Tesla Model 3 vs Volvo EX30: similar prices, very different cars, but which is best for you?

The Volvo EX30 is one of our favourite electric cars here at Carwow, so much so we awarded it Car Of The Year in 2024. It’s super stylish, has a really cool interior and it represents great value for a posh electric SUV, with prices starting from around £33,000.

However, if you go for the mid-spec version with the longest range then it’ll cost just over £39,000, and that puts it right in the firing line of the mighty Tesla Model 3 – one of the UK’s best-selling EVs.

So with £40,000 in your pocket, which should you buy? Well we’re going to compare the two to help you decide.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Volvo EX30 vs Tesla Model 3: design

Design may be subjective, but most people who look at the Volvo EX30 are likely to agree that it looks wicked. With its “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and sleek lines, it’s a really neat-looking small electric car.

The Model 3 on the other hand is best-described as inoffensive, but a bit dull. A facelift back in 2023 helped things with some new lights, but it doesn’t have quite the same wow factor as the Volvo.

If you’re after something which makes you turn and look back after you’ve parked up, the Volvo EX30 is the better bet here.

Volvo EX30 vs Tesla Model 3: interior and infotainment

In terms of interior design these cars share a minimalist, button-free layout, however the vibes are very different.

The Model 3 looks a bit like an unfurnished flat, while the Volvo looks more like a cool Scandinavian apartment. The shape of the dashboard is more interesting, and the EX30 uses loads of funky-looking recycled materials around the place.

That said, when you move down to the door cards and centre console the plastics start to feel a bit cheap and scratchy. The Model 3 uses more posh-feeling materials than the Volvo, it just doesn’t have the most interesting interior design.

At the centre of both cars you’ll find a large touchscreen. The Tesla’s is a 15.4-inch landscape display, while the Volvo’s measures 12.3 inches across and is mounted in a portrait orientation.

As for the systems themselves, it’s a clear win for the Tesla Model 3. Both cars use the screen to control everything from changing the temperature to opening the glovebox, but the Tesla’s is far more intuitive to use.

You do get Google-based software in the Volvo, which is handy for things like Google Maps and Spotify, but the menu layout is pretty frustrating to navigate compared to the Tesla. We’d prefer physical buttons in either car, but the Model 3 executes the screen-only layout much better.

Volvo EX30 vs Tesla Model 3: space and practicality

It’s a clear win for the Tesla here straight off the bat. At 590 litres the boot is over 270 litres bigger than the Volvo’s, and there’s no contest in terms of rear seat space either.

The EX30 is only really suitable for kids in the back, or adults on shorter journeys. The Model 3 on the other hand has plenty of legroom and decent headroom.

At least both cars are comfortable in the front. The Model 3 does feel more sporty to sit in thanks to its low-slung driving position, but the Volvo gives you a more commanding view of the road. It comes down to which you prefer.

Storage in the Volvo EX30 is adequate, with good-sized door bins and some clever cupholders that slide out of the centre console. The glovebox is quite small though, and the Model 3 has more space under the central armrest.

If you and your partner are child-free and don’t carry people in the back very often, the Volvo EX30 should be practical enough for your day-to-day needs. If you do need to get people in the back, or you need to haul lots of stuff around, buy the Tesla.

Volvo EX30 vs Tesla Model 3: motors, range and driving

For £40,000 you’ll be looking at the Rear-Wheel Drive Standard Range version of the Tesla Model 3, while the same money will get you a mid-spec Extended Range version of the Volvo EX30.

Despite being called Extended Range, the Volvo can’t go as far on a charge as the Tesla. It has an official claimed range of 295 miles, while the Model 3 can do 323 miles between stops. If you spend an extra £5,000 you can also get a Model 3 with a whopping 436 miles of range.

Both cars have a single motor powering the rear wheels, but the EX30 will do 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds while the Model 3 takes almost six seconds. For just a few thousand pounds more you can also get a twin-motor Volvo EX30 with 430hp, and that car can do 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds. To beat that in a Tesla you’ll have to spend £60,000 on the Performance version.

As for driving, these two cars are both very good but they excel in different areas. The Volvo’s dinky dimensions and tall driving position make it a doddle to drive in town, while the Tesla’s lower stance makes it more fun to chuck down a twisty road.

While both of these cars are great motorway cruisers, the Tesla Model 3 is the better car for long-distance journeys. This is thanks in part to its longer range, but it also feels slightly more planted at speed and it’s a bit more refined.

Volvo EX30 vs Tesla Model 3: prices and specs

The Volvo EX30 starts from £33,000 for the basic Single Motor car, but that model only has 209 miles of range. To get the maximum 295 miles you’ll have to spend around £37,200, and we’d recommend upgrading to the mid-spec Plus version to get things like a contrasting black roof, power tailgate and nicer alloy wheels.

That brings the total to just over £39,100. Through Carwow you can lease this version for around £340 per month over three years, and there are a few used examples available from £28,000 at the time of writing.

Choosing your Tesla Model 3 is much more simple. For £39,990 you get a Rear-Wheel Drive model with 323 miles of range, and it may be worth spending an extra £3,400 for the enhanced Autopilot system which can take over the steering on the motorway as long as you keep your hands on the wheel.

Through Carwow you can lease a new Model 3 for £339 per month, and used prices for the facelifted model start from just under £29,000. So in terms of price there’s very little between these cars, so which should you buy?

Volvo EX30 vs Tesla Model 3 verdict: which is right for you?

The Volvo EX30 could sell on its styling alone, but it’s also a comfortable, well-equipped and great-value posh electric SUV. The 295-mile range will also be plenty for most people’s daily needs, and it’s really easy to drive in town.

However, the Tesla Model 3 offers more range, more interior space and a much better infotainment system for the same money. If you’re buying with your head, the Tesla comes out on top here. But if you don’t need to carry people in the back very often, the Volvo EX30 is a car you can buy with both your head and your heart.

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Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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