Volvo has given its EX30 compact electric crossover an off-road makeover with the arrival of a Cross Country variant.

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Designed for people who want “big experiences from their small, fully electric SUV”, it takes the standard EX30 and adds in “rugged ingredients” to go from city to trail.

It’s the first Cross Country-branded electric car and launches 25 years after the badge first debuted.

Based on the most powerful twin-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain and range-topping Ultra trim, the EX30 Cross Country gains a host of updates. These include higher ground clearance, chunky front and rear skidplates, special bigger wheels and darker wheelarches, front grille and boot lid. Options include 18-inch all-terrain tyres, load carrier, roof basket and mudflaps.

Interior tweaks deliver large storage compartments in the door panels, thanks to the relocation of the speakers into the soundbar on the dashboard, while the glove compartment has been placed beneath the centre console.
The EX30 Cross Country also comes with a neat storage box on the floor between driver and passenger.

As with every new Volvo car, the EX30 Cross Country has Google built in, delivering a variety of Google products as standard – including Google Maps.
The fully electric powertrain outputs 428hp from its twin-motor set-up along with a WLTP range of up to 265 miles (427km) and can be charged from 10-80% in as little as 26 minutes.

Volvo said the Cross Country badge remains a core part of the brand – and the latest iteration would firmly put the focus on ‘experiences’.

Jim Rowan, Volvo Cars’ CEO, said: “We launched our first Cross Country car more than 25 years ago, and this concept of durable and all-weather cars is core to the Volvo brand. In Sweden, we face harsh winters, but we also like to make the most of them by getting out and exploring our amazing nature, even when it’s minus 20 Celsius outside. That’s why we want to deliver a fully rounded experience, not simply a car, to our EX30 Cross Country customers.”

He added: “We know that more and more people are seeking ways to get closer to nature. This is why with our new Cross Country Experience, we aim to create an entire ecosystem around those models, supporting our customers as they embrace adventure.”

The EX30 Cross Country is available to order now in selected markets, with deliveries starting later this spring.

UK-specific information and prices will be confirmed at a later date.