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I got an early look at Volvo's $34,950 electric SUV and saw why it's one of the best Tesla rivals yet

Tim LevinJul 26, 2023, 19:19 IST

The Volvo EX30 starts at a bargain-bin $34,950.Tim Levin/Insider

I got an early look at Volvo's $35,000 electric SUV coming in 2024.
The little EX30 packs an estimated 275 miles of range and a stylish, minimalist interior.

Elon Musk's Tesla has been untouchable in the US electric car market for years.

But plenty of major car companies are trying their hardest to challenge the electric-vehicle maker at its own game. And the competition is getting better and better.

Case in point: The upcoming Volvo EX30. The little SUV serves up stylish looks, enough range for most people, and a minimalist interior that improves upon the sort of uncluttered, tech-forward design that Tesla pioneered. All that, plus the electric SUV's bargain-bin starting price, makes the EX30 one of the most exciting Tesla rivals coming down the pike.

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I got an early look at Volvo's upcoming electric SUV, and I think it's one of the most exciting Tesla rivals yet.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

Let me show you around the EX30 and explain why.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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The little SUV has the hefty, chiseled styling Volvo is known for.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

The design of Tesla's Model 3 and Y are getting dated. The EX30 looks fresh and cool.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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Up front you have Volvo's signature Thor's hammer headlights.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

I like how Volvo kept the SUV's front end clean and modern rather than slapping on some kind of fake grille.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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The interior embraces Swedish minimalism and is a refreshing change from the norm.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

I think Volvo took the uncluttered, techy look that Tesla pioneered and gave it a much-needed style update.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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Instead of a bunch of speakers scattered around, Volvo put the whole stereo system in a sound bar on the dashboard.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

To further simplify the interior, Volvo took all the usual clutter from the doors and elsewhere and put it in the center of the car.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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The center armrest houses the window switches and door locks.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

Instead of a glove box, you'll find a storage cubby with USB-C ports down low.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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And in the back row, the USB-C ports and window switches are also centralized.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

The design makes the whole interior easy on the eyes and creates more elbow room by slimming down the doors.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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Volvo also did away with the gauge cluster and most buttons in favor of a central touchscreen.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

Here's a nice touch: The top section of the screen displays all the info that would usually be right in front of the driver, like speed and range.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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Volvo purposefully placed that bit high enough that drivers can just glance over and not take their eyes off the road.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

The display uses a Google operating system that's nicer than most car software and comes with Google Maps built in. The EX30 also ships with wireless Apple CarPlay.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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All the efforts to cut complexity also make the EX30 greener to manufacture, since fewer parts are needed.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

The cabin as a whole is also super stylish and quirky.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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I particularly liked the speckled bits made from recycled plastic and the slim, shiny door handles.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

Cupholders pop out from the center console when you need them …

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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… and there's a removable storage/trash bin between the seats.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

Interior space is decent, but the EX30 is a pretty compact SUV so don't expect tons of legroom in back.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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Range is estimated at a healthy 275 miles for the single-motor, extended-range model. Some electric cars offer more range, but that's solid compared to the competition.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

Another huge selling point for the EX30: its price.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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It will start at $34,950, which is super competitive with the Model 3's $32,740 starting price (after federal tax credits). The Model 3 is a sedan so it wouldn't compete directly with the EX30, but it is Tesla's cheapest model.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

It will start at $34,950, which is super competitive with the Model 3's $32,740 starting price (after federal tax credits). The Model 3 is a sedan so it wouldn't compete directly with the EX30, but it is Tesla's cheapest model.

That makes the EX30 one of the lowest-priced electric models in the US — and it's from a premium brand.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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Toyota's BZ4X, albeit slightly larger, costs $42,000 and offers 23 fewer miles of range.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

The EX30 shouldn't disappoint buyers who want a little extra fun factor in their grocery-getting SUV.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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The high-performance, dual-motor model blasts to 60 mph in a brief 3.4 seconds, making it the quickest Volvo ever.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

Between its stylish design, approachable price, and competitive range, I think the EX30 will be a hit once it goes on sale in 2024.

The Volvo EX30.Tim Levin/Insider

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