Hometown heroes: the new EX30 Cross Country and XC60 win over reviewers

The EX30 Cross Country is designed for people who want big experiences from their small, fully electric SUV. It takes the successful recipe of the EX30 and adds rugged ingredients, making it perfect for the growing number of people who want to explore beyond their crowded cities.

Listening to the experts, our intentions are coming through, loud and clear. During our recent media drive on the scenic roads around our hometown of Gothenburg, reviewers praised the Cross Country version, giving the EX30 a more adventurous personality while preserving its clean Scandinavian design.

The raised ride height, the front shield featuring a unique piece of artwork showing the topography of the Kebnekaise mountain range in Arctic Sweden, and the optional all-terrain tires are all highlighted as distinctive touches. The EX30 Cross Country also stands out for its ride comfort, especially noticeable on longer journeys, while the twin motor AWD version impresses with its speed.

Let’s have a look at some of the comments:

• Spanish El Mundo points out that the EX30 Cross Country is aimed at customers “who find the city too small and are looking for large open spaces, adventure and nature experiences for their vacations.”

   

• Suitcase Magazine says that “While having a Volvo isn’t a prerequisite for navigating Sweden’s undulating terrain, the EX30 Cross Country and XC60 (a plug-in hybrid) we’d borrowed for the trip had a natural affinity for these roads. Compact, but powerful, with pared-back designs that favours reduction over reinvention, both were made for the kind of road trip that, until then, we’d thought only happened in glossy car ads.”

   

• 01net from France highlights its acceleration, saying that “(...) the kick in the backside with every press of the accelerator is very real. It translates to 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, one of the best times in the category.”

   

• Car and Driver appreciates the details of the EX30’s interior design: “Note how the door handles are integrated into the metal trim piece – same for the dashboard vents. Check out the cool, dash-spanning soundbar at the base of the windshield. Our car had the Pine interior, which featured muted greens and tans; a cool blue-gray Indigo color scheme is also available. Both feature recycled materials with interesting textures, and stowage is generous.”

   

• And when it comes to versatility, la Repubblica from Italy sums it up well: “Good for the city, but ready to venture without hesitation onto unpaved roads and light off-road (...)”

   

The new XC60: “a delightful combination of luxury and safety”
Since its debut in 2008, the XC60 has remained a favourite among customers, appealing to a wide range of drivers who value safety, quality and a premium driving experience. 

For the 2026 model year, the mid-size SUV receives a significant refresh with a modernised design, more intuitive user experience, improved comfort, and a more responsive infotainment system.

Experts have welcomed this update, noting that it keeps the XC60 feeling modern without compromising its signature Scandinavian character. Highlights include the strong powertrain of the T8 plugin-hybrid, the quiet cabin and the larger, Google-powered infotainment screen.

• Top Gear calls the new XC60 “Handsome, luxurious and with the reassurance of Volvo's reputation for safety,” summing it up with “What's not to like?”

   

• MotorTrend echoes that sentiment, describing it as “a delightful combination of luxury and safety.”

   

• MenWith focuses on the driving experience: “What stood out most? The extremely responsive powertrain. Whether accelerating onto the highway or navigating winding backroads, the XC60 feels alert, confident, and smooth (...)”

   

• Citizen Femme writes: “With its clean Scandinavian design, quiet power, and sustainable conscience to match, the refreshed XC60 plug-in hybrid (now Volvo’s best-selling car of all time) turned out to be the perfect companion for soaking up Sweden’s golden hour landscapes.”

   

• Escapism values the comfort and control: “I’m not sure I’ve ever felt safer in a car. Everything from the all-wheel drive and intuitive steering to the comfort-first suspension and regenerative braking makes the ride smoother than butter.”