Yahoo Autos 
5 thoughts about the 2025 Volvo EX30
Well this is a little awkward. When we drove the 2025 Volvo EX30 at the Midwest Automotive Meida Association (MAMA) Spring Rally, it was destined to arrive this year at Volvo’s new entry-level electric car. Then the U.S. government slapped huge tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles. The EX30 is currently built in Chengdu, so Volvo decided to push the on-sale date back to next year when production can begin in Ghent, Belgium, likely making the American-market EX30 a 2026 model. So, the question here isn’t should you buy, but rather, will it be worth the wait?
We think so. It’s a bit small, and cost-cutting has resulted in some ergonomic qualms, but the EX30 looks and drives like a premium small crossover that should carry a less-than-premium price tag.
Make sure to look closely at the details
Volvo really hit it out of the park with the EX30’s design. It does minimalism almost entirely right. At first glance, it’s simple at every turn; a basic box that doesn’t even have a grille. Look closer, though, and you start noticing the interesting and even exciting details. The debossed Volvo insignia up front; the panel gap that curves in the exact same way as the wheel wells; all the linework in the head and taillights. And that’s just the start. The inside follows the same philosophy. Although it looks a bit basic at first glance, what with the open dash and sole center screen, you eventually notice the actual metal door handles that are extensions of the door trim and the various fascinating materials. That includes the speckled recycled plastic in my test vehicle or the woven fabric style that Road Test Editor Zac Palmer experienced in Sweden. There are little strakes here and there to add some visual interest, and the translucent trim in the vents are another great touch. It all makes the EX30 feel more fun, but also more premium, than its anticipated low price would suggest.
Volvo seems to have cheaped out on controls
What is frustrating, though, is that Volvo seems to have followed the Tesla, and to a lesser extent VW, model of lowering costs. That center screen handles everything. And yes, that includes the instrumentation. Now, it is something that you can get used to, but then there a lot of less-than-ideal things in life you can get used to. Acclimation does not equal good. Having your speed and other critical info directly in front of you is still superior, be it a head-up display or just a small, supplemental display like even VW provides. Of course, going without those keeps things cheaper, both because the parts are literally not present and because you don’t have to swap things around for left- and right-drive markets. Beyond that, the screen also houses all controls for climate and stereo controls – even the glovebox can only be opened via the touchscreen. That’s annoying, even if the touchscreen itself is otherwise well-executed.
The steering wheel buttons are also touch-sensitive, and whether it’s a VW or Mercedes, we’ve never been won over by these controls. At least there’s a stalk for the wipers and turn signals.
