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USA Today
6 days ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
Tested: Is the 2025 Volvo EX30 the Tesla alternative we were promised?
Tesla's influence shows up everywhere in the 2025 Volvo EX30. You see it in the speedometer relegated to a corner of the infotainment touchscreen. You see it in the gear selector stalk that doubles as the cruise control switchgear. And you see it in the credit-card-style key that's meant to be a backup to using your phone for unlocking and starting the vehicle. All of this is cost-saving minimalism cleverly passed off as modernism, an art that Tesla — and now Volvo — has nearly perfected in its pursuit of making attainable (and profitable) EVs. Of all the parallels between the EX30 and a Tesla, the strongest similarity is one that no automaker should imitate: the mile-wide gap between what the automaker originally promised and the car it eventually delivered. Just two years ago, Volvo introduced the EX30 as the cheap and cheerful cure for too-expensive EVs with a $36,245 starting price and 275 miles of range. Yet the only EX30 you can buy in the U.S. right now and for the foreseeable future costs nearly $10,000 more than that and landed well short of 200 miles in MotorTrend's Road-Trip Range test. Volvo set out to build the $35K EV that Tesla has long teased and appears to have come to the same conclusion: It can't be done. (Chevy has proven otherwise.) Revisiting vintage automakers: What if AMC Motors had survived? How it could've changed the auto industry Trading value for performance It's a shame that the launch turned into a bait and switch because the $46,195 Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance is awesome in its own right. Imagine an electric Volkswagen GTI with 422 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, and you'll have a pretty good idea of what it's like to drive. Presented with a gap in traffic or an empty roundabout, the EX30 rockets through with an exuberance that matches its Moss Yellow paint. It is not, however, a rowdy little hooligan of a hatchback as the specs suggest. Exercising characteristic restraint, Volvo delivers all that oomph as a shove rather than a gut punch. The EX30 launches with the faintest scrape of spinning tires, and power builds linearly over the first 20 or so mph. Hitting 60 mph in 3.2 seconds has never felt so civilized. When the EX30 zips past the quarter-mile mark in 11.8 seconds, it does so up against the 112-mph speed limiter that Volvo rolled out across its lineup five years ago in the name of safety. Similarly, the EX30 steers and turns and tackles bumps capably without ever feeling overtly aggressive. Its 110-foot stop from 60 mph and 0.87 g of cornering grip are decent for a 4,190-pound vehicle on all-season tires but hardly the makings of a four-door sports car. For a Volvo, that's perfect. The EX30 Twin Motor Performance is fun to hustle and pleasant to commute in, making it a great daily driver. How to make a cheap car feel expensive The danger of buying the expensive version of a cheap car is that so much of a car is designed and engineered for the lowest-priced model. That's the story of the Ford Maverick. At $33,000, it feels like a value. In a $43,000 model, you can't ignore the flashing and exposed edges on many of the injection-molded plastic parts. Like the Maverick, the EX30 uses texture and color to turn cheap interior materials into eye candy. Unlike Ford, Volvo has engineered the fit and finish so that those materials also look and — where it matters — feel expensive. The sense of quality is furthered by the cabin's thoughtful and innovative design. The glove box drops from the center of the dash to give the front passenger more kneeroom. Instead of a conventional center console, a bin slides out from below the fixed center armrest with a clever, independently sliding top plate that allows you to allocate the space for cupholders or catchall storage. As noted at the beginning of this story, it's not hard to find where Volvo has cut cost from the bill of materials. Look at how simple the climate vents are. The front doors have been stripped of nearly all electronics, with the driver and passenger sharing two window switches in the center console to control all four windows. The front speakers all live in a soundbar running across the top of the dash, which unfortunately takes a toll on the audio system's sound quality. Lamborghini unveils the Temerario GT3: Introducing the successor to Lambo's most decorated race car What would have been easily justified trade-offs in a $36,245 EX30 are tougher to swallow at our test car's $48,395 sticker price, but the cabin is ultimately an industrial design masterpiece. Funky and original, the EX30 feels like the spiritual successor of the quirky 2008–2013 Volvo C30. The EX30's petite size reinforces the connection with that decade-old Volvo. The four-door EX30 measures about an inch shorter than the two-door C30 (and 5 inches shorter than the Toyota Corolla hatchback). As a result, the rear seats are only functional if your kids have the anatomy of a Squishmallow, and emptying a full Costco cart into the EX30's 12.4-cubic-foot cargo hold will test your Tetris skills. Volvo EX30 real-world range and charging The most consequential cost-cutting measure naturally shows up in what's the most expensive part of any EV, the battery. The EX30's lithium-ion pack stores 64.0 kWh of electricity, less than the late (but soon-to-be-resurrected) Chevrolet Bolt EV. Officially, the Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance is rated for a reasonable 253 miles on a full charge. At a steady 70 mph in the real world, though, we achieved an impractical 180 miles. That 29 percent gap between the window sticker and our measurement (which admittedly only looks at 95 percent of a full charge) makes the EX30 one of the worst performers in the MotorTrend Road-Trip Range test. Its fast-charging performance is similarly underwhelming. Power peaks at 153 kW and quickly tapers off, delivering enough juice in 15 minutes to cover just 87 miles at 70 mph. Given the EX30's size, limited range and mediocre charging, there are far better options at this price point — pretty much any EV at this price point — for anyone planning on road-tripping their electric vehicle. Getting techy Tesla's influence is palpable in the nearly button-free dashboard. The EX30 runs nearly all its major controls through a scaled-down version of the Android Automotive–based infotainment system found in the larger EX90. Thankfully the EX30 hasn't been plagued by the litany of software quality complaints owners have logged against Volvo's new flagship EV, and our reviewers took to the user interface quickly. We like that you can download apps such as Spotify and Waze directly to the 12.3-inch touchscreen and that it offers the familiar comfort of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for those who aren't ready for such newfangled ideas. The EX30 comes in two versions, the standard Plus trim and the $1,700 Ultra upgrade that adds a 360-degree camera system, automated parking, ambient cabin lighting, a cabin air filter, LED headlights and Pilot Assist, Volvo's conservative take on Tesla's Full Self-Driving. It can center the EX30 in its lane, slow or accelerate with traffic, and even guide the vehicle through a lane change, but all of this requires the driver to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. We appreciate a cautious, safety-first approach, but the value of Pilot Assist seems marginal compared to Ford's BlueCruise or GM's Super Cruise. Given its limited capabilities, we'd be inclined to pass on the Ultra trim to try to keep the price in check. A lesson learned? The Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance's straight-line speed, polished driving dynamics, and fetching design tug at our emotions, but it's hard not to feel jilted once you climb out of the driver's seat and look at the vehicle in the larger context. Volvo originally pitched the EX30 as a value play that would get more Americans into EVs. Instead, we got a tiny hot rod of a luxury car for a niche buyer. For now, the work of pushing EVs into the mainstream will have to be carried out by larger, cheaper, longer-range alternatives such as the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Chevy Equinox EV. Should Volvo someday figure out how to bring the entry, single-motor EX30 to America (specs for which are included on the U.S. media site), we hope it's learned an important lesson: Wait until you're shipping the cars to the U.S. to announce the price. Photos by Jim Fets
Auto Blog
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Honda Rolls Out Strong Odyssey Lease Offers for August
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. If you were to look at one of the major differences between the Volkswagen GTI and the Honda Civic Type R, it would be their transmissions – but there's more. A minivan for all 2025 and 2026 Honda Odyssey EX-L trims offer all the space and features families need—plus, Honda's latest lease deals make this well-rounded minivan even more appealing. If you've been thinking about upgrading your daily kid-hauler or road trip rig, now's a good time to take a closer look. Full details on the Honda Odyssey leases for August This month's lease program includes both 2025 and 2026 Odyssey EX-L models. The lease deal in question is for the Odyssey EX-L, with a $43,715 MSRP, and the 2026 model with a $44,290 MSRP. Both include the destination charge, but the taxes, title, license, and doc fees are extra and will vary depending on your region. Here's what's on offer for the month of August: 2025 Odyssey EX-L: $489 per month for 36 months with $3,899 due at signing 2026 Odyssey EX-L: $519 per month for 36 months with $4,099 due at signing Both offers are based on 10,000 miles per year and expire September 2, 2025. 2025 Honda Odyssey — Source: Honda Why the Odyssey EX-L is such a great option Whether you're eyeing the 2025 or 2026 model, you're getting the same solid setup under the hood: a 3.5-liter V-6 that generates 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy's not bad either—the EPA rates it at 19 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. Inside, the Odyssey checks a lot of family-friendly boxes. It's quiet, which goes a long way on long drives, and there's a cabin camera and built-in PA system so the driver doesn't have to yell over the headrests. Power outlets and an HDMI input keep the back seat crowd entertained, and Honda didn't skimp on space—the second and third rows are among the roomiest you'll find in a minivan. The second-row Magic Slide seats are another win. They move forward, back, and side-to-side, giving you plenty of flexibility when you need it. 2025 Honda Odyssey — Source: 2025 Honda Odyssey Source: Honda Both model years now come standard with a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen that finally gets a processor upgrade. Wireless phone charging is baked in, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Rear-seat entertainment features a 12.8-inch high-res screen and an HDMI port inside the console. You'll also find more USB-C ports scattered throughout the cabin to keep everyone's gear charged. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Final thoughts The Odyssey EX-L keeps doing what it does best—hauling families comfortably without a lot of fuss. Nothing major changed between 2025 and 2026, so either version will get you the same smooth ride, family-friendly features, and easy-to-use tech. With solid lease offers available this month, it's a good time to make a move if the Odyssey's already on your radar. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. About the Author Michelle Nati View Profile
New York Post
11-08-2025
- New York Post
2 moped riders killed by Mercedes on Bronx River Parkway: cops
Two moped riders were killed on the Bronx River Parkway early Monday when a Mercedes driver slammed into them, police and law-enforcement sources said. The 2019 Mercedes C class sedan was traveling south in the left lane when it moved to the center lane and rear-ended a Volkswagen GTI, causing it to careen into a guardrail near East Gun Hill Road in The Bronx around 12:30 a.m., authorities said. Two scooters were hit by a Mercedes on the Bronx River Parkway early Monday. Robert Mecea Advertisement The Mercedes then plowed into two young men, ages 21 and 23, who were thrown from their Fly Wing scooters, authorities said. The 21-year-old rider was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, and the 23-year-old victim succumbed to his injuries at Montefiore Hospital, the NYPD said. The Mercedes driver was taken into custody, but no charges have been filed, sources said. Advertisement The fatal crash led to closures on part of the parkway for a few hours. The names of the two killed moped riders haven't been released pending family notification.
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- The Citizen
Bogus police make off with R10 000 after robbing man at gun-point in Silverton
Bogus police make off with R10 000 after robbing man at gun-point in Silverton A 58-year-old is recovering from a terrifying ordeal after being abducted and robbed at gunpoint near Silverton Mall recently, allegedly by two bogus police officers. He was robbed of R10 000. The victim, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of further victimisation, described it as the worst day of his life. The incident occurred after he had left the Silverton Mall on De Boulevard Street. According to the victim, he had withdrawn R300 from an ATM after purchasing a cellphone and was on his way to visit his sister when a white Volkswagen GTI pulled up beside him. 'Two men got out, identified themselves as police officers, and showed me what looked like an appointment certificate with a photo of a police official,' he explained. 'After seeing that, I let my guard down, thinking they were real officers.' He said the suspects showed him a disturbing image on a cellphone, people lying in pools of blood and accused him of being involved in a shooting. 'They claimed I matched the description of the shooter and insisted on taking me to the police station.' He said he was terrified. 'I have never touched a firearm in my life. I didn't understand what was happening,' he said. He said that when he hesitated, the men forced him into the car, drove off, and began interrogating him. One of them pulled out a gun, demanded his bank card and PIN, and threatened his life. 'I begged them not to hurt me. I told them I'm a father and the only breadwinner for my two daughters,' the man said. 'My heart was pounding, I felt helpless, and I feared I would never see my family again.' The suspects drove around with the victim before dropping him off on Keuning Drive. He said before they let him go, they removed the SIM card from his phone to prevent him from receiving banking notifications. 'I discovered that over R10 000 had been stolen from my account.' He said they used his card to purchase liquor worth R6 000 and withdrew R4 000 in cash from an ATM. Additional transactions were also made at a pharmacy. 'That money was for my family. I do casual work to survive. I don't know how we are going to make it now, but I thank God I'm still alive,' he said. The victim said he felt an overwhelming sense of fear and helplessness. 'My heart was pumping so fast and I was filled with uncertainty about what might happen next. I desperately tried to stay calm while fearing for my life and the thought that I might never see my loved ones again hit me hard. 'This fear and trauma will stay with me long after. I am constantly anxious.' He said he went to Silverton Police Station to open a case. Liezel Moller from the Community Policing Sub-forum said the victim's brother-in-law notified them about the incident. Moller said an increase in cases of bogus police operating in Silverton have been reported of late. She warned residents to be cautious and alert at all times to avoid falling victim to this crime. 'He only knew of the transactions after getting a taxi to go back to the bank.' She said the brother-in-law and wife took the victim to the liquor shop, where they were able to identify one of the robbers on video footage. 'They were also able to identify the robber in video footage at a Meyerspark business centre.' Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Marinda Austin said the police in Silverton are investigating a case of armed robbery. She confirmed that the police are aware of bogus police officers operating in Silverton and warned residents to be cautious. She said the police are waiting for the footage of the suspect from the complainant's sister. Austin urged residents to remain vigilant and always ask for official police identification. 'A genuine police ID will include a photograph of the officer, along with their initials, surname, and the SAPS star in the font. On the back of the card, you should see the Appointment Certificate under Section 30 of Act 68 of 1995, displaying the officer's ID number, rank, date of appointment, and a signature from the National Commissioner.' She said it is also important to look at the police uniform, which must include a name badge, the police star, and the rank of the officer. 'Detectives may be dressed in civilian clothes, which makes the police ID card especially crucial in confirming their identity,' she explained. She said every legitimate police official is issued a Persal number – a unique personnel number assigned by SAPS. 'You have the right to ask for this number,' she said. 'Be cautious of imposters, as fake police officers may only wear parts of the uniform or try to intimidate you.' Austin said residents should also verify which police station the officer is from. 'If approached by police in an unmarked vehicle, they are still required to show their ID, act professionally, and identify themselves upon request. You can ask to go to a public place or even to the police station to ensure your safety.' She advised that real police officers will never demand money, act aggressively or refuse to identify themselves. 'As a member of the public, you have every right to ask any police official for proper identification.' Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
16-06-2025
- The Citizen
Men sought after armed robbers in disguise raid Middelburg filling station
A large group of armed robbers dressed as petrol attendants robbed the Doornkop Sasol Filling Station in a hold-up and made off with two vehicles. Middelburg Observer reports that, according to Mid Alarms operational manager Johan Oberholzer, an undetermined number of suspects descended on Sasol Doornkop yesterday at 01:30, where they held up staff members inside the convenience store. A reaction officer from Mid Alarms arrived at the Sasol, and during his initial scan of the scene, petrol attendants were walking around outside, and everything seemed normal. As the reaction officer approached one petrol attendant to ask whether everything was well, the disguised robber pointed a firearm at him and forced him into the shop, where he was held up with the rest of the hostages. 'The officer could not raise an alarm, and two of the suspects left with his reaction vehicle,' Oberholzer explained. A second reaction officer also responded minutes later. 'The second reaction officer was also held at gunpoint and taken inside.' According to Oberholzer, the armed robbers then stole cigarettes and other items from the convenience store before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash. Once the robbers were gone, the SAPS was dispatched. 'The SAPS responded quickly, and our reaction officers successfully managed to recover our stolen vehicle. A Volkswagen GTI was also stolen, but was recovered by the police later that day at a school in Doornkop.' While another publication reported that two people were shot, Oberholzer refutes those reports, adding that no one was shot or injured during the robbery. 'We have very clear imagery of the two suspects in our reaction vehicle, and we appeal to anyone with information on the suspects to please come forward,' Oberholzer urged. Although the number of suspects is unknown, Oberholzer said it was a large group of between six and nine suspects. Anyone with information that could assist in the suspects' arrest is asked to call 082 802 6399. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed they are looking for the two people in the photo to assist them in their investigation. If anyone knows their whereabouts, they can contact the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Osia Banze, on 079 420 0535. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
