The first thing that strikes me when Volvo presents the latest thing they have in their "box" filled with car models is a Cross Country version of the small electric SUV model EX30. The Cross Country addition is actually Volvo's 25th anniversary this year. But initially, it was regular Volvo models that were given a slightly more rugged look and made them a little more fragile for worse roads outside the city. But giving an SUV the Cross country addition is new and something Volvo is the first to do. But that's when I wonder a little and the reason for the preamble of this article. Because why make a Cross Country version of an SUV? Isn't an SUV, a city jeep, already just a type of Cross Country?

The event that Volvo invites me to is not only a presentation of the EX30 Cross Country, which when the presentation is made is still secret. It is also an event that presents a winter cabin specially built for this particular event. The cabin is located about an hour north of the city of Luleå in northern Sweden. Those of you who have followed me here on carscollection.com may have seen another article with a similar theme. Back then, the concept was called Volvo get away lodge, that time in co-operation with Tablet Hotels. You can read the article here. Now they have taken it all a step further and they have built a whole house, which they had not done in Åre but just decorated an existing house. If you want to rent the cottage outside Luleå, it can of course be done through Landfolk. The cottage is available now for rent but for a limited time, from 21 February to 21 March 2025 and as I said through Country people, known for its hand-picked holiday homes in Scandinavia and southern Europe, which also includes a Volvo car. So if you have a desire to wake up with a view of a frozen lake and fir trees covered in untouched snow, this is probably a perfect opportunity. I was of course inside the cabin and was very impressed by the atmosphere they created. Peaceful and quiet and perfect for spending time with loved ones or finding peace and energy to accomplish something important and meaningful. The difference with this trip and the Volvo get away lodge in Åre was that I got to stay one night in the house in Åre. Then I could bring a woman I was with at the time who was there with me. But also invite a friend who lives in Åre and who came and brought freshly caught fish that we cooked for a very cosy dinner. Now we were not offered an overnight stay, but only a presentation of the house, EX30 Cross Country and the concept.

But let's focus on the car that this event was about. A small and, for its size, very practical electric car. In terms of size, it's the same size as its petrol-powered sibling, the XC30. I haven't written about the XC30, but its bigger, petrol-powered sibling XC40 press trip I was invited to, held in sunny Barcelona. So when Volvo show their new models it's almost with such pomp and circumstance that you worry that they don't trust the cars to be impressive enough for journalists to write about? The EX30 Cross Country is definitely good enough to write about even if there hadn't been a special house built for the presentation. 

To experience the EX30 Cross Country properly, the test drive had been put on an ice and off-road track a bit away from the house. For the journey there and to and from the airport in Luleå, the journey went in the new EX90. An article about the EX90 will come later here but now all the focus on the smaller and brand new sibling EX30 Cross Country! When it comes to Volvo, driving safety is something that is almost at the top of the list. One thing that has not changed with the EX30 Cross Country. But when it comes to driving on an ice rink, as a relatively experienced driver, I am relatively used to the fact that you can turn off all the safety systems on the car to be able to "play" on the ice and skid with the car. This is something that is actually not possible to do completely on the new Volvo cars. The instructor Niclas Lindberg, who incidentally was an instructor at Rajamäki Racing when I test drove Formula 1 at the Hungaroring in Hungary, was in front of me on the ice track in a Volvo. Niclas could put up wide and nice racks in the curves. When I ask via the radio that was in the car how he manages to get such racks, I get the answer back, -read what it says on the back of my car. There it said XC60, and on the XC60 in particular, you could disconnect the anti-slip system so that the car's system did not go in and prevent you as a driver when it feels that it goes "too wide". But if we then imagine a situation where you come and then it has suddenly frustrated and the car starts to go sideways. Then it will probably not go to h....te if you are sitting in an EX30 Cross Country, the car will take over and save you from the situation. Then how fun it is not to be able to disengage the system completely is a completely different question ...

To emphasise that the EX30 Cross Country belongs in nature, the front panel has been cleverly decorated with the topography of the Kebnekaise massif in northern Sweden. In addition to being a bold pattern, it is also a splendour in the event of any damage that may occur as it is not so clearly visible on the already patterned surface. In addition to the heavier front and rear protection, there are also wheel arch extensions that give that rugged Cross Country look and emphasise that this car is ready to venture into the wilderness and out of town. 

The EX30 Cross Country is fully electric, with a range of up to 425 km. You can charge from 10-80 per cent in as little as 26 minutes, which is very good. So the Volvo EX30 Cross Country will take you from the city to the countryside in a smooth and nature-friendly way and that's good!

The Volvo EX30 Cross Country is built for the small family. The EX30 Cross Country has many clever storage spaces inside the car and one in the rear centre console that is removable and washable, so it can double as a waste bin. Clever! As a mapping system, the EX30 Cross Country has Google Maps built in so you'll never get lost. As mentioned earlier in this article, safety is a very important thing in Volvo's DNA. The EX30 Cross Country is equipped with a brake and steering assist system to help you avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, while a driver monitoring sensor gives you a reminder if it seems like you're distracted or tired.  

For the small family or the person who is not in need of a large and spacious car but who is looking for a car that is a little more robust and durable than a regular version. Then I can really recommend the new Volvo EX30 Cross Country. It is versatile and safe but not fragile. Perfect for those who want to spend their time thinking about other things and outside the car. 

Volvo EX30 Cross Country

Price: From SEK 637,000 for a Twin Ultra, which is the spec that will first be offered to Swedish customers. 

Motor: 2 electric motors, one front (115) and one rear (200), total 315 (kW), 543 Nm

Horsepower: 428 kW

Gearbox: Automatic gearbox, four-wheel drive

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h: 3.7 seconds

Top speed: 180 km/h.  

Range: 425 km

Dimensions: 4233 mm length x 2040 mm width x 1567 mm height