The 10 best Volvo EX30 alternatives in 2024

If you’re after a great-value electric car, the Volvo EX30 is hard to beat. It’s comfortable, stylish and packed with safety kit, just some of the reasons it was the Carwow Car Of The Year for 2024.

That said, the EX30 may not be to everyone’s taste. Here are 10 alternatives to think about.

The best Volvo EX30 alternatives are:

1. Smart #1
2. Hyundai Kona Electric
3. MG4
4. Volvo EX40
5. Cupra Born
6. Peugeot E-2008
7. Kia Niro EV
8. Renault Megane E-Tech
9. Nissan Ariya
10. BYD Dolphin

1) Smart #1

This is an obvious one, because the Smart #1 shares a lot of parts with the Volvo EX30 under the skin. It has a more stylish interior than its Swedish counterpart though, and the rear seats are more spacious.

The Volvo does have a bigger boot though, and the Smart isn’t much fun to drive on a twisty road. That said, you can get a rapid Brabus version with 428hp if you want thrills in a straight line.

2) Hyundai Kona Electric

The Hyundai Kona Electric is a great all-rounder, with its most notable selling point being the impressive range. It’ll do up to 319 miles on a charge, almost 25 miles more than the EX30 can manage.

The Kona is also a lot more spacious than the Volvo, with 66 litres more boot space and a good amount more rear legroom. The exterior design may be a bit polarising, but it makes up for this by being well-equipped and easy to drive.

3) MG4

If value-for-money is priority number one, the MG4 is a car you can’t ignore. It manages to be very inexpensive, several thousand pounds cheaper than the EX30, while still offering all the standard kit you’ll ever want and decent range.

The infotainment system can’t hold a candle to the Volvo’s though because it’s a faff to use, and it’s not as quiet on the move. On a more positive note, the MG4 is actually quite good fun to drive for an EV when the road gets twisty.

4) Volvo EX40

Do you like the look of the Volvo EX30, but want more interior space? Well why not look at the Volvo EX40? An entry-level model isn’t far off the price of a range-topping EX30, but it offers a bit more practicality.

Some parts of the EX40 are starting to show their age, such as the fiddly infotainment system, but the overall design is still looking modern and fresh, and it has all the same safety kit as the smaller car as well.

5) Cupra Born

Let’s say it’s time to chop in your hot hatch for a sensible EV, but you still want something which can put a smile on your face. Enter, the Cupra Born. It may share a lot of parts under the skin with the Volkswagen ID3, but it feels a lot sharper to drive than that car.

The infotainment isn’t the best, but at least all the latest tech is present and correct. It also looks great, offers decent range and there are some great lease deals out there on a Born as well.

6) Peugeot E-2008

The Peugeot E-2008 can easily match the Volvo EX30 on the style front, especially after its mid-life facelift. It not only looks great on the outside, it also has one of the most contemporary interiors of any small SUV on the market.

It doesn’t have the best range of any EV, and it has pretty tight rear seats, but at least the E-2008 is comfortable to drive and packed with tech.

7) Kia Niro EV

The Kia Niro EV is a no-fuss electric SUV which is comfortable, quiet and practical. Not only is it relaxing to drive, it’s also packed with safety kit and you get decent range.

It’s not the most exciting choice, but you do get a reassuring seven-year warranty and it’s easy to live with day-to-day.

8) Renault Megane E-Tech

Looking for something with a bit of Parisian flair? The Renault Megane E-Tech has you covered. The chic styling is complimented with a funky interior, and you get a Google-based infotainment system, just like the Volvo EX30’s.

That stylish bodywork does compromise interior space, with the boot and rear headroom suffering in particular, and visibility isn’t the best either. At least you get plenty of driver assistance tech to help make up for this.

9) Nissan Ariya

If you’re looking for a posh electric SUV with loads of kit, the Nissan Aryia is for you. It has a lovely interior, a stylish exterior and all the toys you could ever want.

Some of that tech is a bit fiddly to use, and the driving range is nothing to shout about, but you get much more interior space than the Volvo EX30 and it’s comfortable to drive.

10) BYD Dolphin

Let’s finish off with something a bit left-field. The BYD Dolphin is a newcomer to the EV market, and it’s already making a strong case for itself. It’s pretty cheap, but still has loads of tech and a spacious interior.

The cabin quality is a bit hit and miss, and you have to go for the range-topping model if you want the larger battery with more range. This is pretty easy to overlook at this price, especially seeing as it drives well.

Volvo EX30 FAQs

Is the Volvo EX30 a hybrid?

No, the Volvo EX30 is only available as an electric car. If you’re after a hybrid Volvo SUV, check out the XC40.

How long is the wait for a Volvo EX30?

You can have a Volvo EX30 parked on your driveway in as little as four weeks when you buy through Carwow, with plenty of cars in stock and ready to go.

Is the Volvo EX30 too small?

This will depend on your own situation, but one of the only criticisms we can level at the EX30 is the tight rear seats. Kids will be fine, but if you carry adults in the back on a regular basis you may want to step up to the Volvo EX40. The EX30’s boot is a decent size though.

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