Tesla Model Y vs. Volvo EX30: Which One Wins?

Key Points

• Volvo is releasing the EX30 as a competitor to the Tesla Model Y, offering similar features at a more competitive price.
• The Tesla Model Y has a faster top speed and longer electric range compared to the Volvo EX30.
• Both the Tesla Model Y and the Volvo EX30 have impressive safety features, but Tesla’s Autopilot is more advanced.
• The Volvo EX30 has a lower starting price, but the Tesla Model Y offers more features at the base level.

If you’re in the market for a new electric vehicle you can never go wrong with Tesla, but their cars are expensive, and even though Tesla builds quality vehicles they’re not perfect by any means. Tesla has dominated the EV field in recent years, but competition in this space is getting much closer than you think. Volvo is releasing the EX30 as the latest challenger to the Tesla Model Y.

The Tesla Model Y has been the pillar of premium quality when it comes to EV SUVs today, but the Volvo EX30 is planning to bring many similar features at a much more competitive price. Not to mention that Volvo is taking an emphasis on safety, introducing features that even the Model Y doesn’t have yet.

The Tesla Model Y has been the pillar of premium quality when it comes to EV SUVs today, but the Volvo EX30 is planning to bring many similar features at a much more competitive price. Not to mention that Volvo is taking an emphasis on safety, introducing features that even the Model Y doesn’t have yet.

Which of these EVs is better? And which one should you choose? This article will break down all the major features between the Tesla Model Y and the Volvo EX30.

Tesla Model Y vs. Volvo EX30: Side-by-Side Comparison

Tesla Model Y vs. Volvo EX30: What’s the Difference?

Both the Tesla Model Y and the Volvo EX30 are EV SUVs at their core, so what’s the difference? The truth is that both of these EVs are made with different target audiences in mind. The Tesla Model Y has a minimalist and futuristic design, a much bigger body, and more cargo space as well.

The Volvo EX30 presents a more traditional design, with a compact body, and a lower starting price. But let’s go into detail below.

Performance

The fastest 0-60 mph for the Tesla Model Y is 3.5 seconds, while the fastest 0-60 for the Volvo EX30 is 3.4 seconds. The Tesla Model Y takes the edge with a top speed of 155 mph for the Performance version, the base Model Y reaches a top speed of 135 mph.

The Volvo EX30 has a top speed of 112 mph across all models so far, and I say so far because this EV will be released in 2025 so there could be changes.

Interior

The Volvo EX30 has 4 interior design colors: Breeze, Mist, Pine, and Indigo. This EV SUV also has a 12.3″ tablet as the center display for the driver interface. Volvo approached the EX30 with performance in mind which is why they implemented a squared steering wheel that provides a sporty grip.

The EX30 has upholstery seats and features a wireless phone charger, a load-compartment power outlet, and four USB-C ports.

The Tesla Model Y comes with leather seats in two color options: black and white. You can also choose from a seating layout of five or seven people. The Model Y also features a 15″ inch touchscreen display with a user-friendly interface.

If a potential buyer likes sunroofs they will love the Model Y since it features an all-glass roof. This EV SUV also features a wireless charger, as well as two front and two rear USB-C charging ports.

Electric Range

Charging stations are not rare but they are far less common than the gas stations fossil fuel cars use, so the electric range of your EV is a crucial factor. The range for the Tesla Model Y is up to 330 miles while the range for the Volvo EX30 is up to 270 miles.

This can become a bigger difference when it comes to long-distance driving. When your EV is low on battery away from home there is no time to sit around for hours and wait for your car to recharge, if a driver uses a public charging station they would be able to take their Volvo EX30 from 10 to 80 percent in 26.5 minutes.

The Tesla Model Y can use the Tesla Supercharger while away from home, which can charge up your Tesla fully in 27 minutes. The base version of the model Y includes a 67.6 kWh battery pack and the base version of the CX30 is equipped with a 64.0 kWh battery pack.

Safety

Both the Tesla Model Y and the Volvo EX30 have a long list of very impressive safety features. One of the best safety features that both EVs have is Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), which can automatically brake your car if it detects you’re about to crash.

Both the Volvo EX30 and the Tesla Model Y feature blind spot monitoring, rearview camera, and parking sensors which make for a safer overall driving experience. Volvo emphasizes its approach to safety with a new sensor behind the steering wheel of the EX30 to detect drowsiness or fatigue. This sensor detects eye and face movements around 13 times per second.

The homerun safety feature for Tesla is Autopilot. The Volvo EX30 has the Pilot Assist feature which can also help steer, accelerate, and brake automatically. However, Tesla’s Autopilot is more advanced since it can handle more complex driving situations, like changing lanes and navigating through traffic.

Price

When it comes to price, the Volvo EX30 is a much lower-priced option since it starts at $34,490, while the Tesla Model Y starts at $47,740. However, the lower price doesn’t settle the debate for better value since the base Tesla Model Y has many features that the Volvo EX30 can not compete with until you upgrade the Volvo EX30 to the Twin Motor version.

Some of the key advantages the Model Y has over the CX30 starting at the base version are Electric range, battery charge time, top speed, and safety features.

Drivetrain

The Tesla Model Y is available in Rear-Wheel-Drive (RWD) for the base Model Y and All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) for the Long Range and Performance Model Y. The Volvo EX30 features Rear-Wheel-Drive (RWD) for the single motor versions and All-Wheel-Drive for the Twin Motor Performance versions.

Tax Credit Eligibility

Tax credit eligibility for buying a car can vary depending on the type of car you’re buying and the state you live in. However, here are some general requirements you should keep in mind.

If you purchase a brand-new electric vehicle, the government offers a tax credit of up to $7,500 and it can apply to individuals and businesses. Vehicle sales must reach a threshold to unlock full tax credit eligibility, once this happens all sales for that vehicle will be eligible for the full $7,500 EV tax credit.

When that EV surpasses 200,000 sales for that specific car, then the tax credit begins to phase out.

The Tesla Model Y is currently eligible for the full $7,500 tax credit starting on the week of June 7th, 2023. The Volvo EX30 doesn’t qualify for federal tax credit eligibility since it is being built in China at first, but it may be eligible for state and local credits depending on where you reside.

Availability

A great football coach once said to his star players: “The best ability is availability.” The Tesla Model Y has already been released and an updated version is in the works to release in 2024. The Volvo EX30 will not hit the road for the public until 2025.

Tesla Model Y: The Complete History

Tesla has become the undisputed dominant force when it comes to EVs, and the Model Y is more confirmation that Tesla is not slowing down anytime soon. The Tesla Model Y was first revealed during a Tesla shareholder meeting on March 2019 and began production in early 2020.

Tesla first released the performance model of the Model Y in late 2020, the Long Range version was released in early 2021, and the Base Model Y was released in late 2021.

As of May 2023, the Tesla Model Y had sold a groundbreaking 747,500 cars. In fact, the Model Y became the world’s best-selling car in the first quarter of 2023 with 267,200 cars sold. This stat becomes even more impressive when you realize the Model Y outsold the Toyota Corolla, the Toyota Rav 4, and the Toyota Camry to reach the top.

Volvo EX30: History in the Making

A lot of different car brands have tried to step up to the stage to compete directly with Tesla in the EV world, many have tried but very few have succeeded. Volvo is the latest contestant with their EX30 EV SUV, but this car will not hit the road until 2025.

Because of everything we know about the EX30, it is safe to assume that this Volvo will be one of the hottest EV SUVs on the market, for all we know the Volvo EX30 could be history in the making but only time will have the answers to that.

Tesla Model Y vs. Volvo EX30: 5 Must-Know Facts

• The Tesla Model Y has a superior driving range, top speed, 0-60 time, and safety features.
• The Volvo EX30 starts at a very competitive price of $34,950 and includes safety features that compete closely with Tesla.
• The Tesla Model Y has a minimalistic and futuristic approach to its design, while the Volvo EX30 is more sharp and traditional.
• The Volvo EX30 emphasized its focus on safety with driver sensors to scan for fatigue or drowsiness at all times.
• The Tesla Model Y is a proven quality EV SUV, the Volvo EX30 will be the very first of its kind for Volvo.

Tesla Model Y vs. Volvo EX30: Which One is Better? Which One Should You Choose?

There is no way to tell which EV SUV is going to be better between the Tesla Model Y and the Volvo EX30. We know Tesla is a proven brand in the world of EVs, and the Model Y has become one of the highest-rated and hottest-selling cars on the market period, outside of their EV focus.

The Volvo EX30 could end up being a breakthrough SUV in the EV world, but so far all we have to show for this car is specs and potential. The price of the Volvo EX30 is a major selling point but a competitive price doesn’t always guarantee a quality product.

In the end, the clear pick is the Tesla Model Y when you consider all the factors except price.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©solepsizm/Shutterstock.com.