Head-to-head
Volvo EX30 vs Volvo EX40
At $49,990 the Volvo EX30 undercuts the Volvo EX40 by $20,000 (29%) — but does the premium deliver enough of an edge to justify itself? Here's how the two compare on price, range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · SUV
Volvo EX30
Volvo's smallest SUV ever, and one of the fastest. The single-motor RWD variant does 0–100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and packs Volvo's safety reputation into a Geely-sourced sub-$60K package.
- From
- $49,990
- Range
- 480 km
- Battery
- 69 kWh
Option B · SUV
Volvo EX40
The rebadged XC40 Recharge — Volvo dropped the petrol versions for this generation and reframed the EV as the EX40. RWD single-motor for the long-range variant; AWD twin-motor for performance.
- From
- $69,990
- Range
- 532 km
- Battery
- 82 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the Volvo EX30 and Volvo EX40, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Range · advantage Volvo EX40
The Volvo EX40 goes 52 km further on a charge (532 vs 480 km WLTP).
- 2
Price · advantage Volvo EX30
The Volvo EX30 undercuts the Volvo EX40 by $20,000 (29%) on starting price.
- 3
Battery · advantage Volvo EX40
The Volvo EX40 carries a 13.0 kWh larger battery (82 vs 69 kWh).
- 4
DC charging · advantage Volvo EX40
The Volvo EX40 accepts 52 kW more DC peak charging (205 vs 153 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
- 5
Boot · advantage Volvo EX40
The Volvo EX40 swallows 134 L more cargo with the rear seats up (452 vs 318 L).
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the Volvo EX30 wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $20,000
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (5.7s vs 7.3s)
- ▸ Longer warranty (5 years)
Where the Volvo EX40 wins
- ▸ 52 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (205 kW vs 153 kW)
Volvo EX30
What we like
- ✓ Quick acceleration in single-motor RWD form
- ✓ Premium brand cachet at a real price
- ✓ Excellent standard safety equipment
What we don't
- ✕ All controls funnelled through the touchscreen
- ✕ Tight rear seat
- ✕ No driver instrument display
Volvo EX40
What we like
- ✓ 532 km WLTP range in single-motor RWD form
- ✓ Premium Volvo cabin and safety reputation
- ✓ Fast 205 kW DC charging peak
What we don't
- ✕ Three-year vehicle warranty is short for the price
- ✕ Battery warranty distance only 100,000 km
- ✕ Cabin styling unchanged from earlier XC40 Recharge
Frequently asked: Volvo EX30 vs Volvo EX40
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the Volvo EX30 or the Volvo EX40?
- The Volvo EX30 is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $49,990 versus $69,990 for the Volvo EX40, a $20,000 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The Volvo EX40 has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 532 km, 52 km further than the Volvo EX30's 480 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The Volvo EX40 accepts a peak DC charging rate of 205 kW versus 153 kW for the Volvo EX30. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Which is quicker off the line?
- The Volvo EX30 does 0–100 km/h in 5.7 seconds — 1.6 s quicker than the Volvo EX40's 7.3 s. EV acceleration figures hold up at speed better than equivalent petrol cars because electric motors deliver peak torque instantly.
- Is the Volvo EX30 better value than the Volvo EX40?
- On paper the Volvo EX30 is $20,000 cheaper, but the Volvo EX40 edges ahead on most other measurable specs. Whether the saving justifies the gap depends on which features matter most to you, and how much weight you give to brand and dealer factors.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
Volvo EX30
if…
- ✓ you want to save $20,000 on the sticker
- ✓ you want quicker acceleration off the line
- ✓ peace-of-mind warranty matters (2 more years of cover)
Choose the
Volvo EX40
if…
- ✓ maximum range matters (52 km further per charge)
- ✓ you regularly do long road trips (faster DC peak)
- ✓ you regularly load it up (134 L more boot)
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.