Think city-dwelling cars and what comes to mind are B-segment hatchbacks — easy to maneuver and easy to park. Now, the 2025 Volvo EX30 you see here isn’t quite a B-segment hatchback, but in the context of electric vehicles (EVs), we reckon that it ticks the right boxes, especially for urban living. After all, as implied by the name, the EX30 is the smaller sibling to the much larger Volvo EX90.
Overview – What is the 2025 Volvo EX30?
Launched in Malaysia back in September 2024, the Volvo EX30 was initially fully imported (CBU) from China, but has since switched to local assembly (CKD). Like most CKD Volvo models sold in Malaysia, the Volvo EX30 is assembled at Volvo Car Malaysia’s plant in Shah Alam.
Developed on Geely’s Sustainable Experience (SEA) platform, the Volvo EX30 measures 4,233 mm in length, 1,838 mm in width, and 1,550 mm in height. Its wheelbase is 2,650 mm long.
The variant we sampled here is the Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance, powered by a 69-kWh (64-kWh usable) nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) CATL-sourced battery pack, allowing for a range of up to 450 km under the WLTP test cycle.
The Twin Motor Performance moniker in the EX30’s name indicates that this EV SUV gets not one, but two electric motors. The rear electric motor does 203 kW (276 PS) and 343 Nm, and when combine with the front electric motor, combined output is 428 PS and 543 Nm. This enables a 0-100 km/h time of just 3.6 seconds, making it Volvo’s quickest accelerating car to-date (and completely silent too!).
To recharge the 2025 Volvo EX30, the EV SUV supports up to 11 kW AC charging, and up to 150 kW when using DC fast charging. At its 150-kW peak, it would take slightly less than 30 minutes to juice up the EX30 from 10% to 80% state-of-charge (SoC).
Exterior – Smallest Volvo to-date, still unmistakably one
Volvo’s smallest SUV to-date is still quintessentially Volvo – there’s the signature Thor hammer LED daytime running lights up front, while the rear, thanks to its vertically stacked tail lights, is an amalgamation of several Volvo SUVs. Other Volvo design cues include the clamshell-style front bonnet and bulging wheel arches, creating an eye-grabbing small SUV.
Even more eye-catching is the “loading” animation of the tail lights when you approach the car. A subtle touch that definitely shows the attention-to-detail Volvo engineers have.
For the Malaysian market, the Volvo EX30 is fitted with sleek-looking, dual-tone 19-inch alloy wheels.
Interior – Minimalist but doesn’t compromise on usability
Although the 2025 Volvo EX30 is the first Volvo to be developed on Geely’s SEA platform, it feels every bit Swedish, down to the material choices and absolute minimalist cabin.
We mean it when we say minimalist – window controls are tucked away in the centre console, while the door handles look like they’re from an IKEA catalogue. The minimalist design helps reduce the required length of wiring loom, and keeping the weight of the vehicle down as well.
As a result, the cabin ambiance of the 2025 Volvo EX30 is nothing short of welcoming and calming. Part of that is achieved with Volvo’s choice of texture colour and materials, as well as the subtle ambience lighting, visible on the dashboard and door cards.
Speaking of door cards, they’re as simple as they come along. The removal of the front speakers free up space on the door cards, allowing Volvo engineer to fit some large and usable door pockets.
Despite the removal of the front speakers, fret not, as the 2025 Volvo EX30 is fitted with a Harman Kardon sound system, including a massive full-length sound bar up front. Audio quality is adequate for general music listening, but if you are an audiophile, look away as the lack of the front door card speakers would limit the soundstage. For everyone else, the Harman Kardon-branded system would suffice.
We also have to touch on the size of the 2025 Volvo EX30, or rather the lack of it. Depending on your preference, you may absolutely love the overall size of the EX30, or not. Personally, I’m a fan of the dinky-sized EX30 – it aids handling and is easy to park.
Watch: 2025 Volvo EX30 CKD Package Review in Malaysia
Granted, those with more family members (read: parents and children) should try sitting in the EX30 and see if everyone can get comfortable. For my family of two, the EX30’s size is perfect. Plus, if more boot space is required, one can always fold down the rear seats to increase the usable boot space to 904 litres – enough for that occasional IKEA trip.
Driving Experience – Easygoing and refined
The best method to describe the driving experience of the 2025 Volvo EX30 is that it’s relaxed. Getting into a comfortable driving position isn’t difficult, and driving the EX30 is a walk in the park (well, not literally).
Thanks to the EX30’s light steering, maneuvering this EV SUV in tight spots is a breeze, and couple that with the high resolution 360-degree camera, parking has never been easier. Of course, further assisting is Volvo’s Park Pilot Assist, which automates the parking process. It couldn’t get any simpler than this.
As for the Volvo EX30’s ride comfort, we’re pleased to report the 2025 Volvo EX30 strikes the fine balance between comfort and handling. Though the EX30 is fitted with low-profile 45-series tyres all round, Volvo engineers have managed to fine-tune the suspension to an impressive level, creating a reasonably comfortable SUV that can tackle poor road conditions with relative ease.
Another highlight of the 2025 Volvo EX30 is its Android Automotive operating system (OS) with built-in Google Maps. Since Android Automotive is built-in into the EX30 itself, there is a much deeper integration compared to the likes of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Case in point is when navigation to a way point using the built-in Google Maps, which has the ability to show battery remaining percentage upon arrival. It also factors in traffic conditions for a more realistic battery estimation.
That said, it’s not necessarily all sunshine and rainbows with the 2025 Volvo EX30. For an EV SUV that is priced at almost RM 230k, you’d imagine that it would include almost everything. Well, almost. The 2025 Volvo EX30 surprisingly lacks laminated side windows (also called double glazed windows).
We would also have appreciated it if Volvo could’ve added adjustable energy regeneration to the EX30. While the EX30 does offer a one-pedal driving model, the default mode doesn’t quite regenerate nearly as much as we would like.
For a vehicle that is powered purely by electric, the newfound silence can potentially make other less-apparent noises more noticeable and having laminated side windows would’ve been ideal. Thankfully NVH levels of the 2025 Volvo EX30 are impressive, with road and wind noises kept to a minimum.
Conclusion — Still a very convincing option from Gothenburg
The Volvo EX30 is perhaps one of the very few cars that we were reluctant to return – its size is just right, has more than enough grunt for daily driving, looks amazing (we wished that the Moss Yellow that was offered on the CBU model was also offered on the CKD model), pliant and comfortable ride, and has the tech to back it. All-in-all, a very well-balanced package from Gothenburg.
Sure, there are minor gripes — like the absence of laminated windows and a slightly underwhelming sound system — but at this price point, few alternatives offer the same compelling blend of style, performance, and sensibility.
I do not care what the marketing material says. This is NOT an SUV, it is a Hatchback and it is a good thing!