But Will it be Top 5 in 2025?
You could call it the surprise of 2024, that Volvo EX30. Although the first models were already driving at the end of 2023, the big hit came a year later. Out of nowhere, 10,809 units were put on the road, making it suddenly the third most popular car in our country. What makes this compact electric Volvo so popular?
A lot has already been said and written about the EX30 in the past year. Some points were quite positive, but especially poor software and high energy consumption were criticized, both in our (long-term) tests and in user reviews.
In the comments under articles on this site, you read every now and then that the sales of the model this year would be ‘dramatic’, but that wording requires some nuance. With 2,326 EX30s sold so far, the model is no longer in second place, but has to settle for seventh place in the sales ranking. Still not bad, although it is not possible to compete against the Kia EV3. That is twice as popular in 2025 and scores even better than the Volvo in the same period last year.
The Kia EV3 is the sales hit of 2025.
The Volvo EX30 is – on Paper – a Good Deal
On paper, the Volvo EX30 is simply a good deal, with a price starting from €36,795. And it is a Volvo, a brand that appeals to many Dutch people. The sum of these two properties can only be successful, which this electric crossover proves once again.
In its first AutoWeek double test, the EX30 has to compete against a secretly pretty good competitor, the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric. “The Volvo has a favorable starting price and in theory also delivers good performance,” was the reason, “but is it really that special next to an existing competitor?” We jump straight to the end, you can review everything between the head and tail yourself for free and at your leisure. What turns out? The EX30 wins, but not by a landslide.
“The Volvo EX30 does not turn out to be as unique an offer in practice as it seemed on paper,” is the clear conclusion. And why? “The Renault Megane E-Tech manages to keep up with it in many areas and is even better here and there, for example when it comes to ease of use. The fact that the Volvo still wins is mainly thanks to its high build quality and driving characteristics.” Cons: “The space in the back, the ergonomics and the consumption, whereby the latter will hopefully improve in the future.”
Also Enough Pluses
The EX30 is struggling to live up to its hype, but there are still plenty of pluses. For example, in a double test against the Fiat 600e, it is noticeable that the Volvo really drives more communicatively and the chassis offers more grip. Not that the Fiat is bad, on the contrary. Because it weighs 1,495 kg, compared to 1,750 kg of the Volvo, the Italian even feels a bit more agile. Also: “The materials and build quality are not enormously much better than at Fiat, but you do have more the idea of sitting in something special. At least: in the front.” And in the back? “It’s not such a party there. On the Volvo rear seat you have exactly that strange, cramped sitting position that shines through absence in the Fiat.” Yet another minus point.
In practice, the lack of space turns out not to be too bad. Users who left a review on this site hardly need this in practice. “Ninety percent of the driving I do alone, but even with four people I haven’t heard anyone complain about lack of space,” notes the owner of an EX30 Single Motor Extended Range Plus. “Even a short ride with five people has been successful, but then it is indeed fitting and measuring.”
When it comes to ease of use, the EX30 is not a typical Volvo. The owner of another EX30 is critical of the space. “It’s nice that Volvo supplies a long charging cable, but it’s a shame that it no longer fits in the frunk as a result.” Also: “The documents are in a nice folder, only it is just too wide for the glove compartment.”
Software Under Control
Initially, users complained more than once about unstable software, for example with a failing central display as a result. These problems now seem to be under control after a number of software updates. “In version 1.5 I finally no longer suffer from stuttering radio or telephone,” writes a rider last March. “In the past it was often waiting to see if you could make hands-free calls or adjust the sound of the radio while driving. This has now fortunately been resolved. The car is ‘finished’ so to speak.” Whether this increased stability is enough to see the EX30 back in the top 5 this year? Time will tell.