Imagine if the major carmakers were to be placed in a classroom. Volvo would likely be the nerdy kid sitting in the centre front row, eagerly answering every question and taking extensive notes.

If this were some typical 1990s TV sitcom, Volvo would be the one with the pocket protectors, taped glasses, and high-waisted slacks. Its boxy models were too conservative. While constantly being at the forefront of safety technology gave it plaudits, Volvo couldn’t swing it with the cool kids of the block – Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Jaguar.

But it is 2024, not 1994, and the way nerds are treated today is different. No longer are they stereotypically awkward, they have now embraced that awkwardness to the point that it is okay to be weird. Loving comic books, Dungeons & Dragons, and anime have become mainstream instead of being shunned by society.

In a way, Volvo has also evolved to become the cool nerd in the classroom of carmakers. It still emphasizes safety but its blocky designs have grown more acceptable. Even the older 200 Series which was once ridiculed as the typical administrator’s car has been embraced as unique.

The Volvo EX30 isn’t only a cool block on wheels; it represents a new age for the Swedish carmaker. It received near universal acclaim from international media and even became one of the best-selling battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in Europe in June.

However, is all the hype surrounding the smallest Volvo BEV model worth it? During our 2-day trip up Janda Baik and back, we discovered some surprises and setbacks in the Volvo EX30.

Sustainability warrior

The local EX30 media drive was conducted prior to its official launch. Hence, the exterior shots in this review are fully wrapped.

Volvo Car Malaysia announced 3 variants of the fully imported from China (CBU) BEV are available which are:

• EX30 Plus – RM 188,888
• EX30 Ultra – RM 208,888
• EX30 Ultra Twin Performance – RM 228,888

Before we made our way towards the twisty and scenic Pahang B-roads, we had to traverse our way through the congested Klang Valley highways, making a few stops on the way to see how Volvo’s baby fared with the urban habitat.

On the outside, the EX30 nails the cool, minimalist Scandinavian design though some might remark the look as Chinese. Though it is built in Zhangjiakou, the overall design still screams Gothenburg.

Volvo did not invent boxy, blocky cars but it embraced the design ever since the 140 Series was introduced in 1966, 8 years before its more popular successor, the 200 Series arrived in the scene.

The EX30 retains the familiar boxy look of traditional Volvos and in some ways look like a squished down version of the EX90. Personally, I don’t really know if I should call it a jacked-up hatchback or a proper SUV because its design blurs the segment.

I dig the clean looks like the closed-off grille that displays the iconic Volvo symbol, the simple, signature ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights, and the rear taillight design that stands out from its rivals. Suddenly, it seems like Volvo is doing something funky for its BEV while the Teutonic cool kids are playing safe.

Before you start turning the tables and remark an ironic saying, the Volvo EX30 isn’t entirely better than its rivals. While the exterior displays a near perfect example in design minimalism, the interior falls entirely flat in execution.

Here minimalism is just a glittery term for cost-cutting and I’m sorry, I cannot defend some of the decisions being made here.

Only one screen is available – two if you count the head-up display – and just like many modern cars, especially from China, this lone screen controls everything.

Want to adjust the side mirrors? It’s on the screen. Do you wish to adjust your headlight settings? Via the screen, you shall go. Want to see your speed or trip information? Bingo, it’s on the screen and it looks small and distracting.

Granted, the Google-powered infotainment system meant that you could easily use Google Maps for navigation or watch YouTube while you are waiting to charge the EX30. Yet, having the screen being the control centre for most of the vital features is just a hazard.

Speaking of which, there are two hazard buttons – one on the screen and the other being a physical button overhead.

The glovebox is placed in the middle and is rather small but even opening it requires going through the screen. This glovebox placement is also likely a cost-saving measure to avoid further production complexities when switching between left- and right-hand steering wheel positions.

Another likely victim of budget constraints is the power window switches which thankfully are not on the screen. Instead, they are placed in the middle rather than on the door which feels like an old-school novelty and did take some getting used to at first.

There are only two power window buttons in front. So, controlling the rear windows would require pressing a touch-sensitive button below to switch between the front and rear.

Some of these sound like a hassle but maybe some would appreciate the sustainability efforts Volvo has placed in the otherwise welcoming interior. The lower part of the dashboard and door cards have some unique décor made from recycled plastic waste while the upholstery is made of recycled fabric and leather.

“Will it fit?”

Open the rear tailgate and you are greeted with a graphic showing the dimensions of the boot volume with the three-worded challenge. To demonstrate this, we were told to head to Ikea where we were divided into teams to buy as much furniture and products within a certain budget.

While the EX30 could swallow long furniture or have the entire rear be converted into some mobile office/makeshift overnight camp, there really isn’t anything special about the boot space other than that guide of an easter egg. The boot is not any more spacious than its rivals.

That said, having fun is the whole point of the EX30 as it is intended to be the entry Volvo model. Globally, the Swedish carmaker expects most buyers to be first-time Volvo owners and attract the more youthful crowd who may accept the otherwise distracting lone screen.

There are plenty of clever cubbyholes and storage spaces abound in this small BEV. Since there are no door speakers – sound is played out through a home-audio-style Harmon Kardon soundbar on the dashboard – there is ample storage space on the doors that can fit a tablet or small bottles.

The centrally mounted drawer-style cupholders that slide out of the centre armrest are a rather neat touch. There is even a removable tray below the centre armrest which reveals a cute etching of a moose surrounded by nature on its sides.

While Volvo has clearly given plenty of attention to the little nooks and crannies, it seems to sacrifice the comforts of rear passengers. I’m 173 cm tall and I find the rear so cramped that it felt like I was sitting in the third row of a 3-row MPV/SUV.

If you’re carrying tall adults or those with longer legs, the EX30 will be a tight squeeze with very limited rear legroom. There are also no air vents in the rear and the panoramic glass roof has no sunshade.

Through the twists

The units brought for review were the Ultra Twin Performance variant which is offered with dual motors (AWD). Combined, the pair of electric motors generate 434 PS and 543 Nm, the exact figures as the ones on the Brabus variants of the Smart #1 and Smart #3.

Indeed, the Volvo EX30 is built on the same Sustainable Experience Architecture 2 (SEA2) platform as the pair of Smart SUVs and the Zeekr X. Yet, the EX30 is shorter in length and wheelbase than the Smart Hashtags and the Zeekr X which resulted in the rather poor rear occupant space.

But having a shorter length and wheelbase makes it a rather peppy car around the corners. Dynamically, the EX30 is more fun to drive than the Smart Brabus variants and throughout the twisty roads of Janda Baik, the baby Volvo feels very eager to take them on.

There is no dedicated sport mode but by default, the EX30 Twin Performance runs on rear-wheel drive (RWD). Enabling all-wheel drive (AWD) isn’t as straightforward as changing drive modes on the fly as you need to cycle through the driving settings.

Once enabled, Performance AWD mode adds more torque and power with the additional input of the front motors. Even though it has the same amount of power as the Smart Brabus variants, the EX30 feels a lot more composed and easier to control around the bends.

It hugs the corners like a rattlesnake holding on to its poisoned victim while power is rather easy to balance out through the twisty bits. It is agile with a good steering input as I carved my way across the highlands.

Even the regenerative braking is one of the most linear I felt in a BEV. Just like the drive setting, there is only one default setting for the regenerative braking though turning on single pedal mode brings out that familiar sudden lurches to a stop as always.

Conclusion

The Volvo EX30 is meant to be appealing to those who are new to the Swedish marque while not shying away from its traditional roots. Unlike its Teutonic rivals, Volvo achieved rather mixed results in the past when it tried to introduce itself to new buyers.

The Volvo 300 Series of the late ‘70s was essentially a Dutch DAF car that never quite fit with the rest of the lineup. The Volvo 480 a decade later stood out with a wedge design and pop-up lights but went nowhere in sales.

The Volvo C30 looked cool but was seen as an outcast by the target audience while the last-generation Volvo V40 was largely forgotten and overlooked.

Perhaps the Swedes have finally found the answer that would break its entry-model curse in the Volvo EX30. The baby Volvo wins in terms of looks and driving dynamics though the latter would only be satisfied by those in the minority of future buyers.

It isn’t exactly user-friendly with its infotainment nor is it as abundantly practical as most Volvos. Still, for the trendy folks that the EX30 is aimed at, it didn’t matter. After all, this group is already keenly aware of their lifestyles, behaviours, and how certain decisions will impact their future.

In other words, this is a woke Volvo for a woke generation.

Also read: Priced from RM 190k, Volvo EX30 BEV launched in Malaysia - Up to 434 PS/543 Nm, 480 km range