Volvo EX30: Australian pricing and features for Swedish brand's smallest (and quickest) model

Starting from $59,990, Volvo’s smallest vehicle available today is positioned five-grand above the petrol-powered entry-level XC40 but $17,000 below the cheapest electric XC40.

EX30 arrives as a crucial model to Volvo's plan to go all electric by 2026 in Australia, and by 2030 globally.

Volvo Australia first announced pricing in mid 2023, and while the entry EX30's price is unchanged there are increases for the other two variants that form a three-model line-up.

The mid-range Extended Ultra moves from $64,990 to $66,290; the flagship Performance Ultra shifts the other side of $70K, also up $$1300 to $71,290.

All three launch models feature a 69kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery, with the range-topping Performance Ultra adopting an extra electric motor for all-wheel drive where other variants are rear-wheel drive.

The EX30 is produced at Volvo’s Zhangjiakou plant in China and shares its platform with some other models in the portfolio of parent company Geely.

Volvo’s entry EX30 starts above the company’s current most affordable model, the XC40 B4 petrol, but the 4.2-metre SUV is priced $14,000 below the larger electric XC40.

The world's most popular EV, the midsize Tesla Model Y SUV, is priced from $69,300 at the time of writing. (Its pricing fluctuates wildly.)

The BYD Atto 3, another popular electric SUV, is priced from $48,000 for its entry-level 320km 'standard range' model.

The all-wheel-drive EX30’s dual motors produce combined outputs 315kW and 543Nm to make it the quickest Volvo ever. The maximum range drops slightly to 460km.

Volvo Australia has teased some initial feature specifications, which points to a strong equipment level from the base model up.

The Extended Plus will include a Harman Kardon audio with soundbar speaker system, as well as an auto tailgate, wireless phone charging, and a digital key that follows a Tesla trick — allowing owners to access the car and drive away using just their smartphone.

A long list of safety features is standard across the range and includes a new alert system designed to prevent doors being opened into oncoming bikes, scooters or runners.

Ultra models gain a new-generation version of Volvo’s Pilot Park