Volvo’s new electric baby will get an off-road model complete with underbody skid plates, the company has announced.
About the EX30
This week, Volvo raised the curtain on an impressive-looking subcompact electric SUV, the 2025 EX30. With a starting price of $34,950, it will probably be the least-expensive model in Volvo’s 2025 lineup. It boasts a range of up to 275 miles and powertrain options of 268 or 422 horsepower.
Standout features include a soundbar-style sound system and a driver monitoring system that scans the driver’s face 13 times per second to ensure they’re alert and paying attention.
EX30 Cross Country Adds Toughness
It will also get an off-road variant. The EX30 Cross Country, Volvo says, will feature “more ground clearance, 19-inch black wheels and the option of 18-inch wheels with bespoke tires.” Scratch-resistant black plastic body cladding on the fenders and “skidplates on the front, rear and side” should protect it from damage on the trail.
Press photos of the model include a substantial roof rack, but Volvo’s press materials don’t mention it, so we don’t know if that will be an option for buyers.
Volvo hasn’t explained the “bespoke tires,” but we think we know what they have in mind. Electric vehicles (EVs) often have low-rolling-resistance tires meant to increase range. Off-roaders have softer all-terrain tires meant to take a beating. Balancing those two factors is a new challenge for the tire industry. Pirelli developed a special set called Scorpions for the Rivian R1T electric truck and R1S electric SUV. We wouldn’t be surprised if Volvo has engaged a tiremaker for something similar.
Likely the Cheapest Electric Off-Roader at Launch
Pricing is a mystery for now. There aren’t many off-road EVs on the market yet. Electric vehicles promise a unique wilderness experience — owners of Rivian’s off-roaders say the near-silent operation doesn’t scare off wildlife. But the lack of chargers at most trailheads has kept them rare.
The few for sale tend to be high-end models like the GMC Hummer (starting at over $80,000) and the R1S ($78,000). Jeep has its own off-road EV coming, the 2024 Recon, with a price we expect to be in the low $60,000 range. The EX30 Cross Country isn’t likely to be priced that high. A starting price in the mid-$40,000 range seems more likely.
