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How to start it
Step on the brake, press the engine start button on the console or steering column; wait for the cluster to confirm ready before shifting out of P.
EX30 Performance
CuratedCurated
422 hp, AWD, and Dual-Motor Electric define the Volvo EX30 Performance. It is listed at 4,140 lb and about $47K. The catalog lists 0–60 mph in 3.4 seconds and a 112 mph top speed.
Research links
Trims
Choose a trim · 2 available
Tap a trim to open its full page — specs, features, build configurator and a maintenance schedule tailored to that trim.
Features
What this car offers
Safety & driver assistance
- Pilot Assist
- Collision avoidance
- Door opening alert
- 8 airbags
Performance hardware
- Performance brake package
- Launch control
- Adaptive / magnetorheological dampers
- Torque-vectoring AWD
- Multiple drive modes (Comfort / Sport / Track)
Cabin & technology
- Digital instrument cluster
- Sport upholstery
- Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
- Over-the-air software updates
- Premium audio system
- Heated and cooled seats
Safety rating
5/ 5
Value score
9.2/ 10
Performance, build, and ownership-cost composite.
Overview
About the Volvo EX30 Performance
The EX30 is the most interesting small EV of its generation because it inverts the usual formula: it's the fastest-accelerating Volvo ever built, and it's the company's smallest and cheapest car. The Twin Motor Performance version makes 422 hp and hits 60 mph in around 3.4 seconds, in a crossover shorter than a VW Golf.
Volvo's engineering focus, though, was carbon footprint rather than pace. The EX30's lifecycle CO2 figure is roughly 25 per cent lower than the larger C40 and XC40 equivalents — achieved through recycled aluminium and steel, flax-composite interior panels, denim-waste and PET textiles, and a deliberately small battery relative to the segment's arms race. Volvo publishes the numbers.
Inside is the most divisive part. Almost every function lives in a single portrait touchscreen — there is no instrument cluster in front of the driver at all, no separate climate switchgear, and even the glovebox opens from the screen. Volvo compensates with clever packaging: a soundbar across the dash instead of door speakers, so the door pockets can be enormous.
Its market position is aggressive: it undercuts most premium EVs, out-accelerates cars costing three times as much, and carries a safety brand that still means something. The trade-offs are interior space and the interface, and Volvo has been shipping software updates to address the latter.
How to use
Owner's walkthrough
Practical guide for everything a new owner asks on day one — starting the car, finding the gear selector, drive modes, infotainment, driver aids, and easy-to-miss features.
02
Where the gear selector is (and how to use it)
Console-mounted shifter with R-N-D-S notches; paddles behind the wheel for manual gear control.
03
Drive modes
Drive modes are accessed via the drive-mode selector on the console. Available modes typically include Normal, Sport, Eco. Each mode reshuffles throttle mapping, steering weight, adaptive dampers (if equipped), exhaust valves, and stability-control thresholds. On performance trims, an 'Individual' or 'Custom' slot lets you save your favorite combination so you can recall it with one click instead of nesting through menus.
04
Cluster & head-up display
The driver display is a Digital cluster. Use the steering-wheel left thumb-pad to cycle layouts (Classic, Sport, Navigation, Minimal). When in Sport / Track mode the cluster automatically swaps to a wide tach with gear indicator and tire-temperature readout. The head-up display brightness, height, and content are configured from Settings → Displays → HUD.
05
Infotainment & voice control
Infotainment runs on Central touchscreen with smartphone mirroring. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard; pair from Settings → Connections the first time, then it auto-connects whenever your phone is in range. Steering-wheel push-to-talk wakes the in-car assistant for nav, climate, calls, and messaging without touching the screen. The main display also hosts vehicle-specific apps: tire pressures, performance data recorder (where fitted), drive-mode customizer, and the camera views.
06
Driver assistance
Standard driver aids include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Toggle each system individually from the driver-assist menu (steering-wheel left-pad → Assistance). A surround-view camera and parking assist may be optional — turn them on once in settings and they default to active in tight spaces from then on.
07
Charging
DC fast-charging happens through the CCS1 (or NACS, for newer 2025+ US-market models) port. Plug in, the car negotiates power automatically — typical 10–80% takes 18–28 minutes on a 350 kW charger. Level-2 home charging via J1772 covers a full charge overnight (8–11 hours). The car app schedules charging during cheap off-peak hours and pre-conditions the cabin while still plugged in so you don't drain range warming up.
08
Keys & phone-as-key
Beyond the physical key, this car supports Smart key. Set up phone-as-key from the Manufacturer app app: it provisions a secure credential to your phone's wallet so a tap on the door handle unlocks the car and placing the phone on the wireless charging pad authorizes ignition. You can also share temporary keys to family members (with optional speed and area limits on performance trims) directly from the app.
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First-week tips & easy-to-miss features
A few things every new owner tells us they wish they'd known on day one:
- Enable one-pedal driving in the dynamics menu — once you adapt (about 30 minutes), you'll rarely touch the brake in town and regen does the slowing.
- Pre-condition the battery before fast-charging by entering the charger in nav — the car warms the pack for full-speed charging.
- Download the brand app (Manufacturer app) and pair it with your VIN before your first long trip — remote climate, charging/fuel-level checks, and remote lock-status save you walking back to the garage in winter.