I spent six months with a Volvo EX30, and here’s my honest opinion about it

They say time flies when you’re having fun, and the last six months with my Volvo EX30 have certainly flown by. Since taking delivery in May, I’ve covered more than 5,000 miles between my two EX30s. It would’ve been one, if not for a dalliance with a deer on the A3 in my original car which saw it sent back to Volvo.

But every cloud has a silver lining, because it meant I got to experience the ballistic Twin Motor version and the more sensible Extended Range model. I’ve already done an in-depth comparison on those two cars, and you can also check out the things I loved and loathed about the EX30 in my penultimate report.

Make no mistake, my first few weeks with the EX30 weren’t exactly smooth. I think my colleagues grew tired of hearing me moan about the various software issues – the infuriating touchscreen being my biggest bug bear.

The keyless entry system also caused me pretty major headaches at times. With no buttons on the key fob, you have to rely on it unlocking as you approach the car – which it only did around 50% of the time in my original EX30. The second one was more reliable, but there were still plenty of occasions where I was walking laps of the car pulling the door handles, begging it to let me in.

I mean, how hard would it be to slap a button on the key? Problem solved.

But as time went on, I learned my way around these annoyances and started to bond with my Volvo. A software update made the screen much easier to use, and it meant I could start to see the EX30 for what it was – a lovely little electric car.

It’s comfortable to drive, super stylish inside and out and the Volvo app was also super handy for preheating the car on cold mornings.

There’s also a certain “want it” factor with the EX30 – a quality you can’t really put your finger on but makes it seem so desirable. I think the styling and the quirky interior play a big part, but it’s just a very likeable car.

Moving back to the sensible stuff for a second – my final efficiency figure in the Extended Range model was 3.3 miles per kWh over 2,130 miles covering a range of motorways, country roads and urban drives.

That equates to a real-world range of almost 230 miles, which is 78% of the 296-mile claimed figure. That’s about what I’d expect from most electric cars, I just could’ve done with a few extra miles from it when living without home charging.

The Twin Motor version was managing close to 200 miles on a charge, so it’s not that much worse considering it’s got an extra motor on board.

Living with a Volvo EX30: would I buy one?

This is the million-dollar question, and one I’ve been agonising over for quite a while. If I had access to charging at home and was in the market for an electric car, the EX30 would certainly be near the top of my shopping list.

That’s despite its flaws. The button-free interior drove me mad at times, as did the intrusive driver assistance systems. But my Border Terrier also drives me mad sometimes with her incessant barking, and I still love her to bits.

The EX30 has so much charm and character that you can forgive its shortcomings. It’s a car which makes you feel good, whenever you walk up to it and get in, and I always found myself turning back to look at it after parking up. That’s important to me, and it’s why I would buy a Volvo EX30.

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