Why the Volvo EX30 Cross Country is the EV built for big adventure
The future of the go-anywhere vehicle just got smaller, quieter and more urban friendly
By 
AUSTRALIA HAS AN SUV PROBLEM. Or rather, an SUV identity problem. For years, it’s seemed like the only way to enjoy the great outdoors and the roads less travelled has been through hulking vehicles that promise adventure but are more expensive and petrol hungry – and not necessarily city-friendly, the place where most of these vehicles will actually spend their lives.
The ’80s-’90s was the first era when we saw a new type of adventure-appropriate vehicle emerge, one that was fun, smaller and nimbler – and, at the time, deeply rooted in youth culture. Think: the two-door variants of the Jeep Wrangler, Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota RAV4 and the Suzuki Sierra (which in Oz was rebranded as the Holden Drover), to name a few. A handful of these have carried their legacy and nameplates into the now, but even fewer have held onto their small frames and youthful ethos. Today, as we move into pure electrification, a new type of vehicle is emerging to fill the gaps – a car that not only suits our urban lifestyles but also speaks to the growing number of Australians seeking cars that can take them (almost) anywhere.
Enter the Volvo EX30 Cross Country, a fresh variant that is the Swedish marque’s smallest electric SUV, designed for off-road adventures in the friendliest format: small in footprint but capable and confident enough to leave the city behind. This compact high-rider arrives right in the middle of a societal and technological shift, one that signals how more Australians want to live: a little more consciously, a little more mobile, and deeply attached to the outdoors.
“We launched our first Cross Country car over 25 years ago, and this concept of durable and all-weather cars is core to the Volvo brand,” says Stephen Connor, managing director of Volvo Cars Australia. “In the country of our origin, the winters are harsh, and the summer is savoured. Whereas we in Australia get to enjoy the great outdoors all year round by getting out and exploring our amazing nature, and that is where the EX30 Cross Country delivers a fully rounded experience.”
Slotting into the EX30 range between the EX30 Single Motor Extended Range Ultra and the EX30 Twin Motor Performance Ultra, the Cross Country offers more, albeit light, off-road capabilities. Volvo likes to think of the EX30CC as “an experience, not just a car”, and that philosophy is built into the design. It takes the clean, minimalist Scandinavian lines of the EX30 – including the graphic ‘Thor’s hammer’ lights, calming Scandi hues and innovative sustainable materials – and adds subtle ruggedness: a higher ride height, darkened exterior details and skid plates, plus freshly tuned suspension for tougher roads and an all-terrain tyre package. A topographic artwork of the Scandinavian Mountains is etched into the front panel. Plus, you can’t miss the cool, sports-luxe roof racks that can carry anything from tents to surfboards.
The EX30 Cross Country is an indicator of where the Australian market, especially the younger buyer, is headed. There is a growing tribe of drivers who want capability, options and elegance without compromise. They want a car that’s at home in the city and ready to climb a dirt track on the weekend. They care about design and sustainability, but they also want to live and enjoy their cars beyond the daily commute. The EX30 Cross Country provides all this.
The fully electric powertrain offers up to 427km of range, all-wheel drive and the ability to fast-charge from 10-80 per cent in under half an hour. Inside, the design is clever and calming: speakers moved to a single soundbar to free up the doors for more storage, of which there is plenty, including removable bins that can double as camping accessories; and on the boot, a ‘Will it fit?’ guide helps to gauge exactly how much gear can be squeezed in. Plus, all the high-level advanced safety we’ve come to expect from Volvo, a wickedly good Harman Kardon premium sound system, an in-built Google system, including Maps, to make finding those hidden beaches and campsites (and charging sites along the way) a little easier; and a precondition feature that means you can pre-schedule the cooling and heating of the car while you’re away.
In a market that’s long equated size with strength, the EX30 Cross Country suggests a different kind of power: lite mobility, intention and the freedom to just go. And in a country of wide-open spaces, the future of adventure might not be bigger at all. It might, in fact, be smarter, quieter, friendlier and more chic.
The Volvo EX30 Cross Country is priced from $69,990 before on-road costs; volvocars.com.au
Related:
A journey through the Barossa with Volvo’s EX90, the all-electric SUV
