Kia EV3 vs Volvo EX30. Let's compare them.

Kia EV3 vs Volvo EX30. Let's compare them.

Link to BYD Blade V2 Video:

BYD Seagull vs BYD Dolphin Video:

Check out these playlists

My Equipment:
EBAY:

Some footage may have been used without prior permission from the owner. The owner or source of the footage or information has been noted in the video.

[Banyan]

Having no test drive feedback from any independent tester makes this is a rather silly video. I have driven the Volvo EX30 and I’m not impressed. It’s quick, way too quick for a family hatch, but the lack of leg room in the back, lack of drivers display or HUD and the awful tablet menus make it awful to drive especially in unfamiliar urban environments with speed cameras and navigation issues.
I appreciate the NMC LFP comparison, like you I’m disappointed that the 58kW LFP battery of the EV3 base model isn’t extended to the 81kW option, but so be it. My E Niro has not shown any battery degradation in the three years of ownership, but we do home charge and rarely charge to 100% except on long journeys.
Battery tech is only one aspect of EV ownership, how it performs as a car is more important in my humble opinion and on that count, nobody really knows yet. I really wanted an EX30 to replace our E Niro, but after the test drive, I asked for my £500 deposit back. It was a great disappointment.

[crm.]

I wouldn’t discount NMC batteries. There are Model Xs around with 400, 000 miles on the clock on the original battery. 200, 000+ miles is common place.

[stevewest]

I haven't sat in an EX30 nor an EV3 but do know both NMC and LFP are both excellent chemistries that will last the natural life of the car. You won't go far wrong with either.
We are getting spoilt with the choice of EVs available on the market, so now we're gettin picky!

[Gimlet]

You are quiet wrong. LFP batteries in a car cause consistent voltage drop because of increased internal resistance and It affects its durability. LFP batteries are cheaper nothing more than that.

[Nuntingdoli]

Saying that lfp is better is just Chinese marketing. There is no data to suggest that it is actually safer from fire, long-lasting.(only in lab, not data from mass product.) One more big problem lfp is that it is not recyclable. lfp material is rusty iron.

[kiae-nirodiariesencore]

An interesting comparison, even more so now that journalists have finally got to drive the EV3. However, I think the arguments in favour of LFP over NMC 'because they last longer' are irrelevant for all practical purposes. My five and half year old e-Niro is now considered 'old tech' but at 108, 000 km it has lost no range at all. I typically charge to 80% once a week and if you look at the accelerating ageing data for NMC batteries this greatly increases the number of cycles the battery will last before serious degradation sets in. We are talking about 2, 500 cycles here, not the 1, 000 cycles of a full charge/discharge. Even so, with a range of 450 km and only ever charging to 100% I would still have 450, 000 km to play with....far more than I, or anyone else are likely to drive the car in its lifetime. The real advantages with LFP is that they use no cobalt and most importantly are much cheaper to make. Sadly this is not reflected in the price of the Volvo.

[clivewaring]

Interesting comparison. For me the main difference is the FWD v RWD but I guess we need to drive both to compare. Is the Volvo drive that much better to put up with less rear & boot space?

[Tellyawhat]

Had a Volvo many years ago that left an extremely bad taste in my mouth. Never again I said then and I'm sticking with it. Volvo customer service was anything but customer service. It was a disgrace.

[colossus_g]

I am curious as to why Volvo would spec NMC in their 'premium' products rather than LFP. Do you have thoughts on this?

[rudydude]

Great video and very particular knowledge you have! I was at Volvo today looking at the base model EX30. The spec sheet mentions that the base model called Core does not have a heat pump, which is only available on the midrange Plus model. Can you please explain how this does or does not affect the battery? I thought the heat pump is what helps regulate the battery temperature, and I live in a VERY hot climate. Thanks, and keep it up!

[simon-cy]

Here in Australia it is just the opposite! We don't get the base model of the volvo - only the NMC longer range model... I thought the EV3 was LFP, now I have to search and find out.

[Skibber]

I don't understand why we are forced to buy EV's with the bad NMC batteries. Kia produces EV3's with LFP batteries for the Chinese market. I would much prefer an LFP battery because I don't need the extra energy density. I would rather like a more robust and safe LFP battery.

[The_Observer]

It all comes down to the pricing of the EV3 which is unknown.
EV3 standard battery towing: 300 kg.
EX30 standard battery towing: 1600 kg.

[austinplanks]

Actually couldn't fit in the back of the volvo and I'm under 6ft. Current e-Niro on 56k miles. No degradation of net capacity so far. Kia know how to manage batteries. EV3 likely to be no different.

[nvca]

You only compared the batteries and didn't even mention the sensitivity to low temperatures, where the LFP battery really sucks way more than a LiPo. Also the data isn't correct regarding the LiPo's lifespan, its way more than you mentioned.
The Volvo has no real cockpit which I wouldn't mind if it was all autonomous, but we are not there yet and so I prefer a car with HUD and big displays around you in order to monitor everything ... e.g. setting the turn signal and seeing in your cockpit what you would see if you looked back into that direction is a great help to the usual visualization of cars around you in your cockpit.
It doesn't have buttons for fast climate adjustments or other stuff you don't want to look for in touch sub menus while driving ... Kia/Hyundai/Genesis does a nice hybrid between buttons, touch and voice control.
Also the Volvo doesn't support I-pedal until full stop, so you still need to switch between brake and power, which is uncomfortable. The smart driving features of the EV3 are supposed to be way advanced with augmented reality in the HUD and nav display, e.g. automatically slowing down in the roundabout while me Niro EV is jerking you around accelerating as soon as the the car in front of you is not directly in front of you, no matter how your steering angle is, it will accelerate. This is why I switch to i-pedal every time I enter a roundabout and then press resume to continue with automatic speed and distance control. Also the range will be way more than the Volvo and the space in the backseats is a joke in the Volvo compared to the Niro EV and EV3.
Also the Volvo is smaller than my Niro EV and has way less range with the same battery size. Does it have 230V with 3KW AC to operate utilities while camping?
There will also be two AWD versions of the EV3, but they will not be with max 300HP not as powerful as the Volvo with I believe 430HP, which way more than anybody needs.
I do like the fact that the Volvo is supposed to be built in Belgium in 2025, which is great for the environment and our European economy and not shipped around the planet like most Kia's usually have to. The Volvo is supposed to have a very well tuned suspension and I am very curious how the EV3 will do ... will test drive it in October.
I believe the Volvo used to be a lot of car for your money, but I will not be anywhere near what the new EV3 will offer for less money.
What I find very dumb regarding Kia's model politics is that the best equipped version ("GT-Line") will ALWAYS come with the larger rims, meaning more noise and less range, which is really stupid. So if you want the most comfortable EV3 with max range, you got to go with the "Earth" model.
I personally find the EV3 exterior design not great, I even find the Niro EV better, which is not exactly a beautiful car either, but since I sit on the inside while driving I don't care, because I love its interior. The EV4 is going to be a nice car without this stupid SUV design for an EV, where efficiency matters, but its going to be released in Q1 2025. I think that would be my ideal car because it is more streamlined than these compact SUVs and with a bigger battery it may make up to 700km/charge or safe 500km in real life 10-80% use.

[contra_plano]

If NMC as 20% degradation, buy with more 20%.
My 10 years old Nmc still works, but with less capacity

[Damadchef]

I totally agree about the battery chemistry.... But you missed the best thing about the Kia EV3 Bidirectional charging V2G V2L V2H .. I was disappointed to learn about the NMC battery but being able to use ithe EVe as a home battery changes everything

[austinplanks]

Very cramped in the back of the Volvo. LFP would be great but small battery, and it's not that efficient

[matt]

Great video! Thanks! Still learning the difference in different batteries and features of EVs. Would like to see a comparison of the EX30 and the Equinox EV.

[J.R.-yhdu]

I test drove the Volvo with an LFP battery and I loved it. My thoughts are the same, that Volvo is better because of the LFP battery. But I still want to test drive the Kia ev3.
I like the line of thinking that you have.