Volvo introduced an all-new electric subcompact crossover last week seeking to appease more tenuous vehicle enthusiasts. The EX30 is resolutely against the current of the general swelling of the car fleet while sparing the resources necessary for its construction.

At 4.2m in length, this EX30 has a smaller footprint than most subcompact SUVs on our market. On the aesthetic level, however, there is no possible confusion about its belonging to the Swedish brand. Its optics still feature those Thor’s hammers cut out of a grille sealed to slice through the air. It is largely inspired by the EX90 in this aspect. At the rear, the lights are placed in two pieces, one on the pillars, the other on the oval-shaped tailgate.

This uncluttered posture also extends into the passenger compartment, while the very smooth dashboard focuses attention on a large central vertical touch screen. It hosts the latest operating system from Volvo with integrated Google applications.

The rather discreet envelope, however, hides an astonishing striking force. If the standard livery is entitled to a single rear engine of 268 hp, the twin-motor version increases the total power to 422 hp. This makes it the fastest accelerating Volvo creation ever produced, completing a 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. A feat comparable to a Porsche 911 Carrera S.

The two versions that will be detailed in Canada will be entitled to a 69 kWh battery capable of ensuring a range of 443 km or 427 km, depending on whether or not you choose the slightly more fuel-efficient twin-engine variant. Maximum charging power caps out at 153kW, enough to go from 10% to 80% battery in 26.5 minutes.

In addition to its electric motor, this EX30 is the Volvo vehicle with the lowest carbon footprint ever built. By the time it goes on sale in the summer of 2024, Volvo Canada will open price books that are expected to be tens of thousands of dollars lower than the XC40 Recharge.