Living with a Volvo EX30: Should I have avoided the performance version? 

This is my Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance, a stylish and ballistically fast electric SUV which I’ve been driving daily since May. The picture below is of my car after an unfortunate meeting with a deer, so my beloved car has been taken away to have its battle scars patched up.

While it’s off being mended, Volvo kindly lent me another EX30 to keep me moving – and this one is the Single Motor Extended Range. I was interested to spend some time with this car, because in a lot of ways it makes much more sense than having the fast one.

It’s £2,500 cheaper to buy, and with one less motor sapping juice from the battery it should be more efficient as well. I’ve had this car for about a month now, and I have a few thoughts.

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Volvo EX30 Twin Motor vs Extended Range: the efficiency isn’t much better

This is what surprised me the most about switching to the Extended Range – the range hasn’t been extended that much.

Volvo claims the Performance version will do 280 miles on a charge, while the Extended Range is meant to 296. That’s not a huge difference considering the 156hp difference between the two cars.

In the real world, my Performance was getting around 200 miles on a charge and the Extended Range is managing 220 miles. So the gap between the two is pretty much as expected, I’d just hoped that the Extended Range would be more efficient and therefore get closer to its claimed figure.

Volvo EX30 Twin Motor vs Extended Range: I barely notice the power difference

The EX30 Performance is ballistically fast when you floor it, but in day-to-day driving I rarely miss having that much power.

From a standstill away from the lights, there’s not much between these two cars. Both feel quick when pulling out at junctions or merging onto the motorway. I only really notice the difference when accelerating from 30-60mph.

The Performance will still throw you back in your seat when leaving a town onto a national speed limit road, whereas the Extended Range feels brisk but not exhilarating. In reality though, I’m usually so focussed on eking out as much range as possible that I drive both as though I have a black box fitted.

The EX30 is set up to be comfortable and relaxing, so it’s not a car for attacking corners on a country road. The soft suspension setup makes the 428hp Performance version seem a tad pointless – if you’re just going to pootle about at a relaxed pace then the Single Motor model is more than powerful enough.

Volvo EX30 Twin Motor vs Extended Range: did I choose the wrong one?

If it were my money, I’d buy the Single Motor Extended Range. You may only get an extra 20 miles, but if, like me, you’re running an EV with no home charging then every mile matters. The £2,500 saving seals the deal for me.

However, I don’t think the Twin Motor model is as pointless as some fast EVs. In the case of our old Volkswagen ID7 GTX, it’s almost £7,000 more expensive than the Single Motor, and you take a hefty hit in terms of range, all in a car which is no more engaging to drive than the standard one.

In the case of the Volvo, it’s only an extra £2,500 and the 20-mile hit in range isn’t a huge deal, especially if you have home charging. It’s no sports car in the way it handles, but if you’re after straight-line thrills then the EX30 Twin Motor isn’t a bad shout.

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