WhichCar By Wheels

Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way: the Polestar 4 does not have a rear window. That’s right, its design team instead employed a rear camera mirror set up to maximise rear-seat headroom and create a sleeker SUV/coupe design, at least according to Polestar. Beyond that significant exclusion, the Polestar 4 does a lot of things right.

The Polestar 4 launched in Australia in August 2024 and so far in 2025, it’s the brand’s best-seller locally with 1099 sales under its belt. Two models are on offer: the Long Range Single Motor and the Long Range Dual Motor, both using the same battery but one with a single rear-mounted motor, the other adding another motor for all-wheel drive. We tested the Long Range Single Motor fitted with the optional Plus Pack for this review.

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Polestar 4 pricing (plus on-road costs):

Long Range Single Motor$78,500
Long Range Dual Motor$88,350

Both Polestar 4 variants in Australia use a 102kWh (94kWh useable) NMC battery that allows for a claimed 620km range rating (WLTP) and can be charged at up to 200kW for a claimed 10 to 80 per cent charge in as little as 30 minutes. Unlike the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 cousins – and its Polestar 3 bigger sibling – the Polestar 4 uses a 400-volt (not 800V) architecture, so its peak charging speed is slower. But 200kW is still a healthy amount that will surpass most EV chargers in Australia, and its 620km WLTP range is strong in the market as well.

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On the road, the Polestar 4 impresses with its refinement and comfort, while it’s also quite a good handler – and that’s in standard form, so models fitted with the Performance Pack are likely even sharper. The ride is surprisingly soft, with more suspension travel than we were expecting, but the steering is quick with good feel. It feels nimble from behind the wheel, but also not as firm as the smaller Polestar 2. With 200kW, the 4’s performance is more than fine and it has ample grunt, though those wanting more go will upgrade to the dual motor and its 400kW.

You can also tell that European engineers tuned the active safety features because they’re excellent. The 4 is actually built in China and uses a platform from parent company Geely, but not once in our drive did the lane keeping assistance go wrong or the driver monitoring annoy. The adaptive cruise control is excellent too, especially with its accurate and effective pilot assist level 2 autonomous driving capability.

And how about the rear camera mirror in lieu of a rear window? Well, this reviewer learnt to drive on trucks so I’m used to not having a rear window. Thankfully, the exterior mirrors are large enough to be quite useful (even if they adjust using the screen) and give accurate depth perception of the rear view. However, depth is not something you get from a rear mirror camera, so it took a while for me to get used to it. Thankfully, the 360-degree camera is quite detailed for parking.

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At first glance, the interior of the Polestar 4 appears to be from the business class lounge of a Swedish airport thanks to crisp detailing, an abundance of light and a high quality feel throughout. It definitely feels like a more premium space than rivals such as the Tesla Model Y and it feels special inside.

Cabin highlights include the textile trims on the door panels with switchable ambient lighting, the large volume dial in the middle of the centre console with its satisfying click when being used, and the elegant 7.2-inch digital driver’s display.

All Polestar 4 models use a ginormous 15.4-inch touchscreen that runs the company’s latest implementation of inbuilt Google software. Thankfully, it’s much easier to use than sister brand Volvo’s equivalent – in fact, the screen icons and general layout is fantastic. Screen quality is great, and the sound quality from the 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system (as part of the optional Plus Pack of our test car) is rich as well.

Features of the touchscreen include wireless Apple CarPlay, FM and DAB+ digital radio (but no AM) and Google services such as Google Maps navigation and access to the Google Play Store so apps such as Spotify and YouTube can be downloaded. It also has a dog mode, which keeps the cabin cool for when you’re shopping to keep pets happy.

Seat comfort in the Polestar 4 is excellent, especially with the Plus Pack ticked, which adds very supportive and adjustable 12-way electric front seats. Storage is plentiful too, including large door bins, plus a big central box and tray underneath the centre console.

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The rear seat is spacious for the segment and the standard panoramic roof and lack of rear window – there’s a removable trim piece blocking access to the boot instead – make it feel airy. Rear seat comfort is excellent, aided further by the electric reclining rear seats of the Plus Pack, and the control screen used to control the climate and entertainment is a nice touch as well.

The boot isn’t quite as large as you’d expect. At 526 litres with the seats up, its claimed capacity seems generous thanks to a shallow floor. Thankfully, there is more storage underneath the boot floor and folding the rear seats opens the boot up to 1536 litres – there’s a large 15-litre front boot as well.

There’s no question that some EV rivals offer better value for money than the Polestar 4, while some ride better and others offer more performance with more impressive charging stats. But as an overall package, with its spacious and inviting interior, useable tech and comfortable driving experience, the Polestar 4 impresses. Don’t say we didn’t warn you about the rear window, though…

Standard equipment:

Safety features:

The Polestar 4 received a five-star ANCAP safety rating earlier in 2025 with scores of 92 per cent for adult protection, 87 per cent for child protection, 81 per cent for pedestrian protection and 79 per cent for safety assist.

Options:

Polestar 4 rivals:

Polestar 4 specifications:

Price$78,500 plus on-road costs
Peak power200kW
Peak torque343Nm
TransmissionSingle-speed, single-motor rear-wheel drive
0-100km/h7.1 seconds
Top speed200km/h
Battery94kWh usable Nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC)
WLTP claimed range620km
Efficiency (claimed/as tested)17.8-18.4 kWh/100 km-19.8kWh/100km
Peak DC charging speed200kW
10-80% peak charge time30 minutes
Dimensions (length/width/height/wheelbase)4840/2067/1534/2999mm
Kerb weight2230kg
Boot (seats up/seats folded)526 litres/1536 litres + 15L front boot
WarrantyFive-year/unlimited km with five years of roadside assistance
On saleNow

Toyota Australia has confirmed that the C-HR+ small electric SUV will be sold locally, but there’s a big wait as it won’t launch until 2027 at the earliest. Sitting underneath the bZ4X mid-size electric SUV, the Toyota C-HR+ will sit alongside its hybrid-powered C-HR sibling.

Prices for the Toyota C-HR+ are yet to be announced, but it’s likely to sit above the C-HR, which starts at $45,440 plus on-road costs for the entry-level GXL and tops out at $57,390 +ORC for the top-spec GR Sport.

Using the same e-TNGA platform as the bZ4X and its Subaru Solterra twin, the C-HR+ is about to go on sale in Europe where it offers a choice of 57.7kWh or 77kWh NMC batteries for up to 600km of WLTP range. The C-HR+ can be DC fast charged at up to 150kW, and there’s a choice of 11kW of 22kW AC charging too.

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For power, the entry-level front-driver uses a 125kW/270Nm electric motor, which is upgraded to 165kW/270Nm with the larger battery and 252kW/439Nm in the all-wheel drive model, the latter of which is capable of a 5.2 second 0-100km/h time.

Measuring 4520mm long, 1870mm wide, 1595mm tall and riding on a 2750mm long wheelbase, the C-HR+ is 160mm longer than the hybrid C-HR already on sale.

By the start of 2027, the Toyota C-HR+ will bring Toyota’s electric line-up to four models, including the upgraded bZ4X that’s due soon and the bZ4X Touring high-riding wagon and electric HiLux that are both launching in the first half of 2026.

Genesis Australia has announced local pricing and specifications for the 2026 Genesis GV80 large SUV and its coupe variant.

Priced from $120,000 plus on-road costs, the entry price to the range has dropped by $10,000 thanks to the re-introduction of a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that was previously culled from the range. At the top of the range now sits a new Black specification, while the models underneath have been renamed Signature in line with other Genesis models like the GV70.

The re-introduced 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine in the GV80 range again serves as the entry-level engine in the line-up. Making 224kW of power and 422Nm of torque, it uses an eight-speed automatic transmission and sends power to all four wheels. It uses 95RON premium unleaded fuel and is rated at 10.4L/100km on the combined fuel consumption cycle.

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The now-mid-level GV80 grade has been renamed the Signature and at the top of the line-up is the new Black model. As the name suggests – and like the G80 sedan – this GV80 edition features a number of black details like the wheels, grille, exterior trims, badging and body cladding on the outside.

On the inside of the GV80 Black is black Nappa leather upholstery with black suede inserts, a dark-tinted Genesis logo, Black-exclusive welcome and goodbye animations, black ash real wood trim and black-trimmed garnishes, bezels, switchgear and speaker grilles.

Genesis has also added digital key functionality to the 2026 Genesis GV80 range, which allows users to lock and unlock and start their cars using their smartphone or smartwatch using both NFC and UWB technology.

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Pricing for the 2026 Genesis GV80 range starts at $120,000 plus on-road costs, which is $10,000 less than the 2025 model range thanks to the new entry-level engine – like for like, however, pricing has risen by $2000.

2026 Genesis GV80 pricing (plus on-road costs):

2.5T Signature 7-seat$120,000
3.5T Signature 7-seat$132,000
3.5T Signature 6-seat$135,000
3.5T Black 7-seat$136,000
Coupe 3.5T Signature$137,500
Coupe 3.5T Black$141,500

Australian pricing for the 2026 Toyota RAV4 has been revealed ahead of its local launch in the first quarter of 2026. Priced from $45,990 plus on-road costs for the entry-level GX 2WD, the cost of entry to the RAV4 range has climbed by $3730 compared with the current model thanks to extra standard features.

As announced in September 2025, the Australian lineup for the new RAV4 has grown with the addition of new plug-in hybrid models, including the top-spec GR Sport. The entry-level GX and second-tier GXL continue as before, but the former top-spec Edge is now a mid-spec grade, with the XSE and Cruiser sitting above it. The GR Sport, Edge and XSE Hybrid are equipped with all-wheel drive as standard, with every other model also available as a front-driver.

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Toyota’s fifth-generation 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain is standard for most new RAV4 models, and it makes 143kW of power – down from the 160kW front-drive/163kW all-wheel drive current model thanks to Euro 6 emissions. Toyota is yet to announce local fuel consumption figures, but the current model uses from 4.7L/100km on the combined cycle.

New to the RAV4 range in Australia is a new 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid system, which makes 200kW in front-drive form and 227kW as an all-wheel drive, making it the most powerful RAV4 ever. The PHEV uses a 22.7kWh lithium-ion battery that supports both 50kW DC charging and 11kW three-phase AC charging. The EV range is yet to be confirmed for Australia, but it’s as little as 68km in overseas markets.

Pricing for the 2026 Toyota RAV4 starts at $45,990 plus on-road costs for the entry-level GX, which is $3730 more expensive than the current RAV4 GX. Toyota says that’s offset by new standard equipment, including a digital driver’s display, extra standard features and a Toyota’s new ‘Arene’ software that includes live services, over-the-air updates and connected streaming and satellite navigation on every model.

The RAV4 GX has, however, lost some features – a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, as well as automatic wipers, for example, are now only available from the GXL and up.

The off-road themed RAV4 Edge used to be the top-tier model on the current vehicle, but is now the mid-spec model instead. Its the only model on which pricing has dropped, in this case by $3020, but has lost features such as a sunroof, 19-inch alloy wheels, ventilated front seats and a 360-degree camera.

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The RAV4 XSE, now the penultimate grade with both powertrains, has gained the most features, with 20-inch wheels, a sunroof, a 360-degree camera, an electric front passenger seat and memory for the driver’s seat now standard equipment. Pricing for the XSE starts at $58,340 +ORC for the hybrid – +$6430 over the current XSE AWD – and $58,840 for the plug-in hybrid.

The RAV4 Cruiser, traditionally the most popular grade, starts at $56,990 +ORC – $5580 higher than the current model -– and equipment additions include a head-up display, a shift-by-wire gear selector, an extra wireless phone charger and heated outboard rear seats.

At the top of the range is the RAV4 GR Sport, which is only available as an all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid and adds a number of sporty features, including retuned suspension and steering, sportier exterior and interior styling – including a big rear spoiler – and a heated GR Sport steering wheel with paddle shifters.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 range will be offered with a total of 10 single-tone and four two-tone paint options depending on grade, while Cruiser variants will have the option of a beige interior colour scheme alongside the black offered on the rest of the range.

2026 Toyota RAV4 pricing (plus on-road costs):

GX Hybrid 2WD$45,990 (+$3730)
GX Hybrid AWD$49,340 (+$4080)
GXL Hybrid 2WD$48,990 (+$3180)
GXL Hybrid AWD$52,340 (+$3530)
Edge Hybrid AWD$55,340 (-$3020)
XSE Hybrid AWD$58,340 (+$6430)
XSE Plug-In Hybrid 2WD$58,840 (new)
XSE Plug-In Hybrid AWD$63,340 (new)
Cruiser Hybrid 2WD$56,990 (+$5580)
Cruiser Hybrid AWD$60,340 (+$5930)
GR Sport Plug-In Hybrid AWD$66,340 (new)
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2026 Toyota RAV4 GX standard features:

RAV4 GXL model adds:

RAV4 Edge model adds:

RAV4 XSE model adds:

RAV4 Cruiser model adds:

RAV4 GR Sport model adds:

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 will go on sale in Australia in the first quarter of 2026.

Stellantis-backed Chinese company Leapmotor has introduced a new over-the-air update for its C10 electric and range-extender hybrid mid-size SUV. Aimed at improving the driving experience through refinement for safety systems, the latest update to the Leapmotor C10 is free-of-charge and cars must be connected to wifi to download it.

The C10’s software update makes key refinements to the much-criticised active safety features. According to Leapmotor, drivers can now operate most ADAS switches in any gear, while adaptive cruise control and adaptive lane guidance sensors have been refined.

The C10’s lane keeping assist has been enhanced for better sensitivity and performance, and fault icons for the driver attention monitoring systems have been relocated to the cluster display. There is also a new memory setting that allows drivers to save presets for selected ADAS and driving modes, which can be activated via a customisable steering wheel button.

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Leapmotor has also added a new 360-degree dashcam recorder that operates while the vehicle is running, using the C10’s surround view cameras and saves footage to a USB stick. There’s also a new ‘QDLink’ screen projection from Android devices, and ‘Radioline’, a global radio streaming service.

Other smaller changes to the C10’s infotainment includes a new avoid-tolls option for navigation, improved 3D route visibility and clearer location names for addresses sent from mobile devices. The C10’s user interface has undergone further refinement, expanding voice recognition capabilities and introducing new commands such as searching by song or artist name. The dock bar now includes passenger climate zone and mirror heating controls.

The Leapmotor smartphone app has also been improved to include digital key sharing amongst family and friends who also have a registered Leapmotor app account.

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Notably for some owners, however, the Leapmotor C10 range still doesn’t feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring tech.

The latest over-the-air update for the Leapmotor C10 has been available since September 19.

Audi Australia has announced pricing and specifications for new variants to the Q5 mid-size SUV range, including a 270kW plug-in ‘e-hybrid’ and a new 200kW version of the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. Like the recently released A5 mid-sizer, the Audi Q5 e-hybrid and 200kW petrol variants are priced at parity from $96,900 plus on-road costs despite the e-hybrid including more standard equipment.

Filling the space between the 150kW Q5 and 270kW SQ5 variants already on sale, the new Q5 200kW and e-hybrid variants use a turbocharged 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The petrol variant makes 200kW of power and 400Nm of torque, up from 150kW/340Nm in the entry-level petrol Q5.

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Meanwhile, the Q5 e-hybrid adds an electric motor for 270kW/500Nm outputs and draws power from a 20.7kWh battery for up to 82km of electric driving range (WLTP). The Q5 e-hybrid sprints to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds, which is 0.6 seconds behind the SQ5 that sits above it in the line-up. Audi claims the Q5 e-hybrid uses 2.6L/100km of fuel – if fully charged – and its claimed CO2 emissions are rated at 60g/km. It can be AC charged at up to 11kW – but not DC fast charged.

For equipment, the Q5 200kW TFSI quattro and its Sportback coupe sibling share the Q5 2.0 TDI quattro’s features, including 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, sports front seats, leather upholstery, a 14.5-inch touchscreen and a full suite of active safety features.

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Yet despite its price parity, the Q5 e-hybrid adds extra features, including unique wheels, sports suspension, red brake calipers, black exterior styling, rear privacy glass and auxiliary air conditioning.

2026 Audi Q5 pricing (plus on-road costs):

Q5 TFSI 150kW turbo-petrol$81,000
Q5 Sportback TFSI 150kW turbo-petrol$84,500
Q5 TDI quattro 150kW turbo-diesel$87,600
Q5 Sportback TDI quattro 150kW turbo-diesel$91,100
Q5 TDI quattro Sport 150kW turbo-diesel$94,100
Q5 Sportback TDI quattro Sport 150kW turbo-diesel$97,600
Q5 TFSI quattro Sport 200kW turbo-petrol$96,900 (new)
Q5 Sportback TFSI quattro Sport 200kW turbo-petrol$100,400 (new)
Q5 e-hybrid quattro 270kW PHEV$96,900 (new)
Q5 Sportback e-hybrid quattro 270kW PHEV$100,400 (new)
SQ5 TFSI 270kW Edition One$106,400
SQ5 Sportback TFSI 270kW Edition One$109,900
SQ5 TFSI 270kW$122,400
SQ5 Sportback TFSI 270kW$125,900

The Audi Q5 TFSI quattro and Q5 e-hybrid quattro variants will begin arriving in Australian showrooms from Q1 2026. 

Toyota Australia has announced that the slow-selling Fortuner large off-road SUV will not be renewed locally when the next generation of the vehicle is launched next year.

Announced at the reveal of the ninth-generation HiLux, which the next Fortuner will be based on, the Toyota Fortuner is currently being outsold eight to one by its larger and more expensive LandCruiser Prado sibling.

Shifting buyer preferences is behind the move, according to Toyota Australia, with consumers moving towards other SUVs like the aforementioned Prado and its LandCruiser 300 Series sibling.

Launched in Australia in 2015 and priced from $47,990 plus on-road costs, the Fortuner was pitched by Toyota as a diesel four-wheel drive alternative to the Kluger. It uses the same underpinnings as the HiLux ute, including its platform and 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine.

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The Fortuner’s best sales year in Australia was 2022 when 4614 units were shifted, but even then, the Prado sold four times as many.

In 2025 so far, the Fortuner has sold 2928 units to the end of October – versus 23,298 Prados, 21,915 Ford Everests, 12,499 Isuzu MU-Xs and 5015 Mitsubishi Pajero Sports, the latter of which is no longer available to order in Australia.

The Toyota Fortuner will exit from Australian showrooms in mid-2026, at the same time a new model will enter production. Next year is shaping up to be a big one for Toyota Australia with models such as a new RAV4, updated GR Corolla and LandCruiser 300 Series Hybrid all set to launch.

Ahead of an on-sale date next month, the new 2026 Toyota HiLux has finally been fully revealed. A heavy facelift instead of an all-new product, the ninth-generation HiLux was styled by a team from Toyota’s Australian design studio and is “the most Australian HiLux ever”, according to the brand.

As before, three bodystyles will be offered, though only one drivetrain choice for now but that will expand to include electric power in 2026 and fuel-cell hydrogen in 2028.

Using a “digital sumo” design theme, the new HiLux is more aggressively styled than before with a sharp new front end with angular LED headlights, pumped up bumpers, new alloy wheels and – on models with a pick-up tray – a modern new LED tail-light design.

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On the inside of the 2026 Toyota HiLux are more changes, such as an all-new dashboard layout and a lot more available technology. The layout is more modern than before and appears higher-quality as well, using a lot of shared parts from other Toyota products like the LandCruiser Prado.

Under the bonnet of the entire 2026 Toyota HiLux range is the same 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine as the previous model, making the same 150kW/500Nm outputs for the six-speed automatic (150kW/420Nm for the six-speed manual). There’s no hybrid HiLux model for this generation yet, though Toyota’s 48-volt mild-hybrid tech is standard on the SR and above when fitted with the automatic transmission.

In 2026, the first electric HiLux sold in Australia will be added to the range too. Toyota is yet to confirm details, other than it will be a dual-motor drivetrain available on the SR and SR5 models, but it will be joined by a hydrogen fuel-cell drivetrain in 2028 as well.

While the platform and mechanicals are the same as the previous HiLux, other significant changes include new electric power steering, revised suspension and enhancements to the four-wheel drive system to make it even more capable off-road.

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Available features have been improved across the whole HiLux range, with a new 12.3-inch touchscreen featuring live services and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment, as well as a 7.0-inch digital driver’s display with a larger 12.3-inch unit available on upper-spec models.

Safety features have also been improved, with lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit assist and a reversing camera as standard equipment across the range. On pick-up models, front and rear parking sensors have been added, too.

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the new HiLux would continue the iconic story of the rugged pick-up in Australia. “The new HiLux delivers a wide range of improvements to on and off-road driveability, safety and comfort, along with a new interior design and features, and new exterior design, which we are proud to say was developed right here in Australia.

Toyota will release pricing and specifications for the 2026 Toyota HiLux soon ahead of its December 2025 on-sale date.

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How much driving range do you really need?

Snapshot

Range anxiety is often cited as a key concern when considering a switch to a pure-electric vehicle, but the situation has evolved very rapidly. 

While those regularly travelling long highway distances may find range – and the relative lack of public fast-charging infrastructure – an issue, the reality is that most new electric vehicles will have plenty enough range for a week’s worth of commuting for most Australians. 

How is electric driving range calculated? 

Just as fuel is measured in litres, battery size is measured in kiloWatt-hours. Therefore, just as fuel use is expressed in litres per 100km, energy consumption is typically expressed in kiloWatt hours per 100km. 

However, how those numbers are calculated is a little more complicated. The figure you need to look for is the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure, usually written as WLTP for short. 

This is a tougher test that will be more indicative of real-world use compared to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) or China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC), which are sometimes quoted because they can give a substantially higher number. 

Real world figures can vary dramatically depending on your use case, but remember that EVs are typically the opposite of internal combustion vehicles. Whereas they tend to be more efficient at constant speeds, even at 100km/h, EVs do their best work in town, so in urban traffic you may well exceed your vehicle’s combined claim. 

Cold weather also does batteries no favours, with some vehicles losing 20-30 per cent of their range in single-digit temperatures, while some manufacturers’ recommendation to only charge the battery to a maximum of 80 per cent on a regular basis obviously also has a large impact on range. 

Top 10 longest range EVs in Australia 

These are currently the 10 electric vehicles with the longest ranges on sale in Australia, albeit with a couple of caveats. There are a few cars that technically belong on this list, such as the BMW i7 xDrive 60 and Mercedes-Maybach EQS 580 SUV, which have been excluded as they are hugely expensive and sell in tiny numbers. 

It’s also worth noting that this list will change rapidly, with the likes of the forthcoming BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA promising more than 800km of WLTP range.

1. Tesla Model 3 RWD Long Range – 750km 

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2. Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor – 706km  

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3. Porsche Taycan (w/Performance Battery Plus) – 678km 

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4. Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor – 659km  

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5. IM Presented by MG IM5 Platinum – 655km 

MG IM5 and IM6
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6. Porsche Macan – 640km  

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7. Polestar 4 Long Range Single Motor – 620km  

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8. BMW iX xDrive50 – 616km

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9. Zeekr 7X Long Range RWD – 615km  

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10. Hyundai IONIQ6 RWD Dynamiq Extended Range – 614km  

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What determines driving range? 

There are two factors that determine driving range, the net (or usable) capacity of the battery and the energy consumption. Note that the list above is determined by outright range, not efficiency. 

Many of the cars on the list are long range variants or have optional larger batteries, but while smaller or cheaper cars may not have the outright ranges due to their smaller batteries (helping keep the cost down), they may be more efficient. 

For example, Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor in second place manages 706km from an 111kWh (gross) battery, the Kia EV3 Air – which just missed the cut – extracts 604km from an 81.4kWh (gross) battery.  

Is it time to buy an electric car? 

Whether an electric car is suitable for you is a deeply personal question, but the rapid evolution of the technology means that range anxiety is increasingly a non-issue, especially for those that can charge at home. 

The other good news is that as battery efficiency improves, cars will be able to use smaller batteries, making them cheaper, lighter and even more efficient. 

Volvo’s Cross Country badge has been around since 1997, identifying its high-riding off-road variants such as the XC70 Cross Country. Traditionally, the Cross Country badge has only been applied to ICE products but now it introduces its first electric model: the Volvo EX30 Cross Country, promising more capability for the smallest Volvo on the market.

Priced at $69,990 plus on-road costs (that’s around $79,000 drive away, depending on location), the Cross Country sits at top of the EX30 tree in Australia, above the regular EX30 models. The least expensive EX30 is priced from $59,990 +ORC, but the Cross Country adopts the equipment from the upper-spec Ultra ($66,290 +ORC).

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Equipment gracing the EX30 Ultra includes 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED lighting, rain-sensing wipers, a panoramic glass roof, dual-zone climate control, textile and synthetic leather upholstery, heated and electric front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with inbuilt 5G, Google integration for Google Maps and access to the Play Store to download apps, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 1040W Harman Kardon sound system and all the safety features you’d expect from a Volvo.

For $3700 above the Ultra, the Cross Country then adds off-road styling features such as the black plastic front and wheel arch mouldings, front and rear skid plates, a dual-motor all-wheel drive drivetrain and 19mm-raised suspension. Fun fact: the front plastic panel is a topographical map of the Kebnekaise mountain range in Arctic Sweden. Cool!

The regular EX30 is a really fun thing to punt around. It’s got a tight chassis and nimble handling, though can be a bit firm around town. So how do the off-road changes affect the Cross Country? In good news, it’s actually better to drive. The slightly softer suspension for off-road duty has made the EX30 more comfortable, but it’s still fun to drive. The steering doesn’t give much feel, but its body control is tight.

How about the extra 18mm of ground clearance? Well, 190mm in total is hardly going to send the Volvo EX30 Cross Country over the Himalayas, but it’s enough for its intended missions on gravel road, snow and light off-roading. We drove it over gravel, mud and below-average roads and it didn’t have any trouble, though those wanting more serious off-road chops will need to look elsewhere.

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For its arrival, Volvo Cars Australia has tweaked the EX30 line-up so that the Cross Country is now the only variant available with the dual-motor all-wheel system. Where the standard single-motor EX30 makes a still-strong 200kW, the dual-motor adds a second front axle motor for a frankly ridiculous 315kW of power and 543Nm of torque, enough for an insane 3.7-second 0-100km/h time.

The Volvo EX30 Cross Country uses a 69kWh battery for a claimed 427km WLTP range, which is around 30km less than the equivalent non-Cross Country EX30. The battery charging is impressive for a 400-volt architecture at a maximum of 175kW. A 10-80 per cent charge takes around 28 minutes or fast enough to be done during a quick lunch break before returning to the road. In our test, we achieved 20.6kWh/100km for energy consumption, which is a big improvement on electric Volvos of the past, but could still be better.

The cabin of the EX30 is distinctly un-Volvo in many ways. For starters, in a very Tesla move, there’s no speedometer in front of the driver. Secondly, the minimalist interior appears to be a cost-saving move – there are no buttons on the inside of the doors, for example, and the window controls are in the centre console. And then there’s the touchscreen…

It’s a 12.3-inch unit with 5G connectivity and runs Google software, including Google Maps for the sat-nav and the Google Play Store to download apps such as Spotify and YouTube. It also has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and its graphics are crisp and bright as well. A good start, then.

But almost every feature in the EX30 Cross Country is controlled through the touchscreen, including the headlights, safety systems, seat settings, mirror adjustment, climate control and 360-degree camera.

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Plus, look at it for more than five seconds while driving – which you need to do in order to use it – and the driver monitoring system blares at you to look ahead. For the company that’s known for Swedish sensibility, it’s a big shock to the system. Sure, once you learn it and everything is set to your preferences, it’s fine, but should there be the learning curve? We’re not sure.

In better news, the materials in the EX30’s cabin are partly recycled, the storage is excellent, as is front seat comfort, and the punchy Harman Kardon sound system is unique in that it only uses a soundbar underneath the windscreen and there are no other speakers inside the car. Pretty cool stuff, in our view.

The EX30 Cross Country does lose some marks for practicality. Sure, it’s quite a small car and the company has definitely carved out as much space as possible, but it should be a little bigger considering its asking price. Rear seat room is tight for six-footers, while the 318-litre boot is also pretty small. It opens up to a more useful 1000L with the rear seat folded, plus the small six-litre front boot, but small families are better off with the larger EX40 or competitors such as the Skoda Elroq.

In some ways, the Volvo EX30 Cross Country is one of the best small electric SUVs around thanks to its strong performance, fun driving dynamics, good quality interior and long list of standard equipment. The Cross Country adds some more appeal in that you can cover rougher terrain, while the ride quality is more comfortable than the regular EX30 and the off-road design cues add more character. It’s also now the only variant offering the super quick dual-motor set up in the EX30 range.

Volvo EX30 Cross Country specifications:

Price$69,990 plus on-road costs
Peak power315kW
Peak torque543Nm
TransmissionSingle-speed, dual-motor all-wheel drive
0-100km/h3.7 seconds
Top speed180km/h
Battery69kWh lithium-ion
WLTP claimed range427km
Efficiency (as tested)20.6kWh/100km
Peak DC charging speed175kW
10-80% peak charge time28 minutes
Dimensions (length/width/height/wheelbase)4233/1850/1567/2650mm
Kerb weight1910kg
Boot (seats up/seats folded)318 litres/1000 litres + 6L front boot
WarrantyFive-year/unlimited km with eight years of roadside assistance
On saleNow

EX30 Cross Country rivals: