why I changed my electric car

After driving a Tesla Model 3 for several tens of thousands of kilometers, I decided to move on. I set my sights on a Chinese-Swedish electric car, the Volvo EX30.

In 2020, after having my Peugeot 5008 stolen, I decided to take the plunge and go electric.

At the time, the Tesla Model 3 was the only decent electric option, and although I wasn’t a fan of its size and ergonomics, I was won over by its driving pleasure and infotainment, without forget the simplicity of use.

After driving a Tesla Model 3 for several tens of thousands of kilometers, I decided to move on. Not that the Californian electric sedan no longer suited me, far from it, but rather because I needed a car more suited to my current needs: a compact SUV, maneuverable in town and equipped with a tailgate.

This is how I set my sights on the Volvo EX30, the new addition to the Swedish manufacturer’s electric range.

9 /10

On paper, the Volvo EX30 had everything to please me: an efficient electrical architecture, satisfactory range and charging speed, and a modern and connected infotainment system.

And after having covered almost 2000 kilometers in three weeks, I can tell you that I am not disappointed. The Volvo EX30 is a compact, fun-to-drive electric car that offers high-level performance and comfort.

What I like about the Volvo EX30

• An efficient electrical architecture: the Volvo EX30 is based on the CMA platform of the Geely group, the same as that used by the Polestar 2. This electrical architecture offers relative good energy efficiency, with a very decent autonomy, and a charging speed with a nice curve.

• The Volvo EX30 is a compact SUV with an elegant and refined design, typical of the Swedish brand. The lines are fluid and the details are neat, like the front lights in the shape of Thor’s hammer or the rims. The interior is just as successful, with a minimalist dashboard and quality materials and well laid out.
• Volvo took a lot of inspiration from Tesla, so the transition from a Tesla to a Volvo EX30 is very smooth, the controls are roughly the same, located in the same place, no change of scenery.

• A powerful autonomous driving system, with Pilot Assist as good as Tesla’s, and without phantom braking.
• A quality Harman Kardon soundbar on the Plus and Ultra finishes, offering a good sound envelope, the acoustics are top notch.

• The Volvo EX30 is equipped with the Google Automotive infotainment system (formerly Android Automotive), which offers an intuitive, neat and customizable interface. We find all the applications useful on a daily basis, such as Google Maps, Spotify or even Waze. The system will soon be compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and can be updated remotely via the 4G and 5G network.

• The vehicle is very maneuverable in town, thanks to its precise steering and reduced turning radius. On the road, the electric SUV is dynamic and agile, with impressive acceleration, and above all a thunderous recovery. Also note that the suspension is well calibrated.
• Finally… finally a real voice assistant! Google Assistant is efficient, fast and accurate. Nothing to do with what Tesla offers.
• It is impossible to talk about Tesla without mentioning its iconic founder, Elon Musk. While I recognize the genius of Elon Musk and his role in the development of the electric car, I do not agree with some of his positions and behaviors. And I’m not the only one to think so.
• Finally, I appreciate not having a shared car, which we don’t encounter on every street corner. We see too many Teslas.

What I regret about the Volvo EX30

• The Volvo EX30 is a recent vehicle, and this is reflected in certain details. I encountered some software bugs, such as settings that did not save, touch screen crashes or connection problems to the 4G network. Volvo has promised a patch update soon, but in the meantime it can be frustrating.
• Unlike the Tesla Model 3, the panoramic roof is not standard on the Volvo EX30. This is an option, which is a shame for a vehicle in this range. We had become accustomed to this panoramic roof which brings a lot of light into the cabin.
• Another disappointment: the smartphone key, which allows you to unlock and start the vehicle without a physical key, is not yet available on the Volvo EX30. You therefore have to make do with a key or a card, which is a little disappointing for a connected electric vehicle.
• The Volvo EX30 does not have a dog mode, which allows you to regulate the temperature inside the vehicle when you temporarily leave your pooches inside. Likewise, the sentinel mode, which monitors the surroundings of the vehicle when it is parked, is absent. However, these two features are very useful and appreciated on the Tesla Model 3.
• A frunk too small: the Volvo EX30 does have a front trunk, but it is very small and impractical. We have the impression that the engineers simply responded to specifications without thinking about the real interest of this functionality.

• The front passenger lacks room for his knees, even though no glove box is placed there (it is in the center).

• The Volvo EX30 beeps a little too frequently for my liking, especially when you exceed the authorized speed or look off the road. These alerts are certainly useful for security, they respond to new regulations, but they can quickly become annoying.
• Electric or regenerative braking is less strong than that offered by Tesla, one-pedal driving is possible on the EX30, but less fluid than on a Tesla.
• Although the interior of the Volvo EX30 is of good quality overall, some materials are a little cheap, such as recycled plastic. This is unfortunately hollow and has a grainy texture, which gives an impression of lightness and fragility.
• The controls on the steering wheel are unbearable to use, fortunately the voice assistant is effective. Whether it’s the physical or tactile buttons, it’s simple: one out of three times, it doesn’t work.

So, regret having sold my Tesla Model 3?

Despite these weak points, I do not regret having sold my Tesla Model 3 to upgrade to the Volvo EX30. This electric SUV meets my current needs, with sufficient autonomy for my daily journeys and pleasant driving in town and on the road.

In addition, the elegant design and modern infotainment are undeniable assets. I just hope that Volvo fixes the software bugs quickly and soon offers the smartphone key as well as dog mode and CarPlay. In the meantime, I’m taking full advantage of my new electric toy!

Note that the Volvo EX30 is no longer eligible for the ecological bonus this year, but it will be next year. This makes moving from a Model 3 to the EX30 less interesting.

For any questions, remember to consult this Facebook group where I spend time from time to time. I also advise you to read the positive and negative feedback from my colleague Maxime, on Numerama Vroom.