Volvo brings entry-level EX30 SUV to Korea

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Volvo brings entry-level EX30 SUV to Korea

Published: 28 Nov. 2023, 15:18

SARAH CHEA
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T. Jon Mayer, left, head of exterior design of Volvo Cars, and Lee Yoon-mo, CEO of Volvo Car Korea, pose with the new EX30 at a media event Tuesday held in central Seoul. [VOLVO CAR KOREA]

Volvo Cars introduced its smallest fully electric EX30 SUV for the Korean market Tuesday with a price tag eligible for the full government EV subsidy.

The five-seater SUV is the brand’s first entry-level EV line.

“The Volvo EX30 is designed to have the smallest carbon footprint of any Volvo Car to date,” said Joakim Hermansson, head of vehicle product at Volvo Cars, during a media launch event held Tuesday in central Seoul. “It will be the cornerstone of Volvo’s electrification growth ambitions.”

Exterior-wise, the EX30 includes the signature elements that other Volvo vehicles have. The front is minimalistic with a closed grille, featuring LED headlights in the shape of Thor's hammer. The taillights wrap around the tailgate and part of the C-pillar.

The interior of the EX30 [VOLVO CARS KOREA]

TMAP service in the EX30 [VOLVO CARS KOREA]

It offers new assists, including a parking assistant, a door-opening alert, and a driver alert system, along with Volvo SUV staples like Pilot Assist, which provides help with steering and control and a 360-degree camera system.

Powered by a 69 kilowatt-hour battery, the SUV can travel 475 kilometers (295 miles) on a single charge, according to Europe's Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure standards. Korea's Ministry of Environment has not yet certified a range.

It takes only 26 minutes to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent, according to Volvo.

Lee Yoon-mo, CEO of Volvo Car Korea, introduces EX30 at a media event Tuesday held in central Seoul. [VOLVO CAR KOREA]

Volvo Cars' EX30, the first entry-level EV from the Swedish brand [VOLVO CAR KOREA]

The product will be available with an upgraded TMAP Infotainment system, a navigation service the automaker developed with SK Telecom with an investment of 30 billion won.

“Volvo has grown 471 percent in the Korean market since 2012, while the overall imported market increased only 31 percent,” said Volvo Cars Korea CEO Lee Yoon-mo. “It is the safe and premium Volvo offering at the most affordable price.”

The sticker price starts at 49.5 million won ($38,000), which government subsidies will knock down to 43 million won. Under Korea’s current law, EV models with a sticker price below 57 million won are eligible for 100 percent of the subsidy.

Online orders start on Tuesday in Korea. Delivery will begin early next year.