Style OVER SUBSTANCE?

Volvo's most affordable luxury EV has arrived in style, but does it have the substance to go the distance?

- WORDS SHIVANK BHATT PHOTOGRAPHY SUNIL CHAUHAN

There was a time when electric vehicles had a certain X-factor. But with the recent onslaught of EVs from virtually every corner of the world, that charm has somewhat faded. The problem is, most of them look, feel, and, to a great extent, drive the same. Futuristic styling, tech-laden cabins, and blistering straight-line speeds have now become common to all EVs. Consequently, it's getting increasingly difficult to distinguish one EV from another in terms of character.

So, for any brand hoping to make its EV stand out, thinking beyond that established template is no longer optional. Many manufacturers are already well and truly on that path, including Volvo. Its latest EV, the EX30, is a brand-new product made entirely from the ground up, and it claims to reshape how people view Volvo and its EVs. But the question remains - does it truly bring something new to the table, or will it be lost in the ever-expanding sea of the commonplace?

SUV OR HATCH?

The EX30 is a compact SUV, and it'll be Volvo's most affordable offering in the country once its prices are announced. At first glance, it may look more like a hatchback than a compact SUV, but if you come to think of it, that's hardly a drawback. The proportions are tight and athletic, giving it a modern stance that strikes a balance between Volvo's design heritage and futuristic styling. Signature Thor's Hammer LED headlamps, split tail-lamps, and the clean surfacing are classic Volvo design cues, while those 19-inch aero wheels give it a sporty edge. Its overall design, in fact, is likely to be one of the EX30's biggest draws, especially for younger buyers.