Volvo EX30 review - cheapest, quickest & BEST!
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
- This is the all-new Volvo EX30!
It’s an all-new small electric SUV from the Swedish manufacturers, and we think it may be one of its best releases in year! But what makes it so impressive?
Well for starters, let’s take a look at the design. Being an all-electric car, there’s no grille up front, but the design still reminds us of Volvos from the past. Along the side you’ll find a sloping roofline along with bespoke alloy wheel designs that are able to help improve efficiency. And then around the rear there are some well-designed taillights that really help give the car a bit of personality.
Step inside and the EX30 is really well designed. Nearly all functionality is housed in the central infotainment screen, which although can be annoying at times, has been done to help keep all wiring in one place to help improve costs. There are soft touch materials throughout most of the car, and the seats are super comfortable.
When it comes to performance, there are a couple of editions of the EX30 available. The entry-level car has a 49kWh battery pack and comes with a claimed range of 210 miles. There’s then a larger battery edition with two electric motors, with the range topper being the Performance model, which has a range of around 290 miles.
And it’s not just the range of the Performance model that we’re interested in. The two motors combine to produce 28hp and 543Nm of torque! This makes it one of the most powerful Volvos ever produced!
So this mini Volvo packs a serious punch, and the price starts at just £34,000, rising to only £44,000 for the top-of-the-range edition! Does this therefore make it one of the best Volvos ever? You’ll need to stick with Mat and see for yourself!
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:28 Range & Batteries
01:18 Interior Layout
03:54 Pilot Assist
05:41 Design
06:55 Lights
07:09 0-60mph
07:37 Price
08:45 Country Road Driving
13:07 Interior Design
15:16 Back Seats
17:05 Town Driving
20:28 Real-world Range
22:09 Single Motor RWD Edition
23:56 Boot
24:36 Single Motor Range
28:10 Verdict
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What would you rate the EX30 out of 10?
We need a Hyundai Getz on carwow day 325
7/10, definetely a good reliable car.
Please carwow please a generation drag race PLEASE PLEASE CARWOW
8.5/10
Nein out of 10
The lack of instrument cluster, wing mirror adjusters etc is not for a minimalist cabin. That's what they want you to think, it's clever marketing. It's cost saving. That's why there isn't a heads up display also. People are impressed by the screen in a Tesla - a screen is much cheaper than good quality buttons/dials. These cars look cheap.
Well you have to remember how much the batteries cost to make and produce. To make them cheaper for the masses they gave to make cuts on things like that and having everything in the screen helps that. It's unavoidable if regular ppl want to own one.
I mean that is marketing's job anyway to spin positives into a negative. But yeah - it is clearly cost cutting.
Edit - I mean negatives into a positive 😂
Couldn't buy it with this terrible interior design.
Electric is no good. Anyone who buys one will regret it.
Dare you charge one in your internal garage? Or even close to your house?
Could you sleep at night?
I agree it's cost cutting and minimalist isn't for me.
If the Volvo is so good that you can take your eyes off the road to play with the screen does that mean I can use my mobile phone!!!!
Don't use your phone while driving.
Unless your phone is a giant and obnoxious tablet in the middle of the cockpit and makes unavoidable for you to look at it and open a thousand different tabs and menus to simply adjust the A/C fan speed
And folk wonder why the number of accidents, and insurance costs are increasing!
@@t._._._.My 2020 S60 also has AC controls on the center screen, along with everything else except the speedo and tac, and it's not difficult to adjust, especially once you've done the initial setup and driven it a couple times to get familiar with their locations. I had a 6 hour drive a couple weeks ago and I adjusted the AC temp 2 times, once before I started the trip and again that evening when it started getting cooler. The average person isn't adjusting it every 15-30 minutes but if you must, you just hit a button on the steering wheel and say "set temp to 70". In reality, the center screen controls are a nothing burger but I don't like the fact there's no speedo directly in front of the driver.
Wont using Voice Control will solve 90% of the problem ?
@@Mew-ip3iy yes
Yes, after they created the problem to give a half-assed solution. I mean, even the glovebox is opened through a button on the screen. It's ridiculous.@@Mew-ip3iy
I cannot emphasise how much I hate the fact that you have to do EVERYTHING via the screen. Why are car manufacturers trying so hard to be clever. Just keep some things simple.
Cost cutting
I wholeheartedly agree. It feels silly that looking at your phone while driving is illegal, but they're fine with manufacturers showing critical driving info on a screen that's off to the side from your field of view.
Can't even do what he is doing in Australia, you'd be fined for touching the screen whilst driving, so that is pointless and stupid having everything on the screen for rules like our country.
Matt, on the continent we have a funny rule when reaching a junction of two equal roads (no priority defined by "Give way" signs). Always the one coming from the right has advantage. That is part of the right hand drive regulations. Hence the unhappy driver in your town driving session ;). Enjoy your videos, thanks for your contribution towards the automotive journalism.
thats exactly right. afaik in the US the rule is: stop at the junction, then whoever stopped first, is the first that may proceed. weird!
I like that they've designed a system to tell you to look at the road.....when they've put everything you need to know on a screen that's out of your eyeline. Genius.
Their genius is frightening
I hope, with the Off-Road/Cross-Country version, they will add the HUD on the top trim, and as an option for the lower trims. (We need a foldable sun/moon Roof cover matched with the interior material, but with reflective side to the sky for lower heat in the harsh summers we are getting now.)
Maybe the designers don't drive?
It's consumer's and journalist's fault, everybody thinks ugly screens are futuristic and don't value bespoke switchgear and dials anymore, which is very sad. In 20 years time all these lumps will be buggy and useless, while a 20 year old TVR today is still beautiful inside
In the UK it's illegal to use or touch your mobile phone while driving, Yet playing with a 12" iPad is OK , Funny world.
For an age when safety is number 1 priority, some of the new cars seem to do the exact opposite with the constant disappearance of physical buttons.
physical buttons are not made for safety. Just the please your old mind.
True, but most accidents don't happen because you try to change your mirrors... People using phones while driving are well...
Not having a speedo in front of you is so offputting
@@wolfgangpreier9160 change isn't always good. Wheels are round for a reason
@@wizzyno1566 why? Maybe 42 sided is better? If you stop developing you are already dead.
I was feeling a bit chilly in my Vauxhall Insignia this morning so I raised the temperature on my side by turning the temperature knob up one degree. My technophobic wife has no trouble turning the switch on her side to get the temperature she likes.
Goodness knows how many children at a bus queue I would have ploughed through if I had attempted the same operation in the Volvo EX30.
This looks like work-in-progress. Maybe in a couple of years they’ll have the bright idea of putting a few knobs and switches in for everyday functions, and placing the speedo where it belongs.
Allowing Chinese cars to be imported is like hiring a convicted pedofile as your nanny
I assume you said the same about the mini then? Terrible design car with the speedo not where it belongs. Funny how people only complain about things when it confirms their pre existing bias…
@@1982craigyboy Yes, the Mini’s speedo has always been in the wrong place. There were excuses for this in 1959 (casual attitudes to road safety: production cost-cutting so that it needn’t change for RHD and LHD), but to have it there in the BMW version is just a whimsical fashion statement.
@@Sam-ep7schaving owned both versions of the mini, and when worked for main dealers driven Citroens and Renaults that had the speedo mounted centrally I don’t understand what the fuss is about. You can look without moving your head, it’s a glance of the eyes to see it… a bit like when you glance your eyes down below the line of forward vision to look through your steering wheel at the dial 🤷🏻♂️ at no point has it ever taken any further effort to see. The real reason everyone is up in arms is because it’s an excuse to support their anti progress mindset. No 2 ways about it
And I say that the best place for a speedo was established 100 years ago and it's futile to keep thinking of different places to put it. But let's agree to differ and part on friendly terms.@@1982craigyboy
I have to say this: there comes a point where the technology gets in the way of the actual driving. Even the car recognised that Mat is getting super distracted. Just ridiculous. "Minimalism", yeah, more like cutting corners.
yeah. Notting wrong with having buttons for the normal things. Even a Citroën from the 70's are more futuristic and safer than this "everything controlled from a centre screen", with all the important controls on the steering wheel.
what to expect from a chinese car?
@@hansb7020Chinese?
@@bismayparida2115 Volvo is owned by Geely, a chinese company and modern Volvos are manufactured largely in China
@@bismayparida2115 produced and developed in China. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_EX30
Not having a proper cockpit with instrument dials right in front of you gotta be on of the stupidest ideas ever. Otherwise, great looking car as usual from Volvo, i just wished for higher range though.
I cannot believe Volvo did it. I have driven Tesla and having information in front of you is essential IMO.
Tell that to Tesla
I wish it wasn't made like a fancier Tesla. Just a lot of cost-cutting going on.
Its one of the best ideas ever! Now lets leave those stalks in the bin of french oppulence.
Cost savings marketed as minimalism
I had a Citroën C4 & a C4 Picasso and the central instrument clusters were great. However, 1 - There was very little else going on on the screen to confuse you, and the screen was positioned closer to the windscreen so was nearer to your line of sight, and 2 - The indicator & other warning lights were positioned on the fixed hub steering wheel, so were in your eyeline.
I had a C3 Picasso and loved the middl display. But it was very close to my field of view so you never had to move your head to see it. Nothing like this, where it is closer to the center and much lower while in the C3 it was still positioned so you could watch the road at the same time.
Best EX30 review to date!! Love the shout-out to Bert/Gert/... who is retiring after the release of the EX30. What a lovely gesture! Really hit me in the feels! Good feeling... Thanks guys!
It was a bit different, with the close ups, even more free spirited flow and the interaction with the cameraman. It all felt much more inclusive, and somehow that extended to me as the viewer! Really special and absolutely hit it out of the park, this one! Loved every second of it, and not even because of the subject matter, which is a lovely semi affordable yet gorgeous and convincing EV... It was the warmth. Really! More like these please!! Thank you all so much!
*Rating? I think a solid 8! The car that is. Review? is a cum laude performance of all people involved **_all the way up to the suspension engineer and by association the entire staff of the manufacturer!_*
Faster than most sports cars 😳🦾
More Chinese junk from Geely owned Volvo.
This Volvo perfectly captures what's wrong with modern cars, having to do everything through a screen would drive me insane.
It’s not hard to say hey google heat my seat…
@@Kurre. unless you're married with children all in it, good luck with that
For this price, I was expecting a dashboard, a glove box button...etc etc, a normal car you know.
Volvo/Polestar are Chinese brands now.
if not imagine having to tap twice? The horror. @@colonelccccc
I can't combine the security aspect of Volvo and not having an instrument cluster or at least a head's up display. I think it is somewhat dangerous.
I assume that’s a statement from someone who has driven a car without an instrument cluster/heads up display - because if not, then I guess your opinion is kind of pointless.
This is a chinese EV. Volvo is gone. It’s Geely in Volvo suit.
@@TommmmmmmmmmmmI have driven a Car without one. And a Car with both.
My conclusion is that a Heads Up Display keeps you more focused on what is happening on the road
why do you need instrument cluster? its EV
@@hassyg4083Do you normally drive a car without looking forward?
I love how the car looks inside out❤ such improvement of technology wow.
Thank you Matt. Great review, informative and entertaining.
Pulling out trying to sort out the menus etc is the most relatable thing in any car from the past 10 years.
Buttons and dials desperately need a come back
You are just afraid of the future. I recommend Ford Cortina for your daily use.
@@wolfgangpreier9160change isn't always good.
And insulting people who just have a different opinion than you makes you an asshole.
Or just do the right thing and adjust it before you pull out.
It should be regulated by governments at this point. It's getting ridiculous and dangerous, same as using a phone to type a text while driving.
@@wolfgangpreier9160 You don't sound nearly as smart as you think you do.
..unless you're being sarcastic of course.
It seems more and more necessary for legislation to make mechanical switches mandatory for certain functions in a car e.g. the blinker and windscreen wipers in a stalk (where you can easily and quickly use them), adjusting mirrors etc. and of course to have the speedometer to be in front of the driver (like in a HUD or regular instrument cluster). This current penny pinching trend to put everything behind a screen is just objectively more unsafe.
naah... everything leads to one thing -> all of us (the pleb) aren't supposed to have cars in next 10-15 years time.. 🤔🤷♂️ 15minute towns etc..
it's better for you if you decide ti abandon vehicles "on your own thought" rather than them forcing you... wouldn't you think? 🤔😲
Volvo/Polestar are Chinese brands now.
How often do you adjust your mirrors? Once they're in the right place, why would you mess?
Oh, and there's no difference between looking down at the speedometer, or down and to the side. Both take exactly the same amount of time with your eyes off the road. This from driving original minis, a BMW Mini (both with central speedos), and 21k kms in a Tesla. It's distracting for like 2 minutes until your brain learns where to send your eyes.
@@RacingAnt hey, punk, cone back here in a few years -> when you eventually aquire the driving/driver's licence ... and get a few thousand miles under your belt.. 👍💪
After reading the first three or four reviews about the screen and lack of buttons, not even nothing watching the rest of the video. Or even considering the car. Thanks for the time saving!
The chance to touch an icon on a giant screen, scroll to another icon and touch that, and then adjust the mirrors by controls on the steering wheel is a clincher for me. It's a game changer. Technology eh, wow! I've a Volvo S60 and I can't believe I've 'struggled' all these years with a positively archaic electronic miniature joystick on the driver's door to adjust my mirrors.
I absolutely hate this trend of putting every possible control you can manage onto a screen --it makes it so much more dangerous to adjust any settings while driving because you have to actually look and you can't just play it by feel like you can wit buttons.
It's cheaper to manufacture. Thats why they do it.
It is probably best set the wing mirrors before you start driving LOL. I do agree the speedometer should be in direct line of sight, especially in an electric car where the engine noise doesn’t represent the speed you are going. I imagine the heads up display would be a thousand pound upgrade, but I find it invaluable in my Qashqai.
Doesn't have head-up display even as an option. The speedometer is better placed than a normal car, it's in the peripheral view because the tablet is higher on the dashboard. Normal speedometer it's too low, it's more dangerous than this, because you look down on it. Try for yourself. But a head-up display should be there like in a Smart #1 or #3 which are better cars in my opinion.
Button more usefull and saving so much time
This car seem to be a love/hate car for many people. I like it from what I have seen yet, and I also love that they put the yellow color in there. With a heads up display and a few more buttons, maybe even programmable to keep the number down, this car would be perfect. It still seems like a really good car, and judging from the price/performance comparison it is the most bang for the buck you can get today.
A Tesla Model 3 is still a better value. More practicality, equipment, range, power for the same price and pretty much no additional downsides (maybe except it being a sedan, but that is debateable).
People will get this if they really want a Volvo (or they get a hefty discount as an existing customer) otherwise it doesn't make a lot of sense considering the competition and the cost cutting they've done here (no information in front of the driver, everything integrated into the touchscreen, small glovebox etc.). If they undercut the competition or traded in power trunk for a HUD and more buttons at least in the mid trim level, maybe I would consider seriously recommending it, but as I see it now, it's comparable or not worse than a Tesla Model 3/Y.
Interesting, because at least where I live, the teslas are much much more expensive than the EX30, are slower, and have only slightly more range. And I guess it is a preference thing but I think this car looks 10 times better than any tesla, both interior and exterior.@@LAndrewsChannel
@@assarstromblad3280 I don't know where you live, but adding just the extended range to the base trim of the EX30 makes it match the price of the cheapest Model 3 base according to the online configurators of both.
Compared to this base extended range version of the EX30, a Model 3 base might be 0.8s slower to 100 km/h, which is pretty much irrelevant for daily driving, but it still has 10% more range which is less irrelevant. Besides this, to match all the equipment in the Tesla, you need to step up to the highest trim level (which pretty much maches Model 3 LR's price). Volvo does not even include heated seats in the MID trim level...
The look of the car is irrelevant when it comes to a "bang for the buck" discussion.
@@LAndrewsChannel from what I can find, the model 3 base model with RWD (2023 model) starts at 40600 dollars, the EX30 single motor extended range starts at 36000 dollars. The range difference isnt big at all, at about 7 miles difference in favour of the tesla according to WLTP, and 3 miles difference in favour of the EX30 according to EPA. The ex30 is 15% quicker to a 100 even if it has slightly less horsepower. The rest of the features are quite similar. In my opinion, looks are a big deal even for a bang for the buck comparison, because lets be real here, no one buys a shitty looking car if they can pay only a little more for a better looking one, but of course that is subjective. The only thing the EX30 doesnt have that the tesla has is the self driving tech, and that is coming eventually. At least to me and to many comparisons and reviews I have seen it seems the EX30 is just overall better than the model 3, unless you really want the special features of the tesla.
@@assarstromblad3280 The base EX30 does not have:
- panoramic roof
- heated seats
- heated steering wheel
- 360 cameras
- power trunk
- electric seats
- digital key
- 2 zone climate system
- wireless phone charger
The Tesla has all of that last time I checked. I don't think you can say "the features are quite similar". This obviously assumes the base model offered in the US is the same as the one available in the EU that I can already configure.
Funny you mention EPA range because I am comparing against the refreshed Model 3 that isn't available in the US (and most people agree it improves all aspects of the car) that has a bit over 30km more range, not just "7 miles".
The aspect is subjective, but bang for the buck is not. You have a set of features for x amount of money. If a competitor offers more/better features for a similar amount of money then that competitor is a better value. Only if everything else is at least similar between options you consider looks. Everyone that does not choose cars like this is wasting money.
Volvo are making some bangin' cars these days. My only complaint would be that infotainment system - not a fan of not having a drivers display and everything as buttons within menus
Man, feels refined, well built, range is acceptable, comfort is undeniable, but all those small things like no speedometer, all adjustments on screen, all information on screen just bring it down to a giant NO. This car has all the wrong trends of EVs all packed together.
Those are not small things by any means..
Range can only be considered acceptable if you are restricted to city driving - in my country, this car would be useless with its minisucle range
In those markets which will also receive the EX30's sister car, the Zeekr X, I would pick the X for sure. Same size as the EX30, but nicer interior, plus it has a driver's screen, plus it has an HUD, plus the center screen can move over and become a passenger screen, plus it has more physical buttons, plus it has an available freezer in the center console, plus the rear seat bench can fold upward (like the rear bench seat in pickup trucks) to create additional storage.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Model 3 and Y also have everything on one screen?
@@fug33really?! I live in Texas and this car would be fine. It has a longer range than both of my daughter’s ICE cars. But, Texas has a pretty significant charging infrastructure. Maybe you live somewhere where you would need to charge at home?
I always like Volvos. And this could be a good one, if they had a speedometer in front of the driver, and you haven't got to do all the adjustments from the big screen.
It's to minimalistic. I want a couple of buttons that I can operate without taking my eyes of the road.
We can clearly see how much Matt has to look at the screen instead of the road.
Volvo missed a trick by not having the central display in landscape orientation for streaming apps, games, and the windscreen is landscape, so it even looks better.
You realise Volvo is Chinese now?
@@Beer_Dad1975 Chinese money, much of development is still in Sweden. But sadly a lot of the manufacturing is done in China.
@@brickisland6353 The EV's are mostly Chinese design and manufacture too - Geely are basically "experts" in EV's - not that they actually make any good EV's - one of the cities in my country just bout a pile of their shitty EV busses and most of them have already broken down.
Excellent review, I think you hit it spot on. One thing you didn't touch on is does it have a "economy" driving mode like mode EVs do? If so that would extend the range about 20% in my experience.
Customers like the center screen but want a HUD why has no one done this yet?
Minimalistic means cost saving in the car industry 😂
true and made in china sharing platform with many chinese cars means cost savings too
Exactly
Volvo are open about this, their aim was to bring people very competitive range, quality, comfort and tech for a low price. Which meant sacrificing some things and making it simple (lowering production costs) They also offer an XC40-recharge or a C40 which are for those who expect more, and are willing to pay more for it. Volvo has always also aimed for minimalism, they are Scandinavian after all!!!
@@joemcnamara4774 But it ain't either "very competitive" nor "low price". It matches Telsa Model 3 prices and compromises but with crappier range and equipment. The only good thing about it is the brand and (probably) materials quality. Other competitors offer more compeling options if you don't want a Tesla like Hyundai, Renault, Stellantis or even VW.
Great review! Thank you for spending time on really evaluating the suspension on different road surfaces! Few reviewers do that.
Your review is spot on, this is an annoying great car. The question you should ask yourself is can you get over the annoying stuff, personally I think I would wait for the facelift because some of the problems will be worked out.
I also reviewed the EX30, and I have mixed feelings about it, but it is a new chapter for Volvo
In those sort of junctions, when there's no priority signs, usually the person on your right has the right to go. That's why they used the horn
Not usually, always.
Lucky the police car didn't pull them up on it
19:20 mat: *ignores yield sign*. also mat: “idk whose fault that was🤷🏻♂️” 💀💀
Exactly, he ignored a "Ceda el paso", as we called it around here. 😅
Test drove single plus today
Pros - styling, ambience, exterior plastic panels texture & finish, boot & storage, screen nav intuitive.
Cons - road noise, sound system quality, some cheap plastic in cabin, rear leg room
My wife drives a mild hybrid XC40, I thought the technology was distracting in that😬but it is one of the most comfortable, best built and quietest cars I’ve ever driven. But I’ll stick with my very conventional but fun Seat Ibiza for now😂.
I really like how you showed the lights in the dark! Noone does that. One thing i miss in lretty much wvery car review video from anyone is the headlight test in the dark. Like how far, wide, high the beams go, how well (or bar) the matrix loghts work when trying to blank parts of the beam for drives in front of the car etc...would be great if you could incorporate it in the videos!
Teslabjørn frequently does these lights tests
@@iawdw good to know! Will check him out, thanks
The menu with submenus, lack of useful buttons and nothing behind the wheel or an HUD is a really heavy blow against it. Prefer moving mirrors down when parallel parking etc.
Could also use a floor where the battery isn't below the rear seat leg area - not forcing the bend in the passangers' legs.
All that safety kit feels like a solution to a problem entirely of their own doing. All the pertinent info is off to the side, out of line of sight and key functions burried in a touch screen menu when it would have been a button or knob you could adjust entirely by feel. So they make it all the more difficult to use then slap eye monitoring on to prevent you getting distracted by it all. Right.
Geees Matt, absolutely brilliant! I haven’t heard you say that many times, it must be a good thing.
Just casually going 0-60 in 3.89 seconds... in the wet... in a Volvo... SUV.
Calm down. It's an overgrown Golf. Calling everything an SUV needs to stop.
It is very cool though. Just not an SUV.
Yep...almost as fast as a BMW M5 which does 3.4 seconds. In a Volvo...SUV...crazy!
The wonders electricity makes hey
SUV is marketing name for glorified sedan. Look at any SUV from any brand and you'll se it's got the same engine as its equivalent sedan, and it'll also be very likely FWD. BUT, I might forgive that if the car was AWD, which it is in this case.
@@kyronrc It gets smoked by a Mini JCW around corners, a Lotus Elise or an Alpine A110. Straight line performance is for NOOBS.
Volvo badging slapped onto a Geely😵💫
Yes, Good! Next year XPeng will launch the new VW ID and SAIC will deliver the better Audi.
I think you should start testing if the trunk closing system can react to obstacles like your arm under the trunk door while it is closing to see if it stops. I’ve tested it on many cars on the Copenhagen eCarExpo and you will be surprised how many cars just keeps closing the trunk door instead of stopping when it detects and obstacle.
This is something I've not thought about before. Thanks for the testing you've done!
I like this program and the car - thanks 👍
Carwow with the best videos. From the intro to the swingers 😂 I wonder if EU regulations will force manufacturers to move info to the dash/headup display instead of a central big screen with a million menus
renault and citroen have had speed information mounted on the dash rather than infront of the driver for decades, as much as I think it should be in front of the driver, I can assure you it will not be changed. Volvo will have also designed this car almost entirely around the EU/UK market.
Putting all the controls into touch screens in the centre console on a huge screen is just as distracting as being on your mobile phone - far worse when there is no instrument panel in the line of sight.
Some time in the future these crazy setups will (hopefully) they will be made illegal.
Toyota have had a central binnacle on the Yaris and some Corollas for years as have other vendors. But suddenly it's a big deal. As someone with one I can tell you it's not and the only speedo in your line of sight is a HUD.
@@fishndive1961 totally wrong, for toyota it was physical and in the view of the conductor as really high and with buttons not a tablet to play.,
Why not now?
@@cachememory Because legislation is made in response to something not preemptive. Like when the EU forced Apple to adopt type C ports for their iPhones like the rest of the industry, about 5 years after the port became common.
That Alan Partridge reference just gained you a new subscriber.
A-ha!!!!!!
A thorough review as always: thumbs up! Now, I can accept that electric motors are way more efficient than classic combustion engines, along with the (controversial) reasons why we probably all need to transition to such cars. Fair enough, although I'm not entirely reassured with regard to those lithium batteries and potential nasty fires, though.
However, I see absolutely no valid reason why we cannot have classic dashboards to read off essential information and to keep the eyes on the road ahead (a key issue!), or classic knobs and buttons to perform intuitive tasks, such as setting mirrors or opening and closing windows. Although I very much enjoyed seeing all the flashing and beeping lights on the "Starship Enterprise" TV show back in the day (yes, I've been around for a bit), I do not see the purpose of having to sit like Captain Kirk in front of a confusing screen to accomplish the basic settings mentioned above. Three steps instead of one simple one with the hand. That is plain stupid, to put it bluntly.
Thus, regardless of how nice the seats are and how well the thing drives, I would most likely still try to pick up an older petrol operated car (a Volvo is fine) without all those useless geek-type gizmos, which may in fact be a potential cause for distraction and subsequent accidents. Time will tell. Moreover, I do not like the fact that all these new generation E.V's closely monitor your driving at any given moment, with data transmitted to the manufacturer (err...China?) and doubtlessly your respective insurance company too: think big brother! My request to Volvo and others: keep it simple, please take note.
The only thing putting me off this car is the Tesla style lack of gauge cluster but as far as EVs go if you’re not looking to spend 50k+ this is the one I’d go for without a doubt. Looks absolutely fantastic and goes just as well according to mat
Same here
Shouldn't the value be the thing that is putting people off the EX30? It seems rather bad to me. A Model 3 is almost the same price as the base EX30 extended range, is almost half a meter longer and a bit wider. Goes a lot further too, similar performance and is quite a bit more complete than the base model EX30. I mean this is an alright car for 2 people that don't bring along anyone in the back for the most part, but for that I think it's still too expensive. On top of that, child seats fit poorly in an EX30 due to the design, so you can forget about this one as a family car for the most part. The EX30 with it's 4.2m length is about the size of a Renault Captur. I don't think the price is right for a rather small car with 280km/170miles of actual range. The extended range is quite a bit more expensive and because of that competes even with much better EV's. And then there's still cars out there like a Kia Niro EV, that go as far as the extended range EX30, they might not be as fast, but they do have the better and more usable interior.
@@dyskrasia I’m a car lover so things like looks and performance are important to me. I was sharing my opinion and for the things that I care about this trumps any EV near the price range. I don’t need a huge car and if you’re a customer for one of these you’re not a customer for a giant EV because theyre so expensive
Cars great but I won't buy Chinese where i have a choice.
@@dyskrasia It'd be more fair to compare the Model Y to this, not the Model 3
The thing about screens that control everything is that in the UK where the screen is to your left and most people are right handed is that working the screen whilst driving is at best difficult and at worst dangerous. I had an instant the other day when I frightened myself whilst concentrating on the screen drifted onto the other side of the road. Am still feeling punch drunk about it a week later, so. have decided not to use the screen unless stoped in traffic or parked.
Am I alone
If you can't use your left hand to operate a screen you must be really clumsy and uncoordinated. I've driven so much with the steering wheel on the left hand side that it's basically unconscious mussle memory at this point. First time I got on a UK car it was very uncomfortable to switch gears with my left hand, but it took me no more than 2 hours to get used to it and 2 days to basically master it. I've always took issue with people who can barelly use their off hand.
I hate everything controlled from the "centre" screen. It is outright dangerous. When even the cars safety system gets "annoyed" you are not paying enough atten to you driving, the manufacturer have messed up.
Buttons for the normal things like ac/heat, glovebox, adjusting mirrors, and speedo in the Dashbord or HUD.
@@JoriDiculous That's completely different topic and it doesn't seem like there's much that can be said or done about it. It's just what seems to be the case with most EVs nowadays.
@@aeobs you are quite right, I am clumsy and uncoordinated and you are a superstar, but without any manners or class. In a democracy one is entitled to agree or disagree, but trying to insult people because they have a different view on an insignificant issue, just shows who and what you are
You might take note from other postings that there are other people that carry my view
@@aeobs Wait for it. EV's are climbing rapidly on the accident statistics
Hi Matt, greetings from Oxford. Now this is car excites me. I went EV in 2019 with a BMW i3, which I still have and still love. This is what the Tesla Model 3 should be… A slightly raised hatchback, with good ride quality, a minimalist but quality interior and a modern good looking exterior. This could tempt me out of my i3.
I’ve driven that coast road between Casteldefels and Sitges many times. Great road.
I had a Q4 35 as a courtesy car while my A6 was in for service. It comfortably got 3.8m/kw on motorways at 70+mph, and 4.3 around town.
I love when Mat comes to Spain cause you know he's gonna roast literally everything he sees wherever he goes 🤣
Loved the review. Must have taken a lot of effort. Hope you got to have some siestas too. Well done to Egbert, and enjoy your retirement! We never really do hear about the designers and engineers do we? Nice touch.
This new C30, and the XC40 variants are really great cars. Volvo will sell tons of these.
that glove box release button on the touch screen would drive me nuts tho. I really love the interior
Volvo, are you kidding me?
They put everything in that one screen that isn't even close to the driver and then you get warnings from the attention monitoring system??
Mat, I really appreciate that you demonstrate how impractical it can be to eliminate all physical controls if you then can't access them quickly and easily on the screen.
Volvo wants to cut costs?
As long as there are alternatives, things like these are a deal-breaker for me.
It's $10k cheaper than any other vehicle they sell (at least in the USA) and its electric, they obviously had to cut cost somewhere. Kia's evs cost more so considering that I think they did a good job
Have been looking forward to the carwow Volvo EX30 drive review!
Top review as usual 👍
What if the screen fails? Does it mean it's undriveable?
Thanks for the review... this was a bit of a stress test to watch, all that fiddling with a screen while driving along twisty roads... it looked like an accident waiting to happen, but maybe those driving aids really do keep you safe, so long as they never ever fail. For me the risk is too high and I can’t help thinking that a driver’s eyes are still best kept on the road.
The dude in the video is an idiot, most drivers wouldn't struggle with these things.
That is why they have voice control to use.
There is a HUD, it’s just set to permanently display “Harmon Kardon” upside down and backwards. 😂
THANK YOU! I saw this 'word rubbish' all thru the video, and paused it to see if I could translate it
I think Volvo is well on it's way to smashing the "who can have the biggest, most obnoxious D-pillar at cost of rear passenger windows"-contest that most car manufacturers seem to be engaged in these days.
If it gets any worse, you'll hardly be able to tell whether you're in a Volvo or some type of military armoured personnel carrier with view ports in lieu of windows. You can be like "the view ports go all the way down, all 10 cm of them!".
Have you seen the new Lexus products?
You mean Geely Volvo
It's kinda useful with a armored car in Sweden now. What a time to be alive!😅
I love that they have designed a system to tell u to look on the road
I did recently a test drive on a Smart #1 and loved it, now I have narrowed my choice between that and this Volvo. I think selecting most things on the screen or by voice is easy, specially with the Smart because the screen is very big and some things are always in the same place on the screen. As for this magnificent Volvo, I loved it, but it seems a bit harder to find what you want in the screen. It's true that we can adapt and I don't even care about most of selections, except for the speed. Having to look to the side to see the speed is very inconvenient nowadays, because the max legal speed limits are becoming too low and there are speed controls in more in more locations everyday, it needs constant monitoring the speedometer. I 've already lost 2 points in my driver license because of that, the first in 46 years of driving. So I probably stick to the Smart Premium that shows the speed on the windshield.
This is the same with us - we did a test drive on the Smart #1 and loved it too! I have also narrowed down our choice between the Smart and this Volvo but we believe the speedometer is a deal breaker. Have you bought the Smart in the end? Would love your quick opinion! Thanks in advance!
“There’s going to be some serious high end dogging there with the Porsche crowd” I about spit out my coffee lmfao
Volvo has Google built-in, I think you could've saved yourself a bit of screen hassle just by asking the assistant. Yeah, in-car voice control is a bit of a joke in general, but Google's is among the best if not the best.
I use Android Auto's voice controls all the time. Rock solid for 'play xyz music', 'navigate to contact name/McDonald's' etc.
Breaks down a bit when trying to dictate a message, but it gives me hope that canned queries like 'increase temperature' or 'turn on heated seat' should be reliable.
First car review ever that pointed out a swinger's meeting. Excellent work. 😜🤣
Great video, well done. I wonder if some people are missing the point that the voice activated tech is the future, so the need for buttons and and levers will not be necessary and therefore full attention to the road will be assured.
13:36 I am working in a company which produces recycled plastic products and I can tell you they don’t have to feel cheap. Often they actually can feel better (and sometimes even softer) than most regular plastics. But if you cheap out and still have to maintain the standards for cars (fire and crash resistance, …) it can feel cheap pretty fast.
Edit: It is kind of logical that they had to cheap out to get to that price and they tried to make it look nice and expensive, but I think the cost cutting gone too far at some points (missing screen/hud for the driver, missing buttons). Most people are ok with cheap plastics today, but they could have left out unnecessary thing like the electronically controlled glove box (maybe even saves money?!) or the glass roof. I would rather have a speedo in front or me instead of that roof or some fancy led lights…
Can't wait till they finally replace the break pedal with a touchscreen menu button. And it must be in a submenu of course.
😂😂
Funny. Like it.
Brake.
The upside down reflection of the Harman Kardon badge in the windscreen is the only head up display you get and looked very annoying throughout the review.
Now I understand why some many oncoming vehicles are crossing the center line and scaring the shit out of me. The older I get, the more I appreciate and love my old '80s Chevy truck for it's simplicity and intuitive manual controls I can operate without taking my eyes away.
A hud can be super cheap, like on the new e-C3. Missed oppertunity. Waiting for the review on the e-C3 😎
I was very close to ordering one after going to the Open Day, but the concerns for me were 1/ Ride quality 2/ Range 3/ Insurance cost. Point 1 seems to have been addressed and at least I know what sort of range to expect but the remaining unknown is insurance. As yet it’s not listed (as far as I can see anyway).
Insurance cost will be offset by the government rebates and tax exemptions. Where I live EVs and hybrids are exempt of tax.
And the bizarre screen only interaction which looks downright dangerous to use!
@@ChakibTsoulithe government tax breaks are all planned to be withdrawn no there are lots of people buying EVs. Plus the cost of electricity, even at home, has gone up considerably in the last few years and is only heading up.
The “colors” they offer are really amazing /s
@@ChakibTsouli in the uk insurance in general has gone up considerably, for EVs the increase is more than for ICEs. In fact there are reports that some insurance companies are starting to refuse to insure them. It seems EVs are easier to write off or cost considerably more to repair. I’m not against EVs as I would really like to buy one but this combined with huge depreciation it’s not making it an easy switch to make. And leasing is expensive too.
No one complained about the original Mini speedo being out of your eyeline ! That was also low in the car and was absolutely fine.
It is in a number of cars. Several Toyota Prius, the Nissan Quest from a few generations ago as well.
Love it! Great review! The screen dont bother me
I love my 2016 2.0TDI Passat. The mirror controls and window controls do exactly what you tell them and they’re easily accessible. My diesel tank takes £90 to fill and gives me 800 miles. For £20 a year I can tax it. The speedometer on the virtual dash is crystal clear in front of me and it doesn’t shout at me when I want to change song. With my manual gearbox I can quickly downshift to 4th gear on the motorway and exploit most little gaps in traffic if I want.
The only time it moans at me is if I’ve been driving for 2 hours it suggests i ‘Take a break’.
If this is Volvo is the future, I’m not interested 😊
Struggle using a mobile phone as well, all those horrible touch screen menus confusing are they.
I am all for minimalism and hoping to buy an EV in future myself. But an EV that I buy will have to be practical. Buttons (a/c, windows) and dash/screens (behind the wheel) in some places are a must have.
Good luck finding all that.
Or loudspeakers 🙄
Hey maybe you can still find an i3
Volvo are making some bangin' cars these days. My only complaint would be that infotainment system - really not a fan of not having a drivers display and everything as buttons within menus.
I love what they do with the car sound system lately
It seems that the designers of the controls went for style over functionality. Two basics - keep the speedo in front of the driver and make sure functions like mirror control and heating are on real buttons, dials or switches easily accessible.
As cheap as a Tesla model 3 and much smaller without much eq. and no space...
its not style its cost cutting, every physical button they delete saves a shocking amount of money, cos tesla did it they kind of have to now to be competitive
Hey Matt does the car have voice control to control some of the things you were searching for in the menu? If it has a decent voice control I can live without buttons, but if not that seems rather distracting while driving.
Ordered single motor extended range 🎉🎉🎉#greatvideoMatt
I reserved one in April, and I’m still excited about getting a fully loaded one. I’ve had a few Volvos and my only complaint has been they can be a bit boring - but that 0-60 time should eliminate that!!!
Congrats you will fit right in with the ‘I’m with stupid brigade’ 👍
@@Mizzkan damn, you really must be lonely if you’re making these kinda comments for attention on a video about a new car. I hope you find the friends and emotional connections you so desperately need!
As someone who prefers a sedan, a normal dashboard, and physical controls, I'd rather have a BYD Seal. It's not perfect, but it's cheaper and has a longer warranty (here in Aus).
It doesnt have one pedal drive. Which EV should have.
It should be illegal to not have buttons for at least safety items like mirrors, having them buried in a menu is a serious safety issue. Things like speedometer should always be easily visible without having to look away from the road. They should be required to have a HUD. The way cars are going there will be more and more accidents. I can already hear someone saying "Yeah, but the vehicle avoids crashes". Tell that to the numerous drivers who have been in serious accidents in all these vehicles that are supposed to avoid crashes.
My cousin owned a Tesla and got into a major accident that totaled it. She was alright, but she looked over to see the speedometer and her nor the Tesla noticed the truck getting off the highway ramp and ran right into the side of her. This is extremely common in the United States where after most off ramps there will be a speed limit sign. Your instinct is to see the sign and look at your speedometer, but then you're looking away from the side of the off ramp to look at your speedometer on vehicles like this and Tesla.
Did you try the integrated voice assistant to manage some of the features in lieu of looking for it on the touch screen?
The single motor version is RWD. It says FWD on the comparison graphic at 7:45.
Loved this review, I like it but it does seem like more of a gimmick than a car though and has a lot of safety issues in my mind which is contradictory to Volvo. I think some of the competition are better
This is not Volvo anymore. It’s Geely.
@@Mav86asian Which explains some of the disregard for safety. Also I'd be weary about buying anything Chinese due to how they're currently misbehaving in every regard (internationally, and against their own and ingenious people, minority groups), and what the consequences might be.
If Volvo can price these competitively, they will sell very well. YT commenters forget that for most people, cars are like a washing machine (an appliance).
What's that sticking out of the car at 11:50? Is that your external cameras? Just wondering?
Ain't vehicle regulators worried about the way almost every control in a car is going into the touchscreen? Safety wise that is dangerous.
No, only drowsiness detection, lane keeping assistant or monitoring your driving style is relevant.
The rang is kinda small for a brand new model, considering the Model 3 goes over 600 km. The price is nice though.
Gorgeous Mat 😍
I love the Cloud Blue colour.
Hey Mat, about the stats you included on comparison table, the EX30 is either RWD or 4WD if I am not mistaken!
he also showed the price for the base model and the stats for the perfomance model, which isnt quite fair
EX30 is quite a bit smaller than BYD atto 3, Niro EV and especially iX1, not sure direct price comparison works with in these instances at all.
Yeah, it’s the same size as an ID3, which incidentally offers much more interior space and a speedometer for the same price.
Different horsepower etc the soundbar costs extra 🤦♂️
That beautiful e46 coupe at 4:41 😍
The cup holders and the window switches remind me of my 850r. The switches were in the middle and the cup holder was in the center arm rest