Someone in another video thought it was a car seat... I think you're right, it's a backpack and a bundled up tent.

[@harriettanthony7352]

Nope robot SEEMS the better pick of the litter of names!

[@shaunm9928]

Wow Alex - one of your best reviews ever! Get rid of the niggles Volvo and I am going to try and save like mad to get one - Twin or Single Motor - really not sure on that one? Do I need 3 and some seconds odd at 71? Love the Auto Trader Team😍

[@MegaRetr]

Alex excelent review and as always some great information about new car)

[@keithronson2624]

Alex. As always excellent 'tell it as it is review'. Appreciated. Not least the comment about Tesla not being quite the brand they may think they are! As for the EX30, this could be [damn it! Is! ] the best EV now made and shortly to be available. Design, recycled materials and size. It just looks amazing. At last a car that makes EV driving cool. Thank you again.

[@watchout5508]

Bro that skyward sunroof transition was so good it made me subscribe!!

[@flaviosalatino8192]

I'm a Tesla fan, but boy Volvo hit the ball right out the park! Great Job!!

[@kyriakos098]

The kona ev is better value for money tho. More space and range for less money (apart from 0-60)

[@willielarsson9651]

How come if the tesla network is so good, every time I go to charge my car up and down the country, its full of Teslas

[@flaviosalatino8192]

@@willielarsson9651 where?

[@yissibiiyte]

Well Volvo are just actively ripping off Tesla now, with their "build an interior as cheaply as possible and call it minimalist" approach.

[@sue.Holmes1960]

@@willielarsson9651 because there are so many Teslas sold, more sold, more on the market. Same could be said about Fiestas 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@YawKhepra]

Looks nice. I always liked Volvo even the old boxes.

[@epbrown01]

*Especially* the old boxes. 🙂

[@tooltalk]

It's Geely.

[@harriettanthony7352]

Boxes? How about the Volvo 1800? I owned one of these {and so did the actor on the TV show The Saint} and it was a fine machine

[@clubbizarre]

Thanks for your honest review incl the flaws. Does it have decent voice control to set up the car? For instance the rear fog lights via voice

[@isaiah123456wp7]

I despise this obsession of placing all vehicle controls and guages inside a single center screen. Not only does it make the car look cheap,but it's also dangerous. I can't wait for this trend to end.

[@Woodcote]

I felt the same way initially, but after getting used to it in a Tesla…it just feels more relaxing not having the additional controls. It helps that the driver profiles are amazing, and generally once your setup you’re good. Hopefully the voice controls works as well on a Volvo for those times you do need to make an adjustment on the fly.

[@erolthegreat]

I like it. You get used to it and it works.

[@subrogation747]

Aren’t all these features capable of voice control?

[@AD-lf9ck]

It could only end if we all refuse to buy with one. Also won't trust anything coming out of China. Especially connecting phone with car and give them my data

[@najibs]

I thought the same thing at first. After owning a Tesla Model Y for a few months, I now prefer it. The inside of the car looks so clean and minimalist. It’s all about getting used to it.

[@jaypee1608]

Thank you for the super review. Got me checking out leasing rates for this car. I'm also not a big fan of all the buttonlessness and all being controlled through a deep menu structure on a single screen...BUT how well do voice commands work. This is what can compensate for the minimalism in the future but they have to work really well to do so...

[@obopileboikanyogaborone9279]

Volvo is spot on with their styling. Not many EVs are nice to look at. However no armrest or cup holders in the back???😢😢😢...how much more would have those cost to include?

[@razvanlex]

I've rarely seen people using the armrest. I had one on almost every car. Also never used the cupholders in the back. The rule is never to have drinks in the car other than water, and it's always in a bottle. But that's me, other people might really need it.

[@obopileboikanyogaborone9279]

@razvanlex I mean, the best seat in any car according to me is at the back. I can't imagine taking a road trip in my premium Volvo and having to hold my water bottle for hours at end while having to support my body with my other arm🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿... sorry. Really is a deal breaker for me.

[@razvanlex]

@@obopileboikanyogaborone9279 If you're in the back then either it's not YOUR Volvo or it's not the RIGHT Volvo, if it's an EX30. You're probably thinking of the EX90 Excellence. Why do you need to hold you're bottle, there are spaces in the doors for that. Cup holders are for coffee or soft drinks I think. If you really need support for your body in the back seat, I suppose you're overweight? But we're not the same, for me not a problem but if you prefer it it's fine. The problem for Volvo it's you're probably a minority. Volvo might be premium/luxury but fromS60/XC60 upwards.

[@bw1376]

@@razvanlex I know a couple with an XC40 that have two children that use the cupholders in the rear armrest. Not everybody needs an oversized SUV in Europe to move their family around in.

[@razvanlex]

@@bw1376 Yes, it's true, but HOW MANY use that feature? I think they can survive without the cupholders in the rear armrest. An XC40 with two kids I think it's kind of small.

[@lexwaldez]

I love everything about this car BUT... the lack of physical knobs for lights, heat, fan, radio, etc. Physical, tactile knobs and buttons are a must for something if you want a simple, safe driving experience. A good first effort that will require some refinement.

[@melvinx01]

voice controls....

[@TheDavecroft]

Not necessarily. Since I got smart devices I've found how easy and convenient it is to control things by voice. I'd prefer telling my car to switch the wipers on or turn the heating up rather than hunt around for buttons.

[@toobasaurus23]

I really love this car. Looks good, and EV, and drives fast. The only thing I dont like is no HUD. Checking the speedo on the centre console is annoying if not dangerous.

[@Mizzkan]

It looks awful but I agree it’s fast and competitive even though the range is also poor.

[@MrQwerty3000]

glancing down and very slightly to the left as opposed to glancing straight down really isn't dangerous. I've been doing this in my Tesla for 4 years trust me. Go for a test drive, after 10 minutes you'll be totally used to it

[@Mizzkan]

@@MrQwerty3000 It’s dangerous. No thanks.

[@eduardoherrera9184]

Great review as Usual Loved every comment on the car

[@Coops92]

Definitely a contender but not sure if that central screen is a deal breaker for me. A HUD would have been great.

[@wilsoch]

Agree! I really like this car, and I'm genuinely considering it, but this makes me pause. To be honest, if Volvo offered an instrument binnacle as an add-on option, I'd buy it. I just don't like the center screen speedo.

[@SeanHogan_frijole]

The centre console is stupid. Yes it’s clean from an aesthetic pov, but it’s stupid putting all the controls into one device with one large interface like a large touch screen. Physical controls work from a reason. The proverbs about eggs and a basket come to mind.

[@cypvh74]

Yeah, it seems so close to perfect. Just needs a driver’s display or HUD, and few more physical controls. Maybe the 2nd gen.

[@neiloxley7229]

I've got the V40 which is button-tastic, and a lot just aren't used. But I can't get my head around removing all of the physical and often used ones. Had an XC60 courtesy car in the summer and even that button-light cabin was a bit too extreme. Counter-intuitive for a brand otherwise hell bent on safety. Volvo no more, sadly.

[@MrQwerty3000]

Some people think they need a central binnacle or HUD because that's what they're used to. I've been driving my Tesla for 4 years now, it was only strange for the first 10 minutes - take a test drive before you decide it's not for you. Don't write off perfectly good (and sometimes great) cars because they have unfamiliar interiors. E.g. do you really need a physical button to move the wing mirrors when you do it probably once then leave it alone for the life of the car?

[@hqew6662]

Good review. Thanks for checking how good the driving assistance features actually are. I feel like reviewers just mention but forget to test the actual tech

[@ps-dn7ce]

Wow, this review is excellent. Thanks!

[@aliyigitsanl1967]

Having a single touch screen for everything is disturbing and impractical yet I can see this SUV is going to be record-breaker with sales. Amazing compact design and quality

[@thisisme5487]

I was considering this car until I saw that. Not a fan of that at all.

[@simono4991]

Why do we have to accept the trade-off of engineering excellence against ergonomic madness? It would have been so easy for Volvo to make this brilliant rather than compromised.

[@Dazpowder.1754]

Cost.

[@berthogendoorn2133]

Voice commands work very very well, so no issue changing climate and other funtions

[@cooper_8505]

Such an amazing video. Bravo 👏🏼👏🏼

[@05assahse]

Alex, excellent review as ever. Not always been a fan of Volvo but the EX30 has made me had a re-think

[@nevco8774]

No information about charging properties in kW: AC on livel 2 and DC on level 3. If charging is just in min - it says nothing informative.

[@petere8129]

Really great review Alex, very concise full of detail with a lovely touch of humour added. I’ve been waiting for one of the premium brands to get it right and I think this is the closest we’ve got so far. Hopefully the production models will iron out the issues you highlighted. Then it probably be a complete car, although I don’t think I could ever get past the lack of a central speedo or a head up display.

[@abalakrishnan4152]

My mom has a model 3 and when I drove it I was surprised at how little that affected the driving experience. And also the safety nannies aren’t really intrusive unless you actually have a wheel out of the lane. If you can I would recommend test driving one.

[@user-fx5hp4ru1l]

Not sure if I agree with the LFP vs NMC as MDF vs Oak comparison. The LFP has the way longer longevity, it can take way more charging cycles and has a reduced impact on the environment, while it's more suitable to be charged to 100% and has a flatter charge curve (although yes, the peak is lower.) to me, the LFP is the superior battery technology, where i'm going to forgive it's reduced energy density compared to NMC which results in the slightly lower effiency of the car.

[@mikefarrington7141]

They're also safer, which is a huge plus. Damage or defects won't cause them to go into thermal runaway, avoiding intense self-fueling fires (which are rare with other chemistries, but dangerous when they occur). I think they're perfect for mass-market, non-performance EVs that are charged at home most of the time. Only avoid it if you're a frequent road-tripper or do all of your charging at DC fast chargers.

[@patrickrammer9066]

100% true. Thats the reason, next to the price, which is why i am going to buy the LFP battery setup.

[@kyliefan7]

I agree 100% with what you said! I don’t look at it as base or inferior.

[@NickPerry]

Also Oak Furniture Land is just terrible.

[@tooltalk]

This is not true. Plesea stop spreading misinformation. >> The LFP has the way longer longevity, it can take way more charging cycles ...> a reduced impact on the environment,

[@jasonallatt5410]

Great review and car looks good!

[@fmcarona]

Remember vocal commands to manage the clima too... This makes easy to control everything in the central console, easier than physical buttons!

[@sevensixtysteve8662]

Sounds like the screen layout needs a bit of tweaking but at least it's all doable with over the air updates. The lack of physical buttons doesn't really phase me, HVAC I pretty much never alter in my car, its set at 21C and heats or cools the cabin as needed. If I need to change it, I use the voice command and if that's available for functions like the fog lights in the EX30, it would be fine (for me) - but I appreciate that everyone is different. Overall I love the EX30 and I like and appreciate Volvo's direction of simplifying and cost reduction - it certainly makes some of the German brands with hyper-screens, crystal studded buttons and million colour ambient lights look unnecessarily complex, expensive and dinosaurish. If the future of cars is EV, this is a much better bet - good to look at and drive, relatively low environmental impact and relatively

[@alexisdalmeida2147]

Everything is voice activated. She didn’t tell it in the review, but you don’t need to touch the screen for anything

[@FrankTheTankA1]

@@alexisdalmeida2147 Something I noticed that bugged me. With Google Assistant you can adjust pretty much everything in the car with just your voice. Even a voice button if you want. Similar to Polestar 2.

[@MartySkiGuy]

Great concise review thanks. One point on the climate control settings. If the car has Google Assistant, the same as other recent Volvo's, you can change the climate settings by voice command. No need to touch the buttons.

[@fug33]

relying on voice commands for simple tasks that can be done with a press of a single button is not the solution - also, its much harder to fine tune temp/fan settings with voice commands not to mention everyone in the car needs to stop talking in order for the driver to talk to google about temp change lmao

[@razvanlex]

@@fug33 It's not that bad even on the screen, the current generation Volvo has the same. Although I have a dedicated button for defrost I usually use vocal command. But I rarely need to do that because it can be started automatically with the car below some temperature. Also the steering wheel and the heated seats. And the car can be remotely started via Volvo Cars app or, in the case of a fixed program via timer, every Mo-Fr at 7.30 for example.

[@johngaudet6316]

I wonder if it's got heated wipers aswell like all new Volvos, I love my 19' V60 Cross country especially the Bowers&Wilkins audio. You start it and the heated everything comes on automatically as you've previously programmed it.

[@razvanlex]

@@johngaudet6316 Not all new Volvo's have heated wipers, it's an option. Presumably everything comes on only below 10 degrees celsius...

[@stephencrowther524]

Who cares about 0-60 really ? Needs hud at least and buttons/knobs for some functions. Built for ease of manufacture rather than for the user. The centre console “do it all” display idea is flawed and potentially dangerous.

[@AllyAlliue]

Wonderful review 👏

[@alanrutland4424]

I didn’t realise that a central speedo binnacle cost so much that a huge saving made by not having it. !!!!! They may have just called it Volvo Tesla as they have taken so many design cues from that. At least they kept the indicator stalk 😊. I do wonder whether they ever have customer clinics to ask what they want or whether designers just do what they can get away with it in the name of modern - or Penny pinching perhaps.

[@harriettanthony7352]

And a surprizing cost is the stalks! And ANY headlights, source Munro Live

[@0911relax]

I test drove this weekend and ordered mine straight away!

[@rob_lightbody]

Good balanced review and the touchscreen comments tally with the Autocar review. Neither review mentions voice commands however, which should work well given its a Google system.

[@CelareOfficial]

Saw one of these on the road ( in grey ). It looked absolutely majestic. Wish i could get one if i had the money

[@christopherrumantono2384]

Reminding the fact that Volvo was the pioneer of safest car, I think eliminating physical buttons to only one single touch screen is definitely insulting the brand of its own

[@RyanCowan]

Excellent review !

[@hm-andrew]

It is a gorgeous car, elegant, just the right size with one of the best designs I've seen in many, many years, but with one major flaw: integrating basic controls behind a display is just wrong. And for now, this is definitely a deal breaker.

[@alexisdalmeida2147]

Everything you need is voice activated, climate, lights, everything, you don’t need to touch the screen

[@hm-andrew]

@@alexisdalmeida2147 Voice controlled functions in a car is worse than touch sensitive buttons or all controls behind a display.

[@nopota7290]

@@hm-andrew How is voice controlled functions worse? Voice control means you don't even need to take your hand of the wheel to press anything. It's the absolute safest way of controlling your car.

[@andreiavasi7600]

Love the styling and the car. Don't love all the central screen stuff, too much faff to do anything. So instead of warning chimes for everything, which is just annoying, how about we design the interior in a way where the driver intuitively has their eyes on the road because they don't have to fumble through menus while driving.

[@chrisyson]

I’ve seen a few reviews of this car now. Everyone has the same issue with the touch controls and the speedo. Would be interesting to see what the voice controls are like for the heating etc and interesting to see if Volvo add a heads up display for the speed eventually

[@theoneandonlybenjamin]

Having a V90 with Google Automotive i can tell you that it does a lot more than just the heating. From activating the reduced guard to turning on the heated seats via lowering the windows or opening the boot. basically most functions that do not require a physical switch being moved from one position to another. I think this is the aim of Volvo here. Speak to your car if you need something and if you are going to use a system you can speak to why not use the best in the business. GOOGLE

[@mrlooneycooney8948]

Only ‘everyone who hasn’t driven them’ , actually it’s quit visible and doesnt bother at all… People compare it to Tesla, but forgot that Volvo is the best in the ergonomics-class, certainly their interiors. Always been like that and always will be..

[@MrQwerty3000]

You need to live with the car a while. After 10 mins of driving my Model 3 I was completely used to not having a central binnacle - you think it's going to be a problem because you've always had one, in reality it isn't

[@JNunez7]

How do people feel about vehicles heading towards putting most controls in a screen? I like the physical buttons and dials 😕 I feel it’s one the more off putting things in some the nicer new vehicles.

[@k.j.hulander2204]

The point is to use voice commands, which is safer than buttons and dials. The question is how much are those buttons and dials worth to the buyer and Tesla has-fortunately or unfortunately-showed that buyers ultimately decide based on a price/performance proposition and thus we are moving toward the car as a convenience appliance rather than an involved piece of machinery with “soul”.

[@chow-chihuang4903]

Voice controls can be safer, if they correctly recognize and respond. When they don’t, they make driving more dangerous. My wife says she’s never witnessed me driving as dangerously as when I struggle with the voice recognition system in my Subaru. So I’ve long given up on trying to use it. The capacitive controls also are dangerously distracting as I have to look to use them and I sometimes activate one unintentionally when moving my fingers past it (it’s usually the audio source control - I’ve learned to simply ignore it until I feel I have time to safely switch it back).

[@NickFoster]

I like it, but that's why I drive a Tesla. Nice and clean, no clutter.

[@JNunez7]

@@k.j.hulander2204 voice command totally went over my head, forgot it existed 😅. The Tesla things makes sense as well; if you can slap a good price on it then most people probably won’t mind making the change.

[@JNunez7]

@@chow-chihuang4903 hmmm 🤔 I mentioned in a reply to the comment above that I had totally forgot that voice command exists as a feature 😅. I’m interested to know, if you have any specific examples on how you feel the voice command feature (not working properly), makes it dangerous, is it just the fact that it kinda forces you to revert back to the manual controls? I’n my experience with manual controls, I think muscle memory and a bit of photographic memory allows me to get to certain controls with having to look for them, and like you, I’ve learned to just wait also for the safest opportunity to do so.

[@tedshred8932]

Will it be future proof in it's ability to switch over to solid state for instance?

[@michael_thiel]

I'd love to see a review of the voice commands to see if they can make up for the lack of physical buttons.

[@normantang7456]

Are the backrow seats foldable to create larger space? How flat do the seats fold to?

[@Rieger81]

Don't forget it is a Google system that has a great voice control function to mitigate the need to do everything on the touchscreen, keeping eyes on the road.

[@hqew6662]

This makes me excited for the EX60.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

I don't know. I think that's a ways down the road. 2026, if we're lucky.

[@doalwa]

Close contender for replacing my Model 3 when the lease is up, very nice looking machine!

[@francopetri2145]

I think you forgot to mention that the car has google assistant which makes it really easy turning every little setting you want like turning on the fog lights by just saying "hey google turn on the fog lights" or by pressing your mic button on the steering wheel and then saying which setting you want to adjust. Other than that a really good review. Keep up the good work!

[@matsthorstad1921]

Alex! Why not use the voice comander for turning on the seat heat, adjust temp and so much more things you can use the voice to control. No need to take your eys of the road!!

[@TrancedForLife]

This is a win from volvo, watch it sell like hot cakes. Alex you're magnificent!

[@somerandomfella]

Gotta admit. It's a pretty cool daily.

[@maar73n79]

I love the cars exterior design, but if i were browsing for a compact EV, the lack of a digital driver display and having to do everything via the central screen would be a dealbreaker. I know, I know, some people say you will get used to it, but it just triggers me in terms of ergonomics and practicality, plus being a huge safety issue. I'd rather shop a Polestar 2 (albeit smaller) or an (X)C40 to still have some physical buttons for functions that just dont warrant a touchscreen.

[@robertwalker1742]

I have a xc60, love it to bits, this is the only EV I would consider had one on demo when mine was in for service, performance was amzing.

[@Tokeknudsen]

Before I saw the video, i liked the EX30 . Now I LOVE it! I want to take it for a testspin

[@umutcakmak3221]

They could've just put a 3 digit small led for speedometer... or some HUD as optional package

[@Daniel31415]

Everything about this car is excellent, except the missing heads up display. If they could just copy that one thing over from the Polestar 2, then this would literally be the perfect car

[@Woodcote]

Well…maybe add a rear armrest and cup holders too 😜

[@MrMuntheNO]

Cant wait to get mine. Note, all controls can be used with voice control.

[@russellhartas3438]

Why do you not mention how long the battery is expected to last and how much to replace it

[@hccc8782]

There must be a smart voice assistant that can help to do settings and allow drivers to focus more on the road.

[@tonyb7748]

As an S90 owner i despise SUV's in general but this snappy little thing would be neat to have for quick shots into the city or weekend trips.

[@Drod8899]

where was this filmed? It's gorgeous!

[@theaimuse]

Still priced significantly higher than Tesla, with lower range. They need to drop it another 8k or so to match Tesla prices.

[@BohdanWynnyckyj]

4:37 I'm pretty sure that's a hiking backback not a robot...🤔

[@felixsanhueza]

We all want it to be a robot, though, right 😂

[@mikefarrington7141]

Not gonna lie, a robot is exactly what I thought when I first saw the symbol in a different review.

[@legouix]

Let's just stick with robot. Way more fun

[@outrospection4all]

Love reviews by brits, straightforward and chilled... americans will learn one day!

[@prudencecarter9564]

I have reserved one! So excited!

[@ArtByEmilyHare]

Had a test drive in one of these yesterday (very nice, not the AWD silly fast one though unfortunately) and the idea with the central thing is you can ask google to do any of the things you want, we trie dit out and maybe 85% of the times we asked it got it right (like heating the seats, or turning on the blower for the windscreen). I was expecting to find the central console thing really annoying (first time driving something like this and not a regular car), but it wasn't an issue at all.

[@johnhodgeman3980]

It's quite clear the production, cadence, visual style, and overall review takes an inspiration from the old Top Gear. Not a bad thing to emulate. The comparison to a Ferrari 360 is exactly what Jeremy Clarkson would say. The only thing missing was a lap around the track by a certain tame racing driver.

[@davidsandeman9837]

Great review. I think there should be laws prohibiting lack of instrument binnacle/hud and centralising controls in a way that potentially distracts from driving.

[@HeLivedherennow]

How is this vs the new model 3 ?

[@Ihatebrexit]

The lack of gauge cluster kills this for me. If the touch screen was voice controlled - that would help. If there was a heads up display, or some indication of speed in front of the driver... I do like the car, but sticking a glorified mobile phone in to distract the driver just seems massively dumb. What if I were to add a separate GPS speedometer, that I can be mounted to the dashboard?

[@red_cloud_o7]

It's voice controlled and even has a voice control button on the steering wheel.

[@mrebear9758]

Damn, this really has all the flaws of a Model 3. No HUD, no instrument cluster, no sun-shade, no physical controls and no leather option.

[@franthonycornett1742]

How functional is the voice command for those requests that require one to take "eyes off the road" ?

[@Woodcote]

No mention of regenerative braking?

[@lawrence300d]

I reserved one it’s going to be my first brand new car ever and I’m very excited when it gets here in 2024

[@Bob22.09]

It could be great if you could show how to open the boot... because when you came out of the car it was already open and also I didn't see how to close it.

[@jasoncarmichael4540]

If I win the lottery this is the car I’d buy , with the use of recycled materials and the great range from the batteries, and the speed with home charging, it ticks all the boxes

[@volvo_kristian]

Nice video 👍 Those small buttons on the screen would annoy me as well. The chase for sustainability have went to far. Need some physical buttons

[@fmcarona]

Remember you can use voice control too for most of the commands (included temperature change)

[@volvo_kristian]

@fmcarona Please no voice command 🤣 When I'm driving I love listening to music, or occasionally podcast. Annoying to "mute" that with every Google request. Better with buttons. Don't like talking to the car. Hardly use it in my XC40. And several of the functions I'm changing can't be controlled by voice

[@markhamilton7289]

ive considered this and thought about it while driving for the last couple of months and you rarely have to use any controls except the volume for the radio and the wipers when you are moving. The aircon i leave at 20.5 most of the time, the lights and wipers are on auto with the only adjustment being the "heavy / light" rain twist on the stalk. Lights are on auto, fullbeam is auto, mirrors are adjusted before I drive off (and once in the correct position i dont adjust them (i dont need to!)). Re the speedo position, it is actually easier to look slightly sideways and refocus than it is to change focus up and down (there are good evolutionary reasons for that!) I think most of the objections are just because it isnt the same as it has always been.

[@chow-chihuang4903]

If the voice controls correctly recognize and respond. Otherwise they’re dangerous due to distraction and frustration.

[@fmcarona]

​@@chow-chihuang4903true. Fortunally it's Google Assistant, best in class between the voice recognition systems.

[@quangminhang9684]

This looks amazing!

[@pgordhan2429]

I have always been against manufacturers removing buttons for essential things like windows, temperature controls and volume rockers/dials for the radio, and I fully get the argument of having to take your eyes off the road just to change these settings on the screen. However, does the assistant help in these situations? Can you say "Hey Google, turn down the heat"?

[@toobasaurus23]

I loved the Status Quo reference.

[@greggb557]

So close to perfection hut near fatally flawed.

[@filipepaninho6558]

I would never buy a soundbar... but I like rhis Volvo! 😉 With sunroof of course!

[@robertpatrick3350]

Mad…. It’s sister car the new Smart has a speedo positioned behind the steering wheel…

[@bw1376]

Mercedes-Benz still owns 50% of the Smart brands so perhaps they insisted it had one.

[@Ezinma88]

Great review. I've been looking for something that has the minimalist cabin of a Tesla that was actually attractive on the outside. This might be it.

[@Encyledus]

There should be a heads up display that displays speed and stuff so u don't have to look over to see that info! Why couldn't they add one :(

[@BradderzTekkerz]

Lovely looking great idea, flipped with these shambolic touchpads cars are now using! If I can’t use my phone how is that allowed!!!?

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Voivo was doing Swedish understated interiors, what some are now calling "minimalism," before Tesla existed. So while Tesla may have inspired the central tablet only display and glass roof, Volvo's interior is thanks to its own heritage more than Tesla. Thanks for giving your height in terms of back space. Not bad for your height but very tight for those a few inches taller. So much in the central display is a mistake. Use some of the space on the "shelf" for buttons. Overall, Volvo should have put more buttons in the car, a driver's display and made it two inches longer for rear legroom. The Volvo design in interior is a beauty especially when considering how much sustainability they've built into it and cut cost but still making something premium, if Swedish spartan, inside. I'd like to see it driven on British rough roads and the US rough roads because Volvos sometimes ride with less compliance than rivals but hopefully they've improved on this with this car and the EX90.

[@razvanlex]

If you want all of these then look at it's sisters, Smart #1 and #3. For me #3 cehcks almost all the boxes. I don't like glass roofs (I drive mostly, not sitting in the back) especially those that don't have a cover. #1 has a cover biut #3 don't.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

@@razvanlex Those aren't sisters. Only Polestar is Volvo's sister brand. Those are cars around the same size by other brands in Geely Holding Group except Smart is a Mercedes owned brand but they collaborated with Geely on the Smart #1 and #3. Those cars will have a different feel to Volvos and it comes down to personal preferences what one would prefer over the other. But the ride and drive characteristics may be quite different even though they share the same platforms.

[@razvanlex]

@@benjaminsmith2287 But they are. "Revealed in June 2023, the EX30 is the smallest Volvo vehicle currently on sale, positioned below the XC40 and C40 crossovers. It is produced in China as a sister vehicle of the Zeekr X and the Smart #1, which are similar in size and are also developed from Geely's SEA platform"

[@benjaminsmith2287]

@@razvanlex Built on the same platform doesn't equal sister vehicle to me. A Polestar is a true sister vehicle in that they share so much with Volvo, designers, materials, crash and road test facilities. Volvo doesn't share like that with Zeekr or Smart. There is the exception where Polestar has built the Polestar 4 off of the Zeekr001 framework but the rest of Polestars share with Volvo to a large extent. That's why I don't call them sisters and call them cars that share the platform. Smart isn't even in the Geely Holding group. I think of Smart as a Mercedes brand and their involvement shows clearly in the interior where the Geely part is underneath.

[@razvanlex]

@@benjaminsmith2287 It is your choice, you can consider whatever you like, but on wikipedia they are called sisters. Because they share the same platform. Like some other cars, for example Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107/108.

[@MrQwerty3000]

Isn't it possible to turn the fog lights on with voice commend, avoiding the need for any buttons?

[@TheDavecroft]

I don't care how people turn the fog lights on, I just wish they had the brains to turn them off again. Fogs are a waste of time IMHO, rear ones just dazzle, and front ones make very little difference.

[@xyredmax]

This is the second review I have watched this morning and neither have mentioned the excellent Google assistant - you can speak the commands that are difficult on the touchscreen!

[@aquint5554]

I recently saw this car and was not very impressed. A fancier Bolt EUV. While it looks nicer, the car was just way too small / pricey. I also hate that the starting MSRP is low but things like the additional 360 camera, parking assist are available on the much higher trims. Car manufacturers really need to stop on the "trims" and just offer one car for one price. These reviews are very misleading as manufacturers will always give reviewers the more top of the line trim

[@sssssneaker]

I agree, every review of the EX30 always mentions repeatedly how "affordable" it is when the truth is it's a VW Golf sized hatchback EV that costs as much or more than a Model Y when you compare similar spec...318 liters in the boot is less than a Clio!!

[@stephanierobison1842]

Agreed that the central screen is going to take some getting used to, but I'm fairly certain that since it's Google, it should have pretty decent voice commands to adjust the environment. Also, I think you can turn off the driver's camera. Because that's just creepy...

[@christopherblack2616]

What's the difference between Polestar and Volvo now? I thought Polestar was just an electric Volvo, albeit a fancy one, and this is electric and very nice. So why is it not called a Polestar?

[@Duskconqueror]

Volvo, Lync & Co, Polestar, Zeekr, etc. All, to a certain extent, make use of the same tech and platforms. They try to appeal to a broad spectrum of audiences by using the same ingredients in different packages with different tastes.

[@sssssneaker]

Nobody really knows 😂

[@Jimthehumanoid]

I own a Volvo V60. The lane keeping and collision avoidance systems are just plain dangerous, trying to steer you off the road and false alarms respectively. They are only there to mitigate for the fact that all the controls are on a touchscreen. The EX30 is no different, I'm sure.

[@KeyhanHadjari]

Companies update their software all the time so you can't compare your a bit older car with a brand new Volvo that keeps new updates over the air.

[@user-qw2cr3rw9u]

Thiết kế đẹp như Ranrover và cách âm quá tốt. Đi xe Volvo thì uy tín về an toàn cho hành khách và người lái. Mình rất thích xe này

[@MarcoPrimeau]

If the info system is anything similar to my XC40, most of the settings can be control by voice. No need to look at the screen all the time ;)

[@RhettBushman]

Finally, a review of the EX30 by someone who isn't freakishly tall. Now I know how a normal size person fits in the back seat

[@ranjoles]

Well 5”8 or 172 is really really small.

[@RhettBushman]

@@ranjoles What? Average American height for men is 5'9" and for women it's 5'4". 5'8" is very much within normal

[@ranjoles]

Yeah well , we Europeans are not that small. What is average for Americans is not the standard for the rest of the world

[@XXXY9668]

When will Volvo start delivering the EX30 and EX90?