Volvo EX30 Cross Country Brings a Bit of Toughness to the Compact Electric Vehicle | Carscoops

      Volvo has introduced its Cross Country label to the compact EX30 electric SUV.

      This off-road-inspired variant features increased ground clearance and protective skid plates.

      Cross Country options include a roof basket and sturdier all-terrain tires.

      Over twenty-five years ago, Volvo's Cross Country badge helped it connect models like the V70 with the SUVs it didn't offer. Now, with the EX30, Volvo integrates an SUV with the Cross Country label, adding a bit more flair to its smallest electric vehicle.

      Volvo does not claim that the new EX30 revolutionizes off-road vehicles. Most buyers will likely choose the Cross Country for its rugged appearance, which is significantly more robust than the standard SUV. It includes small black plastic wheel arch extensions, a black panel on the rear, and another one at the front showcasing a relief map of Sweden’s Kebnekaise mountains. The C-pillar features a Cross Country badge instead of the typical EX30 emblem.

      While this new variant primarily aims to stand out in urban settings, it still provides some tangible enhancements. The vehicle offers an undisclosed increase in ground clearance, protective skid plates underneath, and the standard 19-inch wheels can be replaced with 18-inch wheels fitted with off-road tires if the ‘Cross Country Experience’ package is chosen.

      Additional features in this package include front and rear mud flaps, black load carriers, and a stylish roof basket that will likely reduce the claimed 265 miles (427 km) range from its 69 kWh battery. This figure has already been adjusted from the previous 280 miles (450 km), and there is also a performance trade-off.

      At launch, the sole powertrain available is the EX30's highest-performing configuration, a 422 hp (428 PS / 315 kW) dual-motor setup. Volvo states it can reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.7 seconds, which is a tenth of a second slower than the same motor layout in the non-Cross Country version.

      Volvo hasn’t excluded the possibility of expanding the Cross Country motor offerings in the future, so it's conceivable that a model with the single 272 hp (275 PS / 200 kW) electric motor, available to other EX30 customers, might be offered. However, the absence of all-wheel drive would detract from the legitimacy of the Cross Country concept.

      The Cross Country is exclusively available in the EX30's highest Ultra trim, which includes features such as a panoramic roof, Park Pilot assistance, and a 360-degree camera. Currently, this trim costs £42,350 in the UK and $47,895 in the US, with the Cross Country off-road package expected to add at least an additional £1,000.