Volvo EX30 Twin Performance Ultra 2025 Review

Priced from $71,290 plus on-road costs (ORCs), the 2025 Volvo EX30 Twin Performance Ultra is the flagship of a three-model compact electric SUV range.

As the ‘twin’ bit in its name suggests, it comes in a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive format – the only model of its type in the line-up. What that delivers is a pretty epic sprint to 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds, courtesy of a combined 315kW/543Nm.

The motors are fed by a 69kW/h lithium-ion battery pack that delivers a claimed WLTP range of 445km. Battery recharge rates are 11kW AC and 153kW DC, which are decent enough.

The other two models in the range are single-motor rear-wheel-drive variants making 200kW/343Nm. They complete the 0-100km/h dash in a still-impressive 5.3 seconds and – as they have the same battery pack as the flagship – they deliver a longer claimed WLTP range of 480km.

Pricing starts just under $60,000 for the entry-level Standard Range, but as long as you’re buying on a novated lease and therefore eligible for the Fringe Benefits Tax concession, any EX30 is going to end up being a more tempting deal than we’re outlining here.

Volvo also softens the up-front cost by charging nothing extra for the EX30’s five paint or four trim options. There are no servicing charges for five years, either.

Electric rivals for the EX30 are numerous and come from a wide range of brands, stretching alphabetically from the new Audi Q4 e-tron to the Zeekr X.

The Zeekr is one of a couple of in-house rivals along with the Smart #1. Like Volvo, these two brands are part of the immense Chinese Geely Auto Group family and they also share technology including the underpinning SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) platform.

The Twin is not only the performance king when it comes to EX30s, its Ultra trim means it gets the best equipment spec, along with the single-motor Extended Range Ultra.

Standard equipment highlights include a panoramic sunroof, 20-inch alloy wheels (unique to the Twin, the single-motor gets 19s), distinctive ‘Thors Hammer’ headlights, a power tailgate, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay, Harman Kardon sound system with a windscreen-length soundbar, dual-zone climate control and Google built-in for five years (Play Store, Maps, and Assistant).

Ultras also share automated parking assist, power front seats with four-way lumbar adjust and heating, tinted rear windows and a heated steering wheel.

Being a Volvo, safety is high on the agenda. Seven airbags and a 2024 five-star ANCAP rating are included, along with a high level of well-tuned driver assist systems including automated front and rear braking, lane keeping and blind-spot monitoring.

So, what’s missing? Well, we’d love either an instrument panel or a head-up display rather than just blankness in front of the driver. A spare tyre would be nice too. Volvo does so well on so many scores – it really is a worthy car company – but those omissions are major and really disappointing.

This is truly subjective, but I reckon one of the best things about the 2025 Volvo EX30 Twin Performance Ultra is its exterior look.

At only 4233mm long it’s actually the smallest EV Volvo has yet made, but the designers have done really well with the real estate they have. It’s a step on from the electric XC40 electric (now known as EX40) and C40 Recharge, maybe because it’s based on an EV platform rather than one that has to be shared with an ICE.

The next thing to appreciate is the way it bloody well goes. That 3.5-second acceleration time is epically fast. As fast as the latest BMW M5, while saving yourself about $180,000.

Of course, the EX30 covers that ground very stealthily. The primary ways you’re conscious of it are being pinned into your seat and the rapidly blurring scenery.

It’s also great for taking passengers by surprise.

But the EX30 is not a one-trick pony. Terrific acceleration from a standing start is one thing, but the ease of access and usability of the powertrain makes this a very friendly around-town shopping trolley.

Talk about a Q-ship.

It doesn’t ride severely hard like a focussed hot hatch, or steer excessively heavily at low speed as some performance cars are prone to do. And its big glass house ensures there’s a good view out for manoeuvring in tight spaces.

The squared circle ‘squircle’ steering wheel is good to hang on to, front seats are comfortable and some of the storage ideas are innovative, including the extendable centre console tray.

The Pixel Knot interior our test car came with included a truly lovely cloth seat trim and spotty presentation in the dash and doors, which was kinda cool.

Sadly, there’s a fair bit to cover here starting with the omission of the instrument panel and head-up display.

Just because Tesla does something doesn’t make it right. Having to glance away from the road to your left to check your speed is nonsensical, in my humble opinion. It doesn’t help that the position of the speedo changes in the screen dependant on whether the cruise control is active.

The number of items controlled through the screen adds to the frustration. Physical buttons are in extreme short supply, so adjustments to mirrors and air-conditioning are via the screen.

Very annoying, as was the occasional glitchiness of the Apple CarPlay interface. Software is something Volvo’s been having dramas with for a while.

Other interior controls also take some adjusting to, including the power window switches that double up to open the rear windows; the under-sized glovebox that drops out of the centre console; the lack of overhead grabs for any passengers to hang on to and the single squared off knob that performs all power-seat adjustments.

The EX30 is commendably trimmed in a variety of renewed and recycled materials but some surfaces are pretty hard. That doesn’t quite marry with the price tag.

Of course, being such a small car the EX30 is not generous when it comes to rear seat space. A 180cm passenger behind a 180cm driver will have their knees splayed. There’s also not that much in terms of creature comforts back here.

The boot is quite small at just 318 litres expanding to 904L. But what’s left unsaid in the stats is how wide it is. That’s really helpful when fitting in large awkward items like mountain bikes.

The claimed range of the EX30 also came up a fair bit shorter than the optimistic predictions presented by the trip computer. It almost caught us out during one day of open-road driving. It will do better in town.

Finally, while we commended the driving experience of the EX30 as a suitable for everyday experience, it doesn’t quite match the burliness of the powertrain.

The steering and handling are fine, but if they could better connect the driver to the experience – it’s hard with EVs to do this – this could be a very memorable little zero-emissions hot hatch. C’mon Volvo, you know you want to.

There is much to like about the 2025 Volvo EX30 Twin Performance Ultra. But there are also some other things that aren’t so good.

Boil it down to this. Good looks and epic straight-line speed are in conflict with interior design and ergonomic failures allied with a premium price.

If it wasn’t so minimalist in so many ways inside, I reckon the EX30 flagship would be so much closer to being a winner. But, as it is, it’s that bit too compromised for me. Maybe the cheaper price paid for lesser EX30s might make the oversights a bit more bearable.

2025 Volvo EX30 Twin Performance Ultra at a glance:
Price: $71,290 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Two permanent magnet synchronous motors
Output: 315kW/543Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 69kWh lithium-ion
Range: 455km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 18kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2024)

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