Parked outside an Arctic cabin in the middle of a snow-covered Swedish landscape, the Volvo EX30 Cross Country looks like it can take on any environment.
You can’t blame the Swedish carmaker for using this picturesque scene. It really is aspirational. Some would say driving cross-country in an EV is also aspirational. But Volvo thinks differently, as we know. And it thinks its EX30 Cross Country deserves to wear the proud “Cross Country” moniker that was first launched in 1997.
Leaving your EX in the snow
“Designed to cope with the demanding Scandinavian climate, our Cross Country cars perform in a wide variety of road conditions – from muddy tracks and ankle-deep snow to highway driving – with the comfort and convenience elements that Volvo drivers have come to expect,” Volvo said when it was launched in February.
We’re keen to see how much more demanding the Scandinavian climate is compared to rush-hour on a potholed Joburg road, competing with road-rule-ignoring taxis when it eventually turns up locally, which is reportedly scheduled to take place in the third quarter of this year. Pricing, however, remains under wraps for the moment.
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The EX30 Cross Country is “a small SUV [that’s] perfect for the city,” say the proud parents. A fully electric all-wheel drive beast, its range is 425km and can be charged from 10% to 80% in 26 minutes.
Less than half an hour to get up to 70% charge is the kind of pit-stop we’re predicting (and ultimately longing for) when driving EVs across the country. You’ll prebook your slot at National Highway Garage 17 for a recharge, to buy some coffee and a sandwich, and sneak in a quick toilet break.
For the inevitable off-roading, it’s raised higher off the ground than the standard EX30, has bigger wheels, and you can get a spare tyre for – you guessed it – cross-countrying.
