Volvo EX30 Twin Performance 2024 Owner Review

Martin drives a Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance 65kWh 2024.

This is Martin’s fourth electric car, he’s owned the Volvo EX30 1-2 years and drives 5,000-10,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 10,000-20,000 miles and he achieves 190 miles from an 80% charge. Martin chose the Ultra trim.

Why did you choose the Volvo EX30 Twin Performance?

I wanted a car that felt safe, refined and practical, but also fun to drive. The Volvo EX30 Twin Performance immediately ticked every box. Its compact form makes city streets and parking a breeze, yet on the motorway it’s stable and composed. From the start, it felt like a better Volvo – quiet, responsive, and refined in ways older Volvos weren’t; it retained the understated, confident character that makes the brand so distinctive.

The suspension is perfectly balanced – soft enough for comfort, firm enough for reassurance – and coupled with the instant torque from the electric motors, it makes driving genuinely effortless and engaging. Simply put, it felt like the only car I could see myself living with day-to-day that didn’t compromise on fun, practicality or safety.

Positives

The EX30 combines performance and refinement beautifully. It has 422hp, 0–60 in 3.4 seconds (3.2 seconds excluding 1-foot rollout), yet the cabin remains quiet and comfortable, making long drives effortless.

The suspension is soft but composed, and the seats are extremely supportive with adjustable lumbar. The interior feels personal rather than sterile, with Light Breeze seats, metal door handles, frameless mirrors, and a low dash that improves road visibility.

The compact footprint, wheels at the corners, and low unsprung mass make city driving and parking simple, while the glass roof adds light and headroom. The frunk stores the charging cable neatly, keeping the boot free.

Charging is convenient and fast enough for real-world use: most stops are 15–20 minutes, giving time to relax or watch YouTube/Amazon Prime on the built-in infotainment.

Negatives

Rear legroom is tight, which can be slightly uncomfortable for passengers on longer journeys, though the front cabin is very spacious (especially thanks to the open center console giving additional legroom).

Performance mode still causes the car to creep slightly so it’s not a perfect one-pedal drive (not an issue in other drive modes). Early software quirks, such as one-pedal drive being weak or activating performance AWD taking multiple steps, have been entirely resolved with over-the-air updates.

Compared to when you first bought the car, does your battery still charge at the same rate & do you still get the same range?

After 18 months and 11,000 miles, the battery is still in excellent condition. I usually set the charge limit at 80%, and battery health now sits at 99%. Peak charging reaches 153kW, and the real-world charging curve averages around 114kW from 10–80%, keeping charging stops short and practical. Most journeys only require 15–20 minutes at a charger, which is enough time to grab a coffee or catch up on a bit of YouTube!

Have you experienced any faults with the car? If so, what have they been?

The car has been impressively reliable. Mechanically, the only minor fault is a very minor squeak in the driver’s seat. Early software glitches have long been resolved via over-the-air updates. Overall, there have been no significant issues, and the car feels solid mechanically and electronically.

What are the standout technological features of the car?

Pilot Assist keeps the car centred in its lane effortlessly. Auto lane change and auto park are neat features, though more novelty than daily essentials. The vertical infotainment screen keeps the dash low and uncluttered while providing glanceable information without distraction.

Software updates have added genuinely useful features over time: quick actions, a new welcome view, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and phone-as-key functionality (including Apple Wallet support if the phone battery dies). The car calculates charging stops, estimates state-of-charge on arrival, and allows filtering by preferred networks, making long trips stress-free. Off-throttle regenerative braking gives excellent control on hills and varied terrain.

Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about your Volvo EX30

Even with the switch to electric, the EX30 still feels unmistakably Volvo: safe, composed, refined, and understated. It’s a car that surprises you with thoughtful touches, comfort, and clever tech. I’ve completely fallen in love with it and plan to keep it for 10–15 years or more! Every time I park it, I find myself looking back at it – a testament to how much I enjoy owning and driving it.

What’s the biggest or funniest myth you’ve heard about EVs?

You can’t charge them in the rain!

What electric car(s) are you interested in next and why?

While I don’t plan on separating with my EX30 for many, many, years to come, I would be interested in a more saloon-styled Volvo (maybe a size class smaller than the new Volvo ES90), simply for more rear legroom and being lower to the ground.

Electricity supplier & tariff

Intelligent Octopus Go – offering cheap overnight charging (7p per kWh), with additional cheap rate slots through the day when the car is plugged in.

What public charging networks would you recommend to others and why?

For longer trips, I tend to use Tesla Superchargers exclusively. I know that whenever I arrive, there will usually be 12-24 high-speed chargers available, which takes the stress out of planning stops. I filter for these in the car, and the EX30’s route planner automatically does the rest – calculating exactly how long to charge, what state of charge I’ll arrive with, and even how busy the site is – so I can focus on enjoying the journey rather than worrying about charger availability.