Driving fast, through a very wet quarry with loose flint under your tyres, is a sure-fire way to see how an SUV really handles under pressure. In those conditions, the quick – and perhaps surprising – answer is that the Volvo EX30 Cross Country is way better than we expected and more than just a regular EX30 with matt cladding liberally applied.
Design and interior
The Cross Country (CC) version has all-wheel drive as standard in its one-grade-only variant, which is kitted out like the EX30 Ultra grade, plus some wheel arch extensions, 19mm higher ground clearance – 196mm vs 177mm unladen – integrated front and rear lower bumper skid plates and slightly smaller 19in wheels.
Yes, there is a large panel of dark matt cladding at the front as well, but it’s nicely enhanced with scored contour lines to emphasise its outward-bound allegiances, and the lower section of the rear hatch has more cladding still. Along with the higher ride height and widened wheelarches – and perhaps with a rugged roof rack and accessories optioned – the CC is quickly identifiable as something different to a regular EX30.
Upfront the EX30 CC’s cabin is a modern and minimal design – much more so than its recently refreshed XC60 bigger brother – and utilises just one central portrait-shaped 12.3in screen for all information. There is no driver’s display in front of the steering wheel, so details like miles per hour are shown digitally in the top right of the centre screen. This has upset some reviewers, but we found it easy to adjust. Along with electric window switches in the centre rather than within each door armrest – which allows the front doors to be made thinner – such features contribute to a symmetrical design which reduces complexity and makes it easier (and less carbon-intensive) for Volvo to manufacture in left or right-hand drive. Which is a good thing.
The elegant interior front door handles are easy to find and use and the general colour and trim ambience is upmarket and thoughtful Scandi chic. No fakery in materials is present, and some of the seat fabrics – like Nordic wool coated with pine resin and mixed with recycled polyester – look and feel ‘good’ in every sense.
That the central glovebox can only be opened by a virtual button within the touchscreen is quite annoying and the rear-seat space is not huge. But boot space is decent, ranging from 318 litres to the window line with rear seats up, to 1,000 litres packed up to the roof with rear seats down. It’s flexible too, via two loading floor heights.
Performance and drive
The CC’s twin motor knocks out a very punchy 428hp, which makes the 4,233mm-long dinky all-electric SUV exceedingly rapid when coaxed. Dispatching 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds is supercar stuff and despite the car’s greater 1,573mm height (compared with the regular EX30’s 1555mm) the CC handles the twisty stuff with surprising aplomb and probably better than most customers will ever need (or try). There are various modes for steering (soft, medium and firm), dynamics (range, standard and performance), plus one-pedal driving (with low, medium and high regenerative braking settings). But changing any of these – like switching off and on the various safety boings – requires delving many layers deep within the centre screen so is best done at the start of the journey. These aspects could do with better digital shortcuts.
The EX30 CC Twin Motor comes in only one version at £47,060 OTR with 265 miles of electric range. That’s a considerable jump compared with the base model EX30 Single Motor in Core spec for £33,060 with 209 miles, while the Single Motor Extended Range version offers a greater 295 miles for £37,260. But overall, the Cross Country version does feel like a special – and visually well-differentiated – variant and is a welcome addition to the EX30 range.
Positive: Distinctive variant, compact quality.
Negative: Price compared with basic model, range.
Standard equipment: Forward collision warning and brake and steer mitigation, blind spot information and steer assist, cross traffic alert, intelligent speed assist, hill descent control and hill start assist, adaptive cruise control, auto LED headlights with active high beam, front and rear park assist, rear park assist camera, 360-degree camera, climate control, 12.3in colour central touchscreen with Google Automotive Services, DAB radio, dashboard soundbar with seven speakers, Bluetooth, Apple and Android mirror screening, power tailgate, fixed panoramic roof, puddle lights, 19in alloys, two USB-C charging ports, wireless inductive smartphone charging.
Engines: Electric: 428hp
Equipment grades: Cross Country
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
| Model | Volvo EX30 Cross Country |
| P11D | £46,995 |
| Residual value | TBC |
| Depreciation | TBC |
| Fuel | £3,542 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | TBC |
| Cost per mile | TBC |
| Range | 265 miles |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 0g/km (3%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £24/£47 |
| Luggage capacity | 318 litres |
| Battery size/power | 69kWh/428hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
