Volvo EX30 vs Jaecoo E5: Mat Watson tests two fashion-forward electric cars

There are dozens of small electric SUVs on the market these days, but if you’re after something which turns heads then your choices are a bit more limited. There’s the super-cool Renault 4 and the futuristic Peugeot E-2008 to name a couple, as well as the two cars I’m going to focus on today.

They would be the Volvo EX30 and the Jaecoo E5. These are two cars which stand out for very different reasons, and I’m going to compare them on design, practicality, technology and drive them both to help you decide which one is best.

Volvo EX30 vs Jaecoo E5: design and desirability

On paper, you might not think the Jaecoo E5 is that exciting to look at. It’s quite boxy, and the blanked-off grille makes it look a tad anonymous from the front, but from the side and rear it does a very good job of imitating something much more premium.

That would be the Range Rover Evoque. The sloping roofline and squat rear end make the Jaecoo E5 look very similar to that car, so if you want to fool your neighbours into thinking you’ve bought something far more expensive, this could be the car for you.

The Volvo EX30 doesn’t need to copy other cars to stand out, because it is effortlessly cool. I love the Thor’s Hammer headlights and the funky LEDs at the rear, and it has a really sporty-looking side profile. I reckon it looks a bit like a trendy training shoe.

The Jaecoo E5 looks smart and much more expensive than its price tag suggests, but the Volvo wins for me on the design front. I think it looks wicked.

Volvo EX30 vs Jaecoo E5: prices and value for money

Let’s discuss the dirty topic of money, because, let’s face it, the price you pay for these cars will be a huge deciding factor.

The Volvo EX30 starts from £33,000, or you can lease one for around £300 per month at the time of writing.

All models come with adaptive cruise control, a Google-based infotainment system, a reversing camera and keyless entry, but I’d pay an extra £2,000 for the mid-spec Plus version.

This adds heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a power tailgate, Harmon Kardon sound system, dual-zone climate control and wireless phone charging. If you want a 360-degree camera, electrically-adjustable seats and a panoramic roof, you’ll have to get the top-spec model costing £43,300.

The Jaecoo E5 lineup is much more simple. Prices start from £27,505, or around £240 per month if you lease one at the time of writing, and all models come with a surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and keyless entry.

Or, for an extra £3,000, you can get the top-spec Luxury model with a panoramic glass roof, heated and ventilated front seats, a power tailgate, power seats and a heated steering wheel.

All of that costs less than a basic EX30, so when it comes to value for money the Jaecoo E5 is the clear winner.

Volvo EX30 vs Jaecoo E5: interior and practicality

When you get into the Jaecoo E5, the interior feels much more premium than its sub-£30,000 price tag would suggest. All the materials are nice and plush, and the switchgear also feels high-quality.

I also like the fast and easy-to-use central touchscreen. It’s a shame that there are no physical buttons for the climate control, but this is a criticism I can level at the Volvo as well.

The Volvo EX30 has Google software built into the infotainment system, and when it’s working it’s great. I say this because we actually lived with an EX30 for six months, and in that time it was cursed by a multitude of software glitches which made it pretty infuriating to use.

When everything is working as it should, you have apps like Google Maps and Spotify built in which negates the need to pair your phone. It’s a clever system, I just wish it was a bit more reliable.

At least the Volvo makes up for this by having a much more interesting interior design than the Jaecoo. You can get loads of funky-looking recycled materials on the dashboard, and I also like the floating centre console. Build quality is really good as well, and I especially like the solid metal door handles.

I just wish the Volvo was a bit more practical, because compared to the Jaecoo it has really tight rear seats and a tiny boot. It’s over 160 litres down on the E5 in terms of carrying capacity, but at least the Volvo does have a small front boot which the Jaecoo does without.

It’s close between these two cars inside, but the Jaecoo E5 edges a win for me. The Volvo’s interior may look cooler, but the Jaecoo is way more practical and the tech is easier to use.

Volvo EX30 vs Jaecoo E5: motors, range and driving

There are three different motor and battery combinations to choose from in the Volvo EX30. The entry-level car gets a 272hp motor driving the rear wheels and 209 miles of range, or you can get a larger battery which will do 295 miles between charges.

At the top of the range is a dual-motor version with a whopping 428hp. This will out-accelerate some sports cars, but I wouldn’t bother with it because that turn of speed doesn’t really suit the EX30’s relaxed driving style.

The Volvo EX30 is a really comfy and refined small electric car. It glides over bumps and potholes really nicely, and on the motorway it remains nice and quiet. The dinky dimensions also make it easy to drive in town, although the massive rear pillars do hinder visibility.

On a country road it feels predictable and safe, but in no way sporty. That’s why I think you’d be better off with the less powerful model. It’s more than quick enough, and it’ll do an extra 15 miles on a charge compared to the faster version.

The Jaecoo E5 is only available with one power option: a 207hp motor driving the front wheels, paired with a 61kWh battery which is good for 248 miles of range. That’s a good deal more than a basic EX30, which still costs more than the Jaecoo.

That said the Jaecoo will only charge at 80kW on a DC fast charger, which means it’ll take around half an hour to go from 30-80%. In that same time the Volvo can go from 10-80% thanks to its 153kW fast charging.

It’s not just charging speeds where the Jaecoo falls behind either, it’s also not as nice to drive as the Volvo EX30. I’d describe it as adequate in most situations. It’s comfy enough, but it’s more fidgety over bumps than the Swedish alternative and the steering is so vague that you never really have full confidence in it.

The Jaecoo may offer more range for the money, but it just can’t match the Volvo on comfort, charging or handling.

Volvo EX30 vs Jaecoo E5: Mat’s final verdict

On paper, this is a clear win for the Jaecoo E5. It’s cheaper than the Volvo EX30 by quite some way, better equipped and more practical, while also offering a posh-feeling interior and easy-to-use tech. If you’re after the best value for money, look no further.

However, there’s something about the Volvo EX30 which just makes you want one. Maybe it’s the chic styling, or perhaps it’s the quirky interior. The way it drives also plays into it, but it has a certain secret ingredient which makes it more desirable than the Jaecoo. If it were my money, I’d buy the Volvo, and if you can live with the tight rear seats and tiny boot then I think you should also seriously consider it.

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