Small car, BIG personality.

I recently borrowed the EX30 demonstrator from the team at our Crawley Volvo retailer to put its EV range to the test.

The quoted range for this particular model (long range, Plus) is 295.8 miles and I had a journey of 278 miles to cover, from Horsham to Tewksbury. A test of range accuracy and my own resolve!

This little electric SUV might be compact, but it's got a lot of heart and a surprising amount of character, the first thing that struck me was the interior. It's a cosy, well-designed space that feels premium despite the car's relatively small size. The reductive Scandinavian design is stylish and functional and the large touchscreen is intuitive and easy to use. The seats however are very comfortable and have quite simply the best heated seat function I’ve experienced on a sub £40,000 car.

Now, let's talk about the drive. The EX30 handles like a car much larger than it is, with soft steering and a smooth, relaxing ride. The acceleration is brisk, making overtaking a breeze on motorways and the odd country road. The regenerative braking system is well-tuned, allowing for one-pedal driving most of the time. Unlike some of its competitors there isn’t a variation on the amount of regeneration available, its either on or off.

One of the biggest concerns faced by electric cars is consumer range anxiety, but the EX30's extended range battery proved to be more than adequate for my journey. I was able to make it from Horsham to Tewkesbury with plenty of charge to spare. In fact I had 45% of remaining range, considering I hadn’t been driving as efficiently as I would have liked to this did impress me. Never the less I did plug in at my hotel that topped me back up to 100% overnight costing a grand total of £21.58.

Overall, the Volvo EX30 is a fantastic little car that punches well above its weight. It's perfect for city driving and longer road trips alike. If you're in the market for a compact electric SUV, I highly recommend giving the EX30 a test drive. You won't be disappointed.