2026 Volvo EX30 Cross Country: Well-Suited for Canada
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Among the plethora of new adventure-oriented badges—which often add more rugged features to otherwise boring sport utility vehicles—are those with a genuine heritage. And Volvo's Cross Country badge has a well-established reputation in this regard. In addition to their distinctive aesthetic features, Cross Country models boast high ground clearance, underbody protection plates, and specific suspension calibration. These characteristics make them attractive choices for Canadians, particularly because they are well suited to our climate and roads. The small EX30 electric utility vehicle is the first EV at Volvo to earn the emblem, giving it all of the features listed above, plus a few bonus bits.
The Car Guide took the Cross Country version of the 2026 EX30 for a drive in Sweden last month. Here is our full report.
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Fun to Drive and Oh-So Powerful
Mechanically, the Cross Country version of the EX30 is available exclusively in a Twin Performance configuration, which includes two motors and all-wheel drive. Off the line, this configuration offers devilishly quick accelerations for the size of the vehicle, thanks to 422 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque that brilliantly handle the Cross Country’s 1,907 kg weight. With a rather short wheelbase and 19 mm higher ground clearance compared to the “normal” EX30, the Cross Country’s ride may seem bumpy at times. But its specific (softer) suspension calibration makes the ride less firm than on the base model, especially on rough pavement. The vehicle also offers a one-pedal driving function with two levels of braking energy recovery. This can, of course, be deactivated when driving on the highway.
The EX30 Cross Country is available with a proper set of off-road tires that allow the driver to venture off the pavement and potentially put the protective plates underneath to the test. However, our tester was fitted with a set of Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance road tires mounted on 19-inch wheels. In terms of efficiency, our energy consumption hovered between 17 and 18 kWh per 100 kilometres in combined city and highway driving, suggesting that with a conservative right foot, we could achieve a range of 400 kilometres. While low 400’s aren’t dazzling anymore in the world of EVs when talking range, this figure is still quite respectable considering the performance and the weight of the vehicle, and the fact that the manufacturer's EPA estimates are closer to 365 kilometres.
A Simple, Fully Digital Interior
Aesthetically, this EX30 follows the Cross Country playbook, with ample plastic cladding on the wheel arches, front and rear bumper. The fascia also features an embossed texture that depicts the topography of Sweden's highest peak, the Kebnekaise.
Although it appears tiny from the outside, the EX30's interior offers a respectable amount of passenger space thanks to its flat floor. While there isn't tons of storage space, the compartments that are available are well dispersed in the cabin. Seating is provided by comfortable recycled fabric that provides sufficient comfort for long journeys. Virtually all of the EX30 Cross Country's systems are controlled via the central screen. Although Volvo has equipped this 12.3-inch portrait-oriented unit with its latest software interface, it still seems to lack intuitiveness, particularly with its complex submenus and climate controls. Under the rear hatch, the EX30 Cross Country offers 400 litres of volume, which can be increased to 903 litres with the second-row seats folded down. This volume is certainly not its most impressive feature, but it should be underlined that the trunk opening makes the space particularly easy to access and organize.
With slightly higher ground clearance, a bolder look, and a softer suspension setup than the traditional EX30, this Cross Country variant seems (almost) tailor-made for tackling Canadian roads. It's hard to fault it in terms of performance and handling, two qualities that make it a pleasure to drive.
On the downside, its rather limited range and infotainment system interface could be improved. But based on its price range—which should be announced in the coming months—the EX30 Cross Country should be a popular variant. What's more, units destined for the Canadian market will no longer come from China, but from Belgium, in response to tariffs imposed by the Canadian government on electric vehicles assembled in China.
