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

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 Levin   

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

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

I got an early look at Volvo
The Volvo EX30.      Tim Levin/Insider

Let me show you around the EX30 and explain why.

Let me show you around the EX30 and explain why.
The Volvo EX30.      Tim Levin/Insider

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

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 design of Tesla
The Volvo EX30.      Tim Levin/Insider

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

Up front you have Volvo
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.

I like how Volvo kept the SUV
The Volvo EX30.      Tim Levin/Insider

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

The center armrest houses the window switches and door locks.

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.

Instead of a glove box, you
The Volvo EX30.      Tim Levin/Insider

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

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 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

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

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.

Here
The Volvo EX30.      Tim Levin/Insider

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

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 display uses a Google operating system that
The Volvo EX30.      Tim Levin/Insider

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

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 cabin as a whole is also super stylish and quirky.
The Volvo EX30.      Tim Levin/Insider

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

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 …

Cupholders pop out from the center console when you need them …
The Volvo EX30.      Tim Levin/Insider

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

… and there
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.

Interior space is decent, but the EX30 is a pretty compact SUV so don
The Volvo EX30.      Tim Levin/Insider

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.

Range is estimated at a healthy 275 miles for the single-motor, extended-range model. Some electric cars offer more range, but that
The Volvo EX30.      Tim Levin/Insider

Another huge selling point for the EX30: its price.

Another huge selling point for the EX30: its price.
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.

It will start at $34,950, which is super competitive with the Model 3
The Volvo EX30.      Tim Levin/Insider

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

That makes the EX30 one of the lowest-priced electric models in the US — and it
The Volvo EX30.      Tim Levin/Insider

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

Toyota
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 EX30 shouldn
The Volvo EX30.      Tim Levin/Insider

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

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.

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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