Volvo Car South Africa brings the spirit of adventure into the electric era with the new EX30 Cross Country
Rugged, refined, and ready for South African Roads, the Volvo EX30 Cross Country expands Volvo’s electric range with capability, style, and a legacy of adventure.
Volvo Car South Africa’s EX30 lineup is expanding with the local debut of the new EX30 Cross Country, a rugged, compact electric SUV designed for those who crave adventure without compromising on sustainability or style. Purpose-built for active lifestyles, the EX30 Cross Country is poised to broaden the appeal of Volvo’s fully electric range, particularly in South Africa, where exploration is an integral part of everyday life.
Available exclusively in high-specification Ultra trim, the EX30 Cross Country is powered by Volvo’s Twin Motor Performance electric drivetrain, delivering the confidence, refinement and rapid acceleration expected from a premium electric SUV. With 315 kW and 543 N.m on tap, the EX30 Cross Country sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds, while the 180 km/h top speed reinforces the brand’s commitment to safety..
Equipped with a single-speed transmission and all-wheel drive, the EX30 Cross Country offers exceptional grip and control in all conditions - whether navigating icy Scandinavian roads or tackling gravel and dust en route to the Sani Pass. Built on the same award-winning SEA2 platform as the urban-focused EX30, the Cross Country variant retains the agile handling, ride comfort, and overall refinement that have made the original model a sales success.
Powering the EX30 Cross Country is a 69-kWh battery pack, delivering an electric range of up to 427 km (on the WLTP cycle). With an energy consumption figure of just 18.7 kWh/100 km, the rugged crossover combines efficiency with practicality. When using a compatible fast charger, the battery can be recharged from 10% to 80% in as little as 26 minutes — ideal for those who prefer to spend more time exploring and less time waiting.
Like the flagship EX30, the all-wheel drive Cross Country is powered by two electric motors — one each at the front and rear wheels — for peak outputs of 315kW and 543Nm. The 3.7 second 0-100km/h time is one-tenth slower than the EX30, and the car has the 180km/h top speed mandated across the whole Volvo range.
The 69kWh battery pack delivers a claimed electric range of up to 427km. On a fast charger the battery can be recharged from 10% to 80% in as little as 26 minutes, says Volvo.
The most adventurous EX30 yet
The Volvo EX30 Cross Country brings a bold new design language to the brand’s all-electric compact SUV. With its rugged styling and purposeful detailing, the latest Cross Country model builds on Volvo’s heritage of adventure-ready design.
Key to its visual transformation is a raised ride height, giving the EX30 Cross Country a more commanding and aggressive presence. The newcomer features exclusive 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels finished in Matte Graphite, complemented by distinctive Matte Black aero inserts. Standard LED headlights (with active high beam) are part of the package.
Further design touches set the Cross Country apart from its road-biased sibling. The front shield and boot lid are finished in a darker tone, while the front fascia features unique artwork inspired by Sweden’s Kebnekaise mountain range.
Additional elements, such as pronounced skid plates and wider wheel arch extensions, give the EX30 Cross Country a more muscular and chiselled appearance, reinforcing its off-road intent. The more rugged variant has an impressive ground clearance of 190 mm (13 mm higher than the EX30), making it more practical for gravel roads and muddy tracks.
Customers will be able to choose from five exterior paint finishes, namely Sand Dune, Cloud Blue, Crystal White, Onyx Black, and Vapour Grey.
“The EX30 Cross Country marks a new chapter for Volvo in South Africa - one that brings our Cross Country legacy into the electric era,”
said Grant Locke, Managing Director of Volvo Car South Africa.
“Models like the XC70 and V90 Cross Country have set the tone for what a capable, confident Volvo should feel like off the beaten track. With the EX30 Cross Country, we’re building on that foundation, but in a way that reflects where the world and our brand are going.”
A refined interior crafted for everyday ease
Like the EX30 on which it is based, the Cross Country variant features a sophisticated, minimalist interior where form meets function. As the range-topping Ultra model, it comes generously equipped with a heated steering wheel and front seats, a fixed panoramic sunroof, two-zone climate control, and power-adjustable front seats. For entertainment, occupants enjoy a crisp, immersive experience through a nine-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system. The 12.3-inch central touchscreen integrates most vehicle controls and settings. It supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with built-in Google services such as Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play for seamless smartphone connectivity.
The EX30 Cross Country is a practical SUV, offering 400 litres of cargo space behind the second row — ample for weekly groceries or spontaneous weekend getaways. For larger loads, the second row features a 60:40 split-fold design, expanding cargo capacity to [insert total litres] litres, making it ideal for items such as surfboards or other sporting gear. The front storage compartment adds [insert litres] litres of space for smaller essentials. A range of accessories, including mudflaps and roof racks, will also be available through Volvo retailers to further enhance the vehicle’s versatility.
Customers can choose from a selection of interior finishes, each reflecting the youthful, refined, and adventurous character of the EX30 Cross Country. Options include Pine – a calming green inspired by Scandinavia’s forests – and Indigo, a deep, understated blue influenced by the northern light sky. In line with Volvo’s commitment to sustainability, the cabin has been thoughtfully designed using recycled and renewable materials throughout. In the Pine interior, for example, the seats feature a wool blend textile made from 30% responsibly sourced wool and 70% recycled polyester, while the cushions and piping are finished in 100% recycled polyester.
Safety that looks after everyone on the road
As expected from Volvo, the EX30 Cross Country comes equipped with an extensive suite of advanced safety and driver assistance technologies — all included as standard in the high-specification Ultra trim. These systems are designed to support the driver across a wide range of scenarios, enhancing safety in both urban and off-road environments.
Standard features include:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Post Impact Braking
- Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Autobrake
- Front Cross-Traffic Alert
- Pilot Assist with Steering Support
- Evasive Manoeuvre Assist
- Road Sign Information
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Lane Departure Warning
- Park Pilot Assist
- Oncoming Mitigation by Braking
- Oncoming Lane Mitigation
- Lane Keeping Aid with BLIS (Blind Spot Information System)
- 360-Degree Park Assist Camera
- Park Assist (Front and Rear)
- Hill Start Assist
- Hill Descent Control
- Intersection Autobrake
- Intelligent Speed Assist
In addition, the EX30 Cross Country features a comprehensive set of passive safety measures, including driver and dual-stage passenger airbags, side curtain airbags, an inner-side airbag for the driver seat, and ISOFIX child seat attachments.
The EX30 Cross Country will be available at dealerships this month, with a price tag of R1,165,000. This includes a three-year/60,000 km maintenance plan, a five-year/100,000 km warranty, an eight-year battery warranty, and five years of unlimited roadside assistance. Additionally, EX30 Cross Country owners will receive two years of free public charging, a GridCars wallbox with installation, and 10 GB of Vodacom data per month for three years.
The charging and range figures are preliminary and derived from estimates and calculations performed by Volvo Cars for the Volvo EX30 Cross Country. These outcomes are not guaranteed.
