VOLVO EX30

As the Swedish brand enters uncharted territory with its smallest electric SUV yet, we ask the members of our reader jury to issue their verdicts

- Alasdair Rodden

THE EX30 SMALL SUV is set to be Volvo's most affordable electric car )EV). In fact, when the EX30 goes on sale early next year, it'll be the least expensive new Volvo full stop. And while the design of the EX30 features familiar Volvo styling cues, it's actually based on the same underpinnings as the Smart #1, a model that we gave five stars.

Like the #1, the EX30 is offered with a single 268bhp motor that drives the rear wheels, or as a 422bhp four-wheel-drive variant with a Tesla Model Y-challenging 0-62mph time of 3.6sec.

However, the EX30 differentiates itself from the #1 when it comes to its battery. While the #1 comes solely with a 62kWh )usable) battery, the EX30 can be had with either a 49kWh battery or a larger, 64kWh unit. The latter increases the official range of single-motor EX30s from 231 miles to 298 miles. Twin-motor cars get the larger battery and a 286-mile range.

EX30 prices start at £33,795 for the 49kWh version, undercutting the cheapest # 1. A 64kWh EX30 will set you back at least £38,545 a similar price to our favourite mid-range #1.

We invited our readers to inspect a pre-production EX30, to find out whether it deserves to be a hit.

DAVID EDMISTON 
Age 64 Job Retired Drives Aston Martin Vantage, Skoda Scala

"I'm looking for a new car to replace my Skoda Scala. I need something with a good amount of interior space, because I have two tall, grown-up children, neither of whom drives, so I often end up picking them up and driving them around. I think they'd have plenty of room in the EX30.