Waters have been muddied by a flood of new models cascading into a sea of choice the likes of which Australia has never seen. Volvo was a brand that came close to the demise that befell its Swedish rival, SAAB, but was rescued from Ford’s custodianship by Geely.
That’s an astonishing bit of good luck, but with the good luck comes a tinge of irony. Volvo’s sales have been bijou and its fortunes have blown with the wind but it is buoyed by billowing effects of Geely’s gentle zephyr. The irony kicked in when Volvo was joined by fellow Geely stable mates from ZEEKR and Geely itself. ZEEKR X is the cheaper version of the EX30 using the same platform and running gear. The drive experience is so similar so as not to be noticed by a casual onlicker (yes, a pun).
Last week’s 2027 EX30 Ultra started the Swedish meatball rolling, and this week we add the saucy EX30 Cross Country and its spicy 315 kW / 543 Nm dual motor main course.
EX30 Cross Country takes the EX30 Ultra, raises it 19mm, adds 115kw of power, and trim that seems to be the automotive equivalent of a pair of Timberlands and a complete Fjallraven outfit. It isn’t really rugged, but it is everything Sweden distilled into a single being. It feels alive, something unusual for an EV. It is classy, and practices what it preaches, safety, economy, and recycling.
Since launch, Volvo dropped prices to fit into the Australian line-up, and in response to the mass arrival of cheaper Chinese brands.
Enter the portals using the fob or by pressing the card against the driver’s side pillar, but the presence of the fob will do it without human intervention which is the way I like it.
Above: 2027 Volvo EX30 Cross Country is AWESOME – PART 2
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ABOVE: The 2027 EX30 Cross Country
The cabin
EX30 Cross Country blurs the fine line between wee hatch and compact SUV, and is built for ice and snow.
It’s cabin uses recycled denim fabric and Nordico. Nordico is Volvo’s posh, leather-free upholstery for electric cars. It’s made from recycled PET bottles, corks, and bio-attributed forest materials. The lightweight finish mimics the feel of high-end leather but has a 74% lower carbon footprint, aligning with Volvo’s eco-friendly goals while subtly referencing its “Nordic” roots.
All MY27 EX30’s received the same upgrades and you can read the story and watch the EX30 Ultra video HERE.
The infotainment system is now far less pernickety, nagging less than before. There are no driver instruments, so all driving data gets a strip at the top of the console tablet. It desperately needs an HUD (head up display) at the very least.
The Android OS works well, and behaved itself, unlike the other Android or Android-like (and Android Open Source Project) systems we’ve used.
It does mean everything is in a menu, including the glove box opener. Some of the core functions can be made using Hey Google, but Google has to be online for full functionality. Annoyingly, it can be offline even if the built-in SIM has full strength reception. It has a mind of its own, and commands that work now may not work in a few minutes.
It will open windows, change temperature, input addresses and other useful often-used procedures. Make sure you’re logged into your Google account, and personal results are allowed in the menu for the next experience.
Complaints about a single pair of window switches in the front and in the rear are greatly exaggerated. It’s a 1st world problem you quickly adapt to, and there is a toggle to select rear windows which stays in that position for a short period.
Some say it is to make the centre console neater and less crowded, others say it is to save money on door switches. Who cares?
The ambience is soft and comfortable. It is a 2000’s interpretation of Scandi Mid-Century Modern. Simplicity and precision layered over minimalist tech so the Zen atmosphere is softly emphasised without the riders being bombarded. That is what good design is meant to be. You know it is classy and calming, but can’t put your finger on why. In many ways that is what luxury now means.
Finally, the rear legroom is snug, and there is no front seat cooling.
The Drive
The perky little Swede nips to 100kph in 3.7 seconds, yet that urgent pace still feels gentle.
There is no doubt the EX30 Cross Country (aka EX30 CC) wants you to push her. But no, you want to enjoy relaxed motoring instead. That means gentle manoeuvres, softer 1-pedal operation, and the feeling that you could do a long drive and get out as fresh as a noggin of Aquavit.
Apart from highway and freeway driving, we tackled a few enthusiastic curves and some shopping. We gave the smart parking a miss after a couple of aborted efforts, and do this for most cars that have it. Very few systems can cope, and none do it as quick as a competent human.
Yes, the EX30 Cross Country gets to the hundy fast, and yes, it is capable of changing direction with alacrity. What it isn’t, is a sports car. Sporting yes, sporty no, so the ride is less firm than the rear-wheel-drive sisters.
Treating the EX30 Cross Country like a Ferrari completely misses the point of it in the first place. It is meant to be fun, cute, premium, and perky. The quiet cabin also makes it a tiny Zen capsule, especially in rush hour jams. The Volvo is still steering and controlling the go and stop, so the driver is relieved of almost all stress. It isn’t self-drive by any means, and thank goodness for that. A human won’t run red lights and spontaneously change 4 lanes of traffic. That’s something that happened on our tests and as yet, no car has proved itself ready for humanless driving.
Road trips are possible but how many of us really go further than city limits regularly?
Charging is quoted at 175kw on DC rapid chargers, but maxes out at 153kw. Although the smallish 69kwh battery gets you around 420km, it takes half an hour from 10 to 80%. Considering some EVs similarly priced have 800v architecture allowing 220 to 300kw charging, some Chinese brands now have 1500kw flash DC charging. Don’t buy a car for today, buy for next week.
The ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) have been twiddled, and the auto lane change mostly works well. The driver is less troubled by constant bongs, but some features still need fettling every trip. The auto lane change for example. It is seen by Brussels as something drivers must decide they want, every trip. The EU has a lot to answer for because it is the HQ of EuroNCAP, therefore tied to ANCAP which dictates Australian standards by proxy.
What’s our verdict?
The 2027 EX30 Cross Country ticks all of our boxes. It is a high-riding coupe with the advantage of 4 doors. It has great handling and feels relaxing to drive.
Despite Volvo lowering the prices it remains a pricey option even amongst its own siblings.
Sizing and Dimension Comparison
Despite sharing a platform with the Zeekr X, the Volvo EX30 is the smallest car here. It features a significantly shorter wheelbase and the tightest boot capacity of the trio.
| Dimension | Volvo EX30 | Zeekr X | Zeekr 7X |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,233 mm | 4,432 mm | 4,787 mm |
| Width | 1,837 mm | 1,836 mm | 1,930 mm |
| Height | 1,555 mm | 1,566 mm | 1,650 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,750 mm | 2,900 mm |
| Boot Space | 318 L | 362 L | 539 L |
Price and Variant Comparison
Volvo responded directly to Chinese challenger pricing by slashing EX30 retail costs by up to $11,300. However, keep in mind that Volvo prices are before on-road costs (MSRP), whereas Zeekr X pricing is fully inclusive “drive-away”.
| Trim Tier | Volvo EX30 (MSRP) | Zeekr X (Drive-away) | Zeekr 7X (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level RWD | $49,990 (Plus) | $48,900 (Base) | $57,900 (Base) |
| Premium RWD | $54,990 (Ultra) | – | $63,900 (Long Range) |
| Flagship AWD | $62,990 (Cross Country) | $57,900 (AWD) | $72,900 (Performance) |
Note: Adding registration, stamp duty, and dealer delivery fees will typically add roughly $4,000-$6,000 to the MSRP figures of the Volvo and Zeekr 7X, depending on your state.
Volvo EX30 Cross Country AWD Quick Reference
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Retail price | $62,990 (excludes on-road costs) |
| National promotional price | $68,990 drive-away (includes registration, CTP, stamp duty, dealer delivery) |
| Powertrain | Twin-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Power / torque | 315 kW / 543 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 3.7 seconds |
| Battery | 69 kWh lithium-ion (NMC) |
| Driving range | 427 km (WLTP) |
| DC fast charging | Up to 175 kW (10% to 80% in ~26-28 mins) |
| Ground clearance | 190 mm (19 mm higher than the standard Ultra) |
| Cargo space | 318 L seats up, 1000 L seats folded, plus 6 L front boot |
| Towing capacity | 907 kg braked |
| Exclusive mechanical | Twin-motor AWD (+115 kW over Ultra), lifted ride height (+19 mm), trail-softened suspension, Hill Descent Control |
| Exclusive protection | Front and rear silver skid plates, matte black wheel-arch mouldings, protective side-door cladding |
| Exclusive aesthetics | Matte black nose cone, laser-etched Swedish mountain topographical map on the bumper, Cross Country badging |
| Trade-off | Range reduced to 427 km WLTP (down from the Ultra’s 476 km RWD range) due to extra weight and raised ride height |
| Infotainment | 12.3-inch touchscreen, Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay |
| Audio | 1040W Harman Kardon soundbar |
| Comfort | Fixed panoramic glass roof, power-adjustable heated front seats, heated steering wheel |
| Safety | 360-degree camera, Park Pilot Assist, Pilot Assist adaptive cruise, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) |
| Warranty | 5-year/unlimited km vehicle, 8-year/160,000 km battery |
More Volvo Stories
- The 2027 Volvo EX30 ER Ultra is NOW Superb and Bug Free
- 2026 Volvo ES90 Ultra Isn’t German Review but The Best Luxury
- 2026 Volvo ES90 Ultra: 5-Minute Quick Review
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Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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