Volvo EX30 Launches In Thailand With 3 Variants – Is Malaysia Next?

The new Volvo EX30 compact EV SUV made its regional debut in Thailand earlier today.

The new all-electric Volvo EX30 compact crossover SUV has made its ASEAN market debut today as it reportedly launches in Thailand. Folks in the kingdom north of our border sees the Swedish marque offer said EV SUV in three guises and, though orders are now open, deliveries there will start from Feb 2024 onwards.

A quick glance at the Volvo Thailand website sees the range starting with a base Core Single Motor Extended Range variant, followed by an Ultra Single Motor Extended Range guise above it, whilst an Ultra Twin Motor Performance flavour caps off the range.

The Swedish marque's smallest offering to date enters Thailand with three guises available. All are on pre-orders now with deliveries slated for Feb 2024 onwards.

As for price, they read at THB 1.59 million (approx. RM209,149) for the base model, THB1.79 million (approx. RM235,547) for the mid-spec single-motor guise mentioned, and THB1.89 million (approx. RM248,611) for the range-topping dual-motor Performance version.

Indeed, said figures are much lower compared the XC40 and C40 Recharge twins which, in Malaysia at least, commands RM278,888 and RM288,888 respectively. Expect Malaysian prices for the EX30 to be similarly lower than said 40-series models as how it is in Thailand.

For Thailand, Volvo has elected to field the EX30 with its NMC battery option with a 69 kWh (64 kWh useable) capacity. This also grants up to 480 KM in range (WLTP).

As noted prior, Volvo’s smallest SUV offering to date underpins the Geely SEA platform and, in Thailand at least, all three variants available harnesses the larger 69 kWh (64 kWh useable) nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery type instead of the LFP type option that's available.

Besides 11 kW AC, this battery type accepts rapid DC charging as high as 153 kW, the latter promising 10-80% re-charges in just 26.5 minutes whilst the former’s full-charge time take 7.5 hours. As for max range, both single-motor guises offer up to 480 KM (WLTP), whilst the Performance sees 460 KM (WLTP).

The peppiest of the trio harnesses a dual-motor, AWD setup with 422 HP and 543 NM and capable of despatching 0-100 KM/H in just 3.6 seconds.

On to outputs and performance, both the single-motor guises share the same 268 HP (200 kW) and 343 NM driving their rear wheels and enabling 0-100 KM/H in just 5.3 seconds and an electronically limited V-max of 180 KM/H.

As for the range-topping dual-motor Performance guise, the setup sees each motor powering each axle and all four wheels with 422 HP (315 kW) and a meatier 543 NM. This, in turn, sees 0-100 KM/H despatched in just 3.6 seconds whilst V-max is electronically capped at 180 KM/H here too.

Higher-end variants gets a host of premium kit such as dual-zone climate control, cabin ambient lighting, Harman Kardon premium audio suite, 360-degree parking camera, powered tailgate, and power-adjustable front seats.

In terms of kit, the two higher-end guises are distinguished by their adoption of 19-inch wheels, panoramic glass roof, powered tailgate, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, cabin ambient lighting, Harman Kardon premium audio suite 360-degree parking camera, plus front cross traffic alert and lane-change alert features.

The base model, on the other hand, makes do with smaller 18-inch wheels instead, single-zone climate control, and manual front seat adjustments. Common across all three though is the Android Automotive-powered and wireless Apple CarPlay-enabled 12.3-inch central toucschreen infotainment, as is an arsenal of semi-autonomous active driver assistance (ADAS) features.

Common across all three in this Android Automotive-powered and wireless Apple CarPlay-enabled 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment unit.

For Thai buyers, Volvo offers them the EX30 with a 3-year or 100,000 KM base vehicle warranty, a separate 8-year or 150,000 KM EV battery warranty, as well as a 1-year of 24-hour roadside assistance.

Following its entry into the booming Thai EV market space, perhaps we can expect a similar effort here in Malaysia soon. Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has reportedly confirmed that the EX30 will arrive first ahead of the larger new flagship EX90, and we can likely expect pre-order basis ahead of deliveries later.