The marque’s offerings are making us rethink our penchant for petrol
The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is real, and even more so now we’re facing a looming oil crisis. Swedish car maker Volvo is ostensibly near the forefront of the electric charge, with a broad range of EVs and an upcoming launch on the horizon.
Jackie Cruze has driven and reviewed two Volvo EVs, the sleek Volvo C40 Recharge and the compact powerhouse Volvo EX30, both cars providing a visceral as well as technological experience.
Take that first drive in the C40 Recharge. There’s a moment of hesitation on entry, especially if it’s your first proper encounter with a fully electric car. The cabin is clean, the infotainment interface a little unfamiliar, and you half expect teething problems like, where’s the starter?
Within minutes though, the car begins to feel intuitive, almost as if it anticipates what you want. And then comes the moment that resets everything: foot down, and thought disappears. No engine noise, no build-up, just a silent rush as the power comes in instantly and propels you into the ergonomically awesome plush seating. It’s quick enough to feel slightly unreal, like zero to hero in 4.7 seconds flat.
Even when conditions aren’t perfect, like a thin film of sand on a coastal road, the C40 holds its own. A slight wiggle at most on acceleration, and then it’s back to that composed vibe that underscores the marque. Of course, when there’s a Harman Kardon sound system providing the audio, it makes up for any V8 sound cravings.
The Volvo EX30 takes that sensation and turns it into something quite mischievous. For those who come from a more analogue time, this car can be confusingly minimal. There are no buttons anywhere, other than the window openers. Everything is routed through a central screen, down to the cubby hole opener. It’s a brave new world.
Thing is, a glance away from the road to check said screen triggers a sharp reminder from the car itself. Eyes front, says the EX30. Lesson learned.
But once you’re dialled in, the EX30 delivers one of the most startling driving experiences around. The acceleration is best described as “hilarious”. From standstill, it launches with such force that it feels like it might unsettle your internal organs. There’s no pause, no gear change, just one continuous surge that keeps going.
The range-topping EX30 Ultra Twin Motor Performance variant brings 315kW and 543 Nm via all four wheels, for a zero to 100km/h charge of 3.6 seconds via a one-speed electric gearbox. Add deft traction control and a smooth powerband and this is the kind of performance that has supercar owners rethinking what electric cars are capable of, especially over those first 60 metres.
Inside both cars, Volvo’s minimalist approach is unmistakable. The C40 strikes a comfortable balance, while the EX30 pushes the idea almost to the edge. It’s not perfect; some controls feel buried, and the touchscreen can demand a bit too much attention. But this is where things are heading.
Underpinning it all is Volvo’s renowned attention to safety. Whether it’s the 360-degree camera that feels almost like a drone view, or the constant awareness of surrounding traffic, these cars help a driver anticipate danger.
Which brings us to the Volvo EX60. If the C40 introduced the feeling and the EX30 amplified it, the EX60 promises to refine it. Set to land in the highly competitive mid-size SUV segment, it’s expected to seamlessly bring together performance, space and next-generation software.
Early reports point to improved range, faster systems and even smarter safety integration. If Volvo gets it right, the EX60 could be the moment where everything clicks, at the moment most needed in the shift to EVs.