Volvo Cars Korea has unveiled the premium pure electric SUV, the ‘Volvo EX30’, for the first time in Korea and is now accepting pre-orders.
The EX30 is a five-seat pure electric SUV that embodies Volvo Cars’ brand vision for transition to a premium pure electric vehicle brand by 2030. It incorporates innovative elements in design, interior, safety technology, and convenience features while being priced incredibly aggressively starting from the ₩40 million range, ensuring full eligibility for subsidies to promote the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
The exterior of the EX30 is based on the Scandinavian design philosophy of “functional and honest design.” The unified closed front design in the body color creates a powerful image through newly designed ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED headlights, a low hood, wide fenders, and air intakes integrated into the outer bumper, all while enhancing aerodynamics.
The rear features high tail lights and frameless door mirrors that encapsulate the modern electric vehicle design that Volvo Cars will introduce in the future, and the available exterior colors include a newly introduced Cloud Blue, along with three other colors inspired by nature in Northern Europe.
The interior emphasizes a holistic experience through a centralized theme and innovative spatial arrangement, providing convenient storage options for all passengers. Inspired by home sound bars, several speakers that are typically located in the door trim have been integrated at the bottom of the front windshield to create new storage spaces.
The slide system applied to the center console allows it to be used as a cup holder or for storing small items, while the sliding storage box underneath the center console can accommodate bags or larger belongings.
To embody the value of responsible luxury, the interior materials include ‘Nordico’, a bio-material made from pine oil produced in Finland and Sweden, recycled denim or plastics, flax-based synthetic fibers, and wool blends containing 70% recycled polyester. Additionally, for the first time among Volvo models, five ambient light themes inspired by Scandinavian nature have been applied to enhance the sensory quality of Swedish premium.
Despite being a compact SUV, the EX30 showcases the essence of Volvo’s 96 years of safety DNA, having all advanced safety systems along with new safety features, setting a new standard for safe electric SUVs.
The new standard safety technology, dubbed ‘Safe Space Technology’, includes a ‘Driver Monitoring Alert System’ that monitors the driver’s movements with an IR sensor mounted on the top of the steering wheel, ‘Next-Generation Park Pilot Assist’ that allows the driver to park simply by manipulating a 3D interface screen, and ‘Door Open Alert’ which warns of approaching bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, etc., from the front and rear of the vehicle with visual and auditory signals to prevent accidents when opening doors.
The Pilot Assist, which helps maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front and keeps the lane, as well as automatic braking technology at intersections, road departure mitigation, collision avoidance with approaching vehicles in the opposite lane, and low-speed automatic braking that supports automatic stopping when collision risks are detected during reverse driving, are all standard advanced safety specifications equivalent to flagship models.
Connectivity features the next-generation infotainment platform developed in collaboration with Tmap Mobility. This is an integrated concept featuring an intuitive human-machine interface, a center display, and multifunction steering wheel switches, offering a new standard for evolving mobility over time. The new standalone 12.3-inch center display allows for intuitive navigation and entertainment, indoor temperature control, charging, and various settings, all of which can also be accessed via voice recognition through a smart assistant with over 96% recognition accuracy in Korean.
The EX30’s powertrain features a rear-wheel-based single motor extended range with a 69kWh battery combined with a 200kW motor, promising an engaging driving experience. With a maximum driving range of up to 475 km (based on WLTP) on a single charge, it supports various lifestyles, from urban commuting to weekend getaways. It supports DC fast charging up to 153kW, enabling charging from 10% to 80% in just about 26 minutes.
The sales trims will be offered in two variants, Core and Ultra, based on external design elements such as two-tone body colors and wheel sizes, along with indoor options, powered front seats with driver’s memory function, park pilot assist, a 360-degree camera, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system.
To promote the wider adoption of premium pure electric vehicles, the EX30 is priced at ₩49.45 million and ₩55.16 million (after green tax benefits, excluding subsidies), allowing more customers to enjoy Swedish premium vehicles at a similar price to internal combustion engine vehicles.
Additionally, it comes with industry-leading benefits, including a 5-year or 100,000 km warranty and maintenance service, an 8-year/160,000 km high-voltage battery warranty, 15 years of free wireless updates, and a 5-year digital service package subscription.
Lee Yun-mo, CEO of Volvo Cars Korea, stated, “The EX30 is a premium pure electric vehicle that encompasses everything necessary for a safer tomorrow. It features a new pure electric powertrain that achieves zero emissions while maintaining driving pleasure, an innovative space design supporting various lifestyles for five passengers, next-generation safety specifications to save more lives, and advanced connectivity, capturing all that customers expect from Volvo today. Furthermore, we hope that more people can experience the future of urban mobility through the unprecedented pricing introduced to popularize premium electric vehicles.”
Meanwhile, pre-orders for the EX30 will start at 1 PM on the 28th via the official Volvo Cars Korea website, and to celebrate this launch, a special pop-up will take place at Peaches Do Won in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, until December 10th.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr
