How is the quality and layout?

The EX30’s cabin is dominated by the twin themes of simple and central. Nearly all of the buttons have been moved to the infotainment screen, from heating to the mirror adjustment, while the window control toggles and central locking buttons can now be found on the centre armrest.

The sunroof was a welcome feature during our test as it amplified the roomy feel of the EX30’s cabin, despite its modest size. The seating position is natural and comfortable; you sit high enough up for great forward visibility but with ample adjustment options – electric in Ultra, manual in Plus.

The overall fit and finish of the cabin is great, feeling every bit as premium as the badge would suggest. It features high-quality recycled materials throughout – the solid polished metal door hands being a particular highlight along with the cosy seating upholstery. It will eventually be available to order in Volvo’s Black Edition trim, too.

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The cabin is only let down by the faux leather loops used to direct airflow from the vents, as they look and feel as though they could be unremoved security tags rather than useful interior components.

Infotainment and tech

Volvo has moved its conventional instrument cluster from behind the steering wheel to the top of the 12.3-inch infotainment screen in a Tesla-like style. Finding your current speed at the top of the infotainment screen takes some getting used to as your eyes naturally drop to below the steering wheel at first, but you adjust to it eventually. A head-up display would’ve made sense in the absence of a digital cluster, but Volvo has omitted any such feature from the options list.

The infotainment is responsive and easy to navigate, with baked-in Google Automotive Services such as Google Maps and a voiced-activated Google Assistant as standard.

However, as just about every function the car has to offer is embedded in the infotainment, some will require you to pull over just to carry out safely. For example, the mirrors can be adjusted using a button panel on the steering wheel, but activating the panel requires finding a mirror setting adjustment toggle on the display. It’s very distracting, and feels at odds with Volvo’s drive to make the safest cars on the market.

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Comfort

• Excellent front seats
• It’s not so good in the rear
• Offered with some very nice materials

Owing to the EX30’s supportive seats with fixed lumbar support, excellent headroom and ample legroom, it is a very comfortable car to spend long periods of time in – for the driver and the front passenger at least. The seats have ample adjustability to help you get comfortable and they’re finished in a raft of materials to feel at home in.

You’d be hard-pressed to say the same about the rear bench, though. Unless your rear seat passengers are very small, they won’t thank you for having them sat in the back for long journeys. They’re nicely finished but space and legroom are at a real premium.