2026 Volvo EX30 Cross Country First Drive Review: Better Off Butch

• The Volvo EX30 is the brand's first SUV — and EV — to get the Cross Country treatment.
• Changes include a 0.7-inch higher ride height, purposeful gray cladding and optional all-terrain tires.
• The Cross Country updo only enhances the EX30's charm.

EX30 Cross Country: The spotter's guide

The telltale differentiators that set the Cross Country apart from other EX30s are the gray panels that adorn the front and rear of the lil' crossover. They match the gray cladding found on the wheel arches and look great along with the ever-so-slightly resculpted bumpers. That rad little roof basket? It's an optional accessory.

Chassis changes include dampers that are a wee bit softer — by 8% up front and 13% at the rear — for even more on-road comfort and an 0.7-inch hike in ground clearance, for 7.7 inches total. New antiroll bars and tweaked steering software round out the updates, though neither of these tweaks really alters the EX30's overall demeanor — they're simply there to account for the updated chassis, wheels and tires.

What's under the hood?

A tiny frunk, that's what. But seriously, the EX30 Cross Country is electric, so lifting its hood just reveals a small cubby large enough for a backpack or some shopping bags.

As for what powers the Cross Country, it's the same dual-motor electric setup as the standard EX30, motivated by a 69-kWh battery (65 kWh usable). Total output is a healthy 422 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque, which is enough to get the Cross Country from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, according to Volvo. That's pretty stinkin' quick. Don't forget, when we tested the EX30 in our One-Year Road Test fleet, it hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, matching the time of a base Porsche 911.

Official EPA range and efficiency estimates are TBD, but expect the Cross Country's added ride height and unique wheel/tire setup to account for a small dip in both specs. The standard twin-motor EX30 on 19-inch wheels has a 253-mile EPA rating, and our one-year test car — which has 20-inch wheels and a 250-mile rating — went 256 miles on the Edmunds EV Range Test. I bet the Cross Country will end up somewhere in the 240- to 245-mile range. At a maximum charging capability of 153 kW, the Cross Country can theoretically replenish its battery from 10% to 80% in just under half an hour.

Fun in the snow

You don't have to live in the Swedish Lapland to enjoy the EX30 Cross Country, but I can confirm this car works a treat in such conditions. Earlier this year, I drove Volvo's new SUV on a handling course carved out atop a frozen lake near Luleå, Sweden, and the EX30 was eager to be flicked sideways, even with my test car's studded Michelin X-Ice winter tires clawing into the ice for traction. I actually found it somewhat tough to get the EX30 to misbehave because of those tires, even on a surface of packed snow and ice. The SUV's stability control can't be completely disabled, but with it partially off, I could Scandi-flick to my heart's content. It was super easy to dial in some countersteer and modulate the power delivery to catch my slide.

More comfortable in the real world

Fast-forward a few months, and I'm once again testing the EX30 Cross Country in Sweden, though now I'm enjoying warmer temperatures and seemingly endless hours of daylight. As spectacular as Scandinavia is in the winter, its summer months are somehow even more beautiful.

The EX30 Cross Country rides on 19-inch wheels and all-season tires, which work well with the slightly softer damper tuning. The standard EX30 can be a little stiff, so I definitely prefer the cushier Cross Country. Bonus: The softer springs don't result in sloppier handling characteristics; the EX30 stays flat while cornering, and there's very little nosedive if you need to slam the brakes and come to a stop in a hurry.

Want a little more Cross Country cred? Smaller 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires are available in the U.S., and honestly, that's the way I'd go. Not only do they enhance the Cross Country's butch vibe, but the AT tires' taller sidewalls further improve the EX30's ride quality. Win-win.

Arriving later this year

The EX30 Cross Country enters Volvo's lineup for the 2026 model year, meaning it'll hit U.S. showrooms in late 2025. Because it builds off the dual-motor Ultra spec, expect the Cross Country to come in somewhere around the $50,000 mark, loaded up with all the bells and whistles, including Volvo's Google-based infotainment system with helpful over-the-air update functionality, funky interior textiles and some clever interior storage solutions.

Cross Country-ifying the EX30 hasn't weakened this plucky little EV's good vibes, and in many ways, the added tiny-tough cute factor actually gives it more appeal. The only real travesty is that you won't be able to order it in the standard EX30's Moss Yellow. The Swedish Lapland is many lovely things, but I suppose colorful isn't one of them.