The new Volvo EX30 Cross Country is built to empower even your boldest outdoor adventures

‘The Great Winter Escape’ – that’s what Volvo coined its three-day retreat in the magical, far-flung landscapes of the Swedish Lapland, where a group of journalists and content creators indulged in the very best the area has to offer – including stunning snow-blanketed scenery, sleeping under the stars in aurora pods, relishing local flavours outdoors, and snow shoe trekking through the forest. All of this was, of course, topped off with taking to the road in Volvo’s elite cars, with the highlight being the reveal of the Swedish company’s brand-new EX30 Cross Country – the small yet mighty, fully electric SUV made for big adventures.

Collective gasps filled the subzero air as the EX30 Cross Country cruised across the frozen lake, arriving at a remote, minimalist wooden cabin perched on the waterfront. The locale for the reveal was no coincidence – with its latest release, Volvo introduces not just a car, but a whole experience. Case in point? The sleek, light grey cabin – designed uniquely for this occasion and peppered with expansive windows overlooking the lake – will be available to book via Landfolk for a limited one-month period starting February 21st. And for the duration of your winter escape – which can last up to two days – an EX30 will be waiting for you at the Luleå airport, ready to take you on your Northern odyssey.

“More and more people really feel that urge of escaping the city and going out into nature,” says Katharina Sachs, the senior exterior designer at Volvo Cars. “For the EX30 Cross Country, we looked at how people want to explore the outdoors, what kind of gear they want, what type of storage solutions they need and infuse those learnings back into their car.” Akhil Krishnan, the Head of Vehicle Programmes at Volvo Cars, adds: “When you're on your way to the wilderness, you want to have the feeling that the car is looking after you, making you feel safe and comfortable.”

Enabling outdoor excursions is at the heart of the EX30 Cross Country, which follows the footsteps of Volvo’s sought-after, fully electric EX30 released last year. However, this model arrives with additions designed to help navigate even the roughest of terrains. Take, for instance, the raised chassis and chunkier tires, which bolster the car’s off-road prowess. Elsewhere, the extra wheel extensions and bumper inserts at the front and the rear provide added protection while contributing to the car’s rugged yet streamlined look. The EX30 Cross Country also comes with an all-wheel drive system, ensuring the car can easily handle the toughest and slipperiest conditions.

Then there’s the interior, which is where, as Sachs puts it, “the car gets really smart.” Designed to be multi-functional, the EX30 Cross Country boasts a slew of clever storage solutions across the car, accommodating both larger and smaller items (there’s even a hidden storage for your most precious belongings). Unsure if there’s enough room for all your gear? Check out the car’s ‘Will it Fit’ guide on the boot lid, which shows exactly how much you can pack in.

A beacon of Nordic design, the EX30 Cross Country is available in two refined, nature-inspired interior iterations, Pine and Indigo. Both harness sustainable materials, like the bio-attributed Nordico and upcycled denim (seen in Indigo) and the woven flax, a natural and renewable material derived from the linseed plant (featured in Pine). The lush Scandinavian landscapes are also reflected in the five different ambient lighting and song themes, which bring the vibrant hues of the mesmerising northern lights and the deep greens of the endless forests into the cabin. As for the exterior, customers can choose from four polished colour options: Vapor Grey, Cloud Blue, Onyx Black and Crystal White. As a nod to Volvo's Swedish heritage, the engraved pattern on the front shield recalls the topographical maps of the Kebnekaise mountain range in Arctic Sweden.

It was time to put the EX30 Cross Country to test ourselves – on none other than a sprawling, frozen lake. “Does everyone know how to swim?” the ice track instructor jokingly asked ahead of the drive, reassuring us that the ice was roughly one-metre thick – strong enough to carry a light tank. Still, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly nervous – driving on a frozen lake for the first time and all.

Yet, the slivers of fear vanished as I sat behind the wheel and set off. The EX30 Cross Country felt quiet and smooth, sturdy yet effortless to drive. Even though we had turned the ESC – the feature that prevents skidding and rollovers – off to get the most out of cruising on ice, the car remained incredibly stable. I didn’t feel like I was losing control at any point, which I was scared of – it genuinely did feel like the car was looking after me.

And that’s no surprise – after all, Volvo is renowned for exceeding safety standards. For example, the EX30 Cross Country is equipped with state-of-the-art braking and steering support that will help to avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Meanwhile, a driver monitoring sensor will give you a nudge if it detects signs of distraction or drowsiness.

Ultimately, the EX30 Cross Country fits any lifestyle, whether it be in urban or rural settings. But it does go the extra mile for those nature escapes that we in the Nordics cherish – even if it was minus 20 degrees outside. As Krishnan says, “This is the essence of Cross Country for us. It's more than just rugged bits added to a car for looks. It's about all of the experiences the car can empower people to have.”