07-07-2025
Volvo EX30 Cross Country review: what exactly is the point of this £47k, 422bhp crossover? Reviews 2025
Wait, what am I looking at here?
It's the Volvo EX30 of course, although while the standard car straddles a fine line between hatchback and crossover, this particular iteration wants to be a fully grown-up, mud-plugging SUV. Well, kinda.
You see, this is the EX30 Cross Country, which follows in the footsteps of many larger Volvos in getting the jacked-up off-roady treatment. And yes, we loved the old Cross Country estates too, so we're hoping this car will have inherited some rufty-tufty Swedish charm.
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How is it different from the standard car?
Well, the first thing you'll notice is that it's taller. The CC rides 19mm higher with 12mm of that thanks to chassis alterations. The extra 7mm comes courtesy of chunky tyres, with 19in wheels and summer tyres as standard, or the option of 18in wheels with chunky off-road rubber.
You can only have the Cross Country with the EX30's twin motor setup as that means you get all-wheel drive (much as we'd like to see a rear-wheel drive, single motor version that could do big gravel skids). The result of this top-spec powertrain though is a rather ludicrous 422bhp and 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds.
The CC also adds front and rear skidplates and the obligatory black plastic wheelarch extensions. The EX30's face and bum are both adorned with some extra plastic too, with the mask at the front featuring the topography of the Kebnekaise mountain range in Arctic Sweden. How very rugged. How much will it cost me?
Ah, well… much like the suspension, the Cross Country has also had its price jacked-up. There's no easy way of saying this, but it starts at £47,060. Good lord.
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Standard EX30 prices actually kick off down at £33,060 for the single motor, and even if you wanted this same spec and powertrain it'd be £44,860 without the Cross Country bits. You're paying a fairly hefty premium, then.
So, should I spend the extra £2k+?
Well, on the road the Cross Country's suspension changes have certainly helped the ride. Where the standard car can be a little firm and fidgety, the CC has had its springs and dampers adjusted to be better suited to rough roads. Plenty of those in the UK.
Volvo bosses describe it as being 'more mature' and 'a little bit calmer', but it still controls its weight well over bumps and crests. Still corners fairly flat, too, although there's not much feel or feedback from the steering.
Unfortunately, there does seem to be a fair bit of road and wind noise transmitted into the cabin too, even on the summer tyres, and there really is no need for it to be this fast. This is a Cross Country with a sport mode. With instant torque its overtaking ability is mightily impressive, but it doesn't really fit with the character of a Cross Country.
Top Gear
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