There are some cars that are inherently girly pop, and then there are cars that you know were built with the welfare of girls in mind—which is what this Volvo EX30 review is all about. The Swedish automotive brand’s most recent electric vehicle (EV) release champions tech and safety and we have particularly zoned in on the safety aspect. While safety isn’t inherently a gendered appeal, we can say for sure the girls will benefit greatly from it.
One cloudy Friday, I picked up the Volvo EX30 in Cloud Blue and was on my way into the city. My first impression of the car was: where are all the buttons? It was the most streamlined and pared-back vehicle I have ever had the pleasure of driving; its doors devoid of your usual buttons and the dashboard distraction-free. If it’s not on the centre console—like the power window buttons—it’s all inside the 12.3-inch entertainment display. Everything you need to ensure a smooth drive can be configured in there before the start of your journey.
But, I digress—back to the safety features of the EX30. The team behind the vehicle has incorporated a myriad of intelligent technology that makes driving a better experience not just for the driver, but everyone else in proximity. In KL where motorbikes are part of the traffic ecosystem, keeping vigilant for them can sometimes be difficult. Having an extra pair of eyes—or in this case, an automated alert—helps tremendously. The EX30 comes with a door-opening alert that detects motorbikes, cyclists, and other road users from behind and warns the passenger with audio and visual alarms as they’re trying to open the door. There’s also the automatic steering avoidance feature that helps keep bikers—and yourself—safe when they’re in the next lane.
You know what other vehicle is part of the traffic ecosystem in the Klang Valley?
Lorries. Big, hunkering, moving masses of metal that have perpetual blind spots everywhere—which is why you, as the driver, need to stay safe. Volvo helps the cause with the EX30’s Upgraded Pilot Assist which adjusts the car’s optimum distance from large vehicles on the highway, for added precaution.
For those who get performance anxiety when parking, your worries are over. The Volvo EX30 is the first to include the new-generation Park Pilot Assist feature, which handles nearly all types of parking styles: parallel, curved, perpendicular, and diagonal parking. It also automatically identifies available parking spots and takes over, manoeuvring the car.
There’s also an infrared camera above the steering wheel, keeping a close watch on your physical wellbeing. If you yawn while driving, a prompt will appear suggesting that you have a coffee or take a break before continuing on your drive. If you have the dangerous tendency of texting while driving, the camera will also detect that your eyes are not focused on the road, offering yet another prompt for you to concentrate on your driving.
Safety isn’t the only thing the EX30 is good for, of course. As a car, the EX30 also packs a punch. Choose from three variants—Plus, Ultra, and Ultra Twin Performance—with the latter boasting 428 PS of power and 543 Nm of torque launching it from zero to 100 km/h in only 3.6 seconds. Range anxiety also won’t be a thing for the EX30, as all models come equipped with a 69 kWh NMC battery pack that provides up to 476km of range for the single motor variants or 450km for the Ultra Twin Performance. It also has 175 kW DC fast charging, going from 10 to 80 percent in just 28 minutes. No more hanging around charging stations for hours on end.
Inside, the EX30 is equally as amazing. As I mentioned earlier in the article, its design is pared back and minimal, allowing only the essentials on display. My favourite personalisation feature in the car is the selection of five ambient light themes, which I found out were inspired by Swedish nature. They are all calming options, with the light colours shifting like auroras on the interior panels. These light themes also come with their respective ambient soundscape for added immersion. They certainly made my nighttime drives a lot more enjoyable.
Speaking of ambient soundscape, the EX30 comes fitted with Harmon Kardon Premium Sound in a single soundbar unit. Sound familiar? It was inspired by an audio system you’d find in a living room. The soundbar also negates the need for speakers on the front doors, which means more minimalism, plus reducing weight on the doors. Needless to say, it’s something even the most finicky of audiophiles would appreciate.
For five days, I took the Volvo EX30 around town as I would with my own vehicle—the point was to test out its daily driveability within the city. It was the perfect compact size without being too small, and it looked Scandi-chic. And after five days of fair driving, I still didn’t need a recharge. Is the Volvo EX30 a car for the girlies? 100 percent yes.
As of 2025, Volvo Malaysia has officially opened bookings for the locally assembled (CKD) Volvo EX30 in the Ultra and Ultra Twin Performance variants, with prices starting at RM208,888 and RM228,888 respectively.
Book your Volvo EX30 online here.
READ MORE
Editor’s Diary: Life with the iPhone 16 Pro Three Months Later
Master Your New Year’s Resolutions with These 10 Proven Tips