Scandinavian Entry Point

Can this baby Swede still offer the Volvo experience without big compromises? We spent some time with it in Jaipur to find out

- Story: Gaurav Davare Photography: Sanjay Raikar

IN INDIA, IF ONE WANTS TO OPT FOR AN entry-level Volvo, the EX40 electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) has been the choice for some time now.

There is, however, an even lower Scandinavian entry point for a Volvo EV from 2023 in the form of the EX30. Although it has not yet been launched in India, we had an opportunity to sample it in Jaipur. Since the Volvo EX30 is a baby Swede, the real question is whether this entry-level offering can continue to offer the Volvo experience we're familiar with, without serious compromises. Let us find out.

One can immediately tell that the Volvo EX30 is unmistakably Volvo, as the marque’s design philosophy prides itself on subtle, sleek, and understated elegance without needing to be shouty about it. Since this is not an electric SUV based on an internal-combustion engine model, the closed panel is considerably smoother and flows with the rest of the body nicely. Another Volvo trope is the Thor-hammer daytime running lights (DRL) that have rectangular elements, similar to the EX90's. I particularly like how the front fender exaggerates, flowing into the wheel-arch and almost bulging into the hood.