Volvo EX30 Cross Country Is An Adorable Electric Off-Roader With Raised Suspension And Rugged Looks
Volvo's compact EX30 electric crossover is getting the Swedish automaker's Cross Country treatment for 2026, and that means the popular little car is getting all sorts of soft-roading goodies like more plastic cladding, standard all-wheel drive and a slight suspension raise that'll let you pretend its a real off-roaders. That's all most people want at the end of the day anyway. Plus, it keeps the great looks and practicality of the non-Cross Country EX30.
Volvo is aiming this car right at 'weekend explorers,' and not all-out off-road enthusiasts. That's not exactly a surprise, though. It isn't like the Cross County Volvos of the past have been world-beating off-roaders. Pretty much, customers can expect a bit more black cladding, some new skid plates, exclusive 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires with chunkier arches and a 0.7-inch suspension lift. Out back, the rear suspension has seen some revisions to its spring rate and damper settings to better deal with bumpy terrain. Each of these changes on their own won't amount to much, but if you put them together, you get a really handsome little package in the EX30 Cross Country.
The front and rear facias of the EX30 CC get an exclusive dark cladding, and the front comes with a pretty neat touch: a unique piece of artwork that shows the topography of the Kebnekaise mountain range in Arctic Sweden. How neat is that? On the inside, the EX30 Cross Country doesn't stray too far from the base car. The interior still looks to be a very warm and inviting place to be. It's very Volvo with sleek tech (now including Google Built-In) and storage solutions all over the place. Of course, this wouldn't be a Volvo without tons of safety equipment, but it's not like that's big news.
Underneath, the EX30 CC should be fairly similar to the regular EX30. Volvo says it'll be able to DC fast charge charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 26 minutes. The EPA hasn't rated the little crossover yet, but non-Cross Country EX30s get about 250 miles of range, according to the EPA. You can expect the EX30 Cross Country to be marginally worse than that because of the off-road bits. We also don't know power numbers just yet. Volvo says the conventional dual-motor EX30 makes 422 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, and those motors are fed through a 69 kWh battery.
In terms of pricing, well, that's a question mark as well. The regular EX30 dual motor starts at a tick over $46,000, so you can probably expect the Cross Country to be a bit more than that.
Volvo's EX30 has proven to be incredibly popular for Volvo. The automaker sold nearly 100,000 of them in 2024, making it the struggling company's fourth best-selling vehicle and best-selling EV. It makes sense. I mean, just look at it. It's adorable and a good value. Adding in a soft-roader component was the next logical thing to do, and I'm sure they'll sell just as well.
For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
27 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
Senate Moves to End Fuel Economy Fines That Hit Automakers Hardest
Senate Republicans have proposed ending fines for automakers not meeting Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) rules as part of President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill." CAFE fuel economy standards have been active since 1975, with the initial penalty at a $5 fine per 0.1 mpg below the standard, multiplied by the number of vehicles sold in the US market. In 1997, this fine increased to $5.50, and today, the penalty is $14 per 0.1 mpg below the standard, with some automakers significantly more affected than others. Stellantis has paid the highest amount of recent fines, including $156.6 million for the 2016 and 2017 model years, a record $235.5 million for the 2018 to 2019 period, and $190.7 million for the 2019 and 2020 periods. General Motors (GM) paid $128.2 million in penalties for 2016 and 2017. In 2001, BMW paid a $27 million CAFE fine. If Congress doesn't change CAFE rules, GM, Ford, and Stellantis are projected to pay over $10 billion in penalties from 2027 to 2032 under stricter regulations set by the Biden administration, according to Transport Topics. Senate Republicans also proposed lowering emissions requirements, ending the $7,500 electric vehicle (EV) tax credit, imposing a $250 annual EV registration fee, and phasing out EV battery production tax credits in 2028. Tesla earned almost $2.8 billion last year by selling regulatory credits to other automakers, helping competitors meet government-established car emissions rules, many of which are in California. Competitors who don't manufacture enough zero-emission vehicles face steep fines if they don't purchase regulatory credits from Tesla. If rolled back, new emissions requirements would save automakers $200 million, Reuters reports. The Transportation Department also declared that former President Biden's administration exceeded its authority by assuming a high EV adoption rate in calculating fuel economy rates, increasing the likelihood of looser CAFE standards. Under President Biden, 2027 to 2031 model-year passenger cars faced a 2% annual fuel economy increase requirement, with trucks subject to a 4% increase. However, new final rules would keep the 2027 to 2031 passenger car fuel economy at 2% while lowering the annual increase for trucks from 4% to 2% for 2029 to 2031 models. However, separate legislation may eliminate CAFE fines altogether. Automakers could still face tailpipe emissions rules established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), even if Congress eliminates CAFE fines. While Congress can overturn EPA rules, its most recent CAFE proposal doesn't impact EPA penalties. As of 2025, automakers are subject to EPA penalties up to $45,268 per non-compliant vehicle or engine, $4,527 per tampering event or sale of defeat device, and $45,268 per day for reporting and record-keeping violations. If passed, Congress's proposal could significantly shape the U.S. EV adoption rate in favor of lowering immediate costs for legacy automakers. "We are making vehicles more affordable and easier to manufacture in the United States. The previous administration illegally used CAFE standards as an electric vehicle mandate, raising new car prices and reducing safety. Resetting CAFE standards as Congress intended will lower vehicle costs and ensure the American people can purchase the cars they want," said current Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy regarding Congress's proposal to end CAFE fines. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Japanese Lunar Lander Crashes In Second Failed Mission
A private Japanese lunar lander crashed during an attempted touchdown on the moon Friday. This marks the second failed mission for the Tokyo-based global lunar exploration company, ispace. The lander, named Resilience, lost communication less than two minutes before its scheduled landing in Mare Frigoris, a flat, crater-filled region on the moon's northern near side. A preliminary analysis indicated the laser system for measuring altitude malfunctioned, causing the lander to descend too fast. 'Based on these circumstances, it is currently assumed that the lander likely performed a hard landing on the lunar surface,' ispace said in a statement. 'This is the second time that we were not able to land. So we really have to take it very seriously,' CEO and founder Takeshi Hakamada told reporters, per Associated Press. He apologized to contributors and added that the mission was 'merely a stepping stone' to a larger lander planned for 2027 with NASA involvement. 'Engineers did everything they possibly could' to ensure success, he said minutes before the attempted landing. The 7.5-foot Resilience, launched in January from Florida on a SpaceX rocket, carried an 11-pound, four-wheeled rover named Tenacious, built by ispace's Luxembourg subsidiary. The rover, equipped with a high-definition camera and a shovel for NASA to collect lunar soil, was designed to operate for two weeks during the moon's daylight period. It also carried a toy-size Swedish-style red cottage, dubbed Moonhouse by artist Mikael Genberg, for placement on the lunar surface. The mission's $16 million payload included scientific instruments from Japanese firms and a Taiwanese university. The failure follows ispace's first lunar crash in 2023, caused by inaccurate altitude readings. 'Truly diverse scenarios were possible, including issues with the propulsion system, software or hardware, especially with sensors,' Chief Technology Officer Ryo Ujiie said at a press conference. Jeremy Fix, chief engineer for ispace's U.S. subsidiary, noted last month that the company, with a mission cost less than the first's $100 million, lacks 'infinite funds' and cannot afford repeated failures. 'We're not facing any immediate financial deterioration or distress because of the event,' CFO Jumpei Nozaki said, citing investor support. However, space shares faced heavy sell orders and were poised for a 29% drop. As of Thursday, their market capitalization was over 110 billion yen ($766 million). The crash marks another setback in the commercial lunar race, which began in 2019. U.S. firms Firefly Aerospace and Intuitive Machines achieved successful landings in March, though Intuitive's lander toppled in a crater. Japan's space agency, JAXA, landed its SLIM probe last year, joining Russia, the U.S., China, and India as the only nations with successful robotic lunar landings. 'Expectations for ispace have not faded,' Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba posted on X, reported Reuters. Ispace remains committed to NASA's Artemis program, with plans for a third mission in 2027. 'NASA increasingly needs private companies to improve cost efficiency for key missions with limited budgets,' Hakamada said, referencing proposed U.S. budget cuts. Two U.S. companies, Blue Origin and Astrobotic Technology, aim for moon landings by year's end following Astrobotic's 2024 failure.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
One Million Drivers Told To Avoid Gas Stations
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Indiana residents are being advised to minimize visits to gas stations today as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to worsen air quality across the state. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has extended an Air Quality Action Day through Saturday; fine particulate levels are reaching unhealthy thresholds, particularly in northern, northeastern, and northwestern regions, as reported by WNDU, potentially affecting at least a million people. Newsweek contacted IDEM for comment via email on Saturday. Why It Matters EPA reports that Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that easily evaporate into the air and are released from sources like petrol stations, vehicle exhaust, paints, and industrial processes. At gas stations, VOCs escape during refueling and contribute to air pollution even with vapor recovery systems in place. When VOCs react with nitrogen oxides (NOx) in sunlight, they form ground-level ozone—a major component of smog, the United States Environmental Protection Agency reports. EPA advises that this ozone can aggravate asthma, trigger respiratory symptoms, and harm people with existing heart or lung conditions. File photo: The price of gasoline is displayed on a pump at a gas station on March 6, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. File photo: The price of gasoline is displayed on a pump at a gas station on March 6, 2025 in Chicago, To Know The smoke originates from over 200 wildfires burning across Canada, as reported by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center, with plumes stretching thousands of miles and affecting air quality throughout the U.S. Midwest. In some areas, air-quality indexes have reached levels deemed "very unhealthy," prompting widespread advisories. Reducing vehicle emissions can help mitigate ozone formation during such alerts. Residents are encouraged to limit driving, avoid refueling vehicles during daylight hours, and postpone the use of gasoline-powered equipment. To reduce pollution and protect public health, it is recommended to avoid gas stations during air-quality alerts or refueling in the evening, when ozone formation is less likely. As reported by Newsweek, at least two people have died and tens of thousands have been evacuated in Canada as a result of the blazes. WDNU reported that the following cities in Indiana will be most affected by the air quality: North Central Indiana: Including the cities of Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac, and all other cities within the area. Northeast Indiana: Including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area. Northwest Indiana: Including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso, and all other cities within the area. IDEM has issued some recommended actions that the public can take. These include: Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation. Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip. Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m. Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds. Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees Fahrenheit or above. A National Weather Service (NWS) air quality alert said that fine particulate levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exposure. What People Are Saying The American Lung Association warns that wildfire smoke poses significant health risks, especially for children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory conditions. They recommend staying indoors, using air purifiers, and keeping windows closed to reduce exposure. The American Lung Association stated on its website: "Areas throughout the Midwest, including parts of Indiana, will see their air quality impacted by smoke from wildfires burning in Canada this weekend. The smoke is prompting several communities to issue air-quality alerts. "It is unhealthy to breathe and can be especially harmful to sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and people with lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease." What Happens Next Residents are advised to monitor local air-quality reports and take necessary precautions to protect their health during this period of elevated pollution.
