The Volvo EX30 is the smallest EV offered by the Swedish (Geely owned) carmaker. It was introduced in 2023, and comes in two distinct version, with the Cross Country being added recently. Last year, I had a chance to review the EX30 Single motor, the Corss Country wasn’t an option back then. This review focuses on the EX30 Twin motor, the same vehicle with AWD and a lot more horsepower.
The Volvo EX30 is small enough to feel easy in the city, but the Twin Motor Performance setup still brings 422 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. You also get a 69 kWh gross battery pack (64 kWh usable) with DC fast-charging.
Key Takeaways
The EX30 Twin Ultra’s headline is still the shove: 422 hp and 400 lb-ft, with 0–60 mph in 3.3 seconds and a quarter mile in 11.8 seconds. It feels genuinely quick for a small car.
The range for the EX30 Twin is 407 kilometers.
Peak charging speed is 153 kW, and Volvo’s own guidance targets roughly 10%–80% in about 30 minutes on a strong DC fast charger when conditions are right.
Storage is the big compromise: about 12.4 cu ft behind the rear seats and 27.8 cu ft with seats folded, plus a tiny frunk that’s best for a cable.
The cabin is clean and modern with a single 12.3-inch screen, Google-based software, wireless Apple CarPlay, and available Harman Kardon audio. The flip side is you’ll do a lot of basics through the touchscreen.
Table of Contents
2026 Volvo EX30 Canadian Prices and Trims
In Canada, the 2026 Volvo EX30 is offered with three trims. The base model is the EX30 Core, with a starting price of $53,548. The mid-trim is the EX30 Plus, which has a starting price of $57,198, and the top trim is the EX30 Ultra, with a starting price of $59,398.
The Plus and Ultra trims are available with dual-motors/AWD, at an additional cost of $3,000 to their starting prices. The above prices do not include Frieght & PDI, dealer fees, and other fees and taxes.
The new EX30 Cross Country is only offered with the Ultra trim and comes with AWD/twin motors, with a starting price of $63,398.
Volvo EX30 Performance and Driving Dynamics
The EX30 Twin feels like it was built for guys who want a quick electric car that’s easy to place in traffic. It’s short at 166.7 inches long, and it turns in a tight 35.1-foot turning circle, so it’s the kind of EV you can thread into a busy parking lot without sweating.
What surprised me most is how “awake” it feels at normal speeds. The throttle pedal responds fast, and the car’s compact footprint makes every gap feel usable. I was impressed with the lower powered Single Motor version, the Twin Motor takes things to the next level.
- Curb weight: Volvo lists the Twin Motor Performance at 4,151 lb, which helps explain why it feels punchy.
- One-pedal drive tip: You can set it up for more coasting or more regen, and that choice changes the whole vibe in stop-and-go traffic.
- Daily driving reality: If you charge to 100%, regen can feel weaker at first because the battery has less room to accept energy.
Acceleration and speed capabilities
The 2026 Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance does the 0 – 100 km/h sprint in 3.6 seconds. Testing by Car and Driver put the EX30 Twin Motor Performance at 0–60 mph in 3.3 seconds and a quarter mile in 11.8 seconds at 112 mph.
- 100 mph: 8.6 seconds
- Top speed (governed): 114 mph
- Grip: 0.85 g on a 300-foot skidpad
That kind of pace is exactly why this car can feel more fun than you’d expect from an “entry” luxury EV. If your commute has a short on-ramp, or you just like having instant passing power, the EX30 makes that easy.
Handling and ride quality
This is where the EX30’s compact dimensions pay off. The wheelbase is 104.3 inches, so the car rotates quickly, and the nose feels easy to place on tight city streets.
On the flip side, short wheelbase cars can feel a little busy on rough highways. The EX30 stays quiet and controlled, but you’ll notice more movement over broken pavement than you would in a longer, heavier EV.
If you’re shopping this against bigger EVs, this is the core trade: the EX30 feels agile and eager, but you give up some long-haul calm compared to longer-wheelbase crossovers.
Battery and Range
The EX30’s battery pack is sized for real life, not bragging rights. You get enough capacity for daily driving with high efficiency. Just like all the other EVs I’ve reviewed over the years, use the range estimate as a planning tool, then build in a buffer. High speeds, cold weather, and big elevation changes can and will swing your real-world results.
Battery capacity and estimated range
Volvo lists the EX30 at 69 kWh gross with 64 kWh usable. On paper, that translates to these estimate figures on 19-inch wheels:
- Single Motor: up to 420 km
- Twin Motor Performance: up to 407 km
Those numbers pair with a competitive efficiency story, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) it at 18.3 kWh/100 km city, 22.3 kWh/100 km highway, and 20.1 kWh/100 km combined for the Twin Motor Performance.
After driving the EX30 Twin Motor Performance for a week, the onboard computer showed average consumption of 19.9 kWh/100 kilometers, with about 70/30 city/highway driving and using the onboard heater, with temperatures ranging in the single digits Celsius.
Charging speed and efficiency
The EX30 is a 400-volt EV, and its fast charging reflects that. Volvo lists a 153 kW peak rate, and Volvo Support examples show about 10%–80% in 26.5 minutes on a DC fast charger, with the usual caveats about temperature and battery condition.
On Level 2 home charging, Volvo’s examples show an 11 kW pace that can refill 0%–100% in about 8 hours, which fits the overnight routine most owners end up using. Volvo doesn’t list how long it takes to charge on a standard 120-volt outlet, which is slow but can work just fine if you don’t have a Level 2 charger.
Since I don’t own an EV, I don’t have the need to install a Level 2 charger, but I do review quite a few EVs every year and make use of the standard 120-volt outlet. I exclusively charged the EX30 using that, and the battery was sucking in 1.3 kW, so it was more than enough juice for my daily drives without having to go to a fast charger.
Interior Design and Technology
The EX30 leans hard into minimalist interior design. If you like clean, modern spaces, it’s a win. If you want knobs and buttons everywhere, this cabin will test your patience for the first week.
On the bright side, Volvo’s packaging is clever. Even with the small exterior, you get usable front space, and the cabin feels open thanks to the glass and the simple layout.
- Rear legroom: 32.3 inches, which is fine for average adults on shorter trips, but it’s not a stretch-out lounge.
- Front headroom: 41.7 inches, so taller guys usually fit up front without feeling perched.
- Trunk (behind rear seats): 12.4 cu ft, so think “couple of duffel bags,” not “family Costco run.”
Minimalist cabin features and materials
The whole car runs through a 12.3-inch vertical touchscreen, and there’s no traditional gauge cluster. It looks cool and keeps the dash clean, but it also means you’ll want to set up your shortcuts early.
One small detail I like is how Volvo treats storage like a real-world problem. Volvo lists a tiny 0.25 cu ft frunk, which is basically a “charging cable pocket,” not a real suitcase space.
- Cabin themes: The EX30 is offered with themed interiors like Breeze, Mist, Pine, and Indigo, each with its own color and material vibe.
- Window switch quirk: The window controls live on the center armrest, not the doors, so expect a short adjustment period.
If you carry gear, your best move is to measure what you bring most. Volvo even publishes the cargo depth from the second seatback to the tailgate at 22.3 inches, which tells you fast whether a cooler or tool case will sit flat.
Infotainment system and software performance
The EX30 runs Android Automotive OS with Google Built-In, so you get native Google Maps and downloadable apps, not just phone mirroring. Then you layer on wireless Apple CarPlay if you’re an iPhone guy.
My advice is to treat setup like you would a new phone. Spend some time dialing it in, and the daily experience gets a lot better.
Software can still have the occasional glitch, and screen-based climate controls take more attention than a physical knob. If you’re picky about ergonomics, do a long test drive and try common stuff like changing fan speed, wipers, and audio without looking down too much.
Pros and Cons
The EX30 Twin Ultra is a blast if you want speed, style, and a city-friendly footprint. The main compromises are the trunk, back seat space, and road-trip range compared to something like the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
One money note: Volvo’s U.S. EX30 specs page lists the Single Motor Extended Range starting at $53,548 MSRP, while the Twin Motor trims sit higher, so it’s worth pricing the exact drivetrain and package you want before you get emotionally attached.
Key advantages of the Volvo EX30 Twin Ultra
If your goal is a small electric car that feels quick every single day, the EX30 delivers.
- Serious punch: 422 hp and 400 lb-ft make passing effortless, and it never feels strained.
- Easy to place: Short length, tight turning circle, and great outward usability in tight city streets.
- Useful towing for the size: Volvo rates it to tow 2,000 lb, which is enough for a small utility trailer, a light jet ski setup, or a compact motorcycle trailer.
- Good tech stack: Google-based infotainment plus wireless Apple CarPlay means you can run it your way.
- Home charging fits real life: An 11 kW Level 2 setup lines up well with overnight charging.
It’s also a strong “second car” option for a household that already has a bigger SUV. You keep the comfort and safety vibe, but you stop burning fuel on errands.
Notable drawbacks of the model
The EX30 is fun, but it asks you to accept a few very real tradeoffs.
- Road-trip range can disappoint at speed: Car and Driver’s 75-mph highway test returned 160 miles in the Twin Motor, which is the kind of number that changes how you plan stops.
- Charging is decent, not class-leading: The EX30’s peak is 153 kW, while some rivals built around 800V systems can hold higher charging rates longer.
- Touchscreen dependency: If you hate screen-based climate and volume controls, you’ll notice it every day.
- Storage is tight: The trunk is small behind the rear seats, and the frunk is basically “cable only.”
Closing Thoughts on the 2026 Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance
If you want a compact EV that feels fast, premium, and easy to live with in a city, the Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance Ultra makes a strong case.
You get 422 horsepower, a 69 kWh battery pack, and a cabin that nails minimalist interior design with wireless Apple CarPlay and Google-based tech.
The honest trade is practicality: the trunk is tight, the rear seat is snug for adults, and real-world highway range can fall well below the estimated number.
If you are looking for a fully electric Volvo, the company also offers the slightly bigger XC40/C40, and the new mid-size EX60, and large EX90 EVs.
2026 Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance Ultra Review Photo Gallery
People Also Ask
What is the volvo ex30 Twin Ultra like inside?
The EX30 Twin Ultra shows a clean, minimalist interior design, with a fuss-free dash and simple screens. It feels airy, like a tiny living room, and the seats hold you tight.
How fast is the charging speed, and does the car feel big?
Charging speed is strong on fast chargers, you can add many kilometers in about 20 minutes, which helps on long trips. The compact dimensions make the car easy to park, and they help energy use. It will not match the room of a Hyundai Ioniq 5, but it uses space smartly.
Does it have one-pedal drive and apple carplay?
Yes, it has one-pedal drive, and apple carplay links up cleanly, so your apps show on the screen.
How does the volvo ex30 compare to the hyundai ioniq 5 in feel and size?
The EX30 Twin Ultra feels nimble, it punches above its weight in city driving. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is roomier and feels more like a lounge, so pick based on how much space you want.
