Review: Volvo’s EX30 is top for looks, power and luxury, but it did attract some unwanted attention

The perpetrator was not wearing a hoodie, tracksuit bottoms or designer runners — no, he was decked out in grey and white twinned with matching yellow feet and crooked beak.

Yes, a feral seagull who was so bold he landed on the freshly waxed bonnet of my Volvo EX30 all-electric Crossover SUV on Howth pier.

After eyeballing me for what seemed a lifetime, he then upped the intimidation by pecking at the wipers, lifting the arm up and snapping it back against the windscreen.

I slipped the car into reverse and tapped the throttle, but he clung on and remained defiant when I drove forward again.

He eventually flew off after a second attempt – only to return seconds later with a pal – both now determined to snatch my lunch.

Fearing a bombardment or worse, I decided Deer Park was a more fitting picnic area for both myself and the stunning little EV, which is not only Volvo’s cheapest model, but the best looking by far.

It’s hard not to be completely smitten by the futuristic look, with its gorgeous solid grille further complimented by the super slim Thor Hammer LED headlights and freshly designed logo in the centre.

The black roof, matching wing mirrors and star-shaped 19-inch alloys add a real touch of class, as does the choice of colours like Cloud Blue (above), Vapour Grey, Crystal White or Moss Yellow.

Inside, its a masterclass in minimalism, with a de-cluttered cockpit that’s dominated by a 12.3-inch iPad-like tablet screen. There’s no driver’s binnacle, no head-up display and no starter button.

Everything is operated through the touchscreen, which may not suit every driver, but on the upside, the display is super responsive and easy to navigate.

The seats – covered in petrol-blue vegan leather — are super comfy and adjustable in every direction. Three’s plenty of space up front, but the rear is a tad snug for six-footers thanks to the lack of foot wells in the floor. It has a decent boot, though, and can swallow up to 400 litres of luggage, while the frunk can take a further seven.

Being a Volvo, it’s heaving with safety tech, including front and rear radars plus a front vision camera.

This helps with the suite of anti-collision gizmos like blind-spot warning with steer assist, emergency braking, cross-traffic alert (front and rear), door opening alert, SIPS (side impact protection system) and whiplash protection.

Powering this mini marvel is a choice of either a 49 or 64kWh battery, with claimed ranges of 344 and 476 respectively and in two or all-wheel drive. Our test car (single motor extended range model) came with the bigger unit, which will see the motor generate up to 272bhp and a not-too-shabby 0-100kph sprint of 5.3 seconds.

Straight line acceleration is amazing and trumps all of its ICE rivals, but the weight of the battery takes it toll on agility and handling on more challenging roads. That charge can be levelled at all EVS, but the steering was overly light – perfect around town but a tad over-sensitive.

Range-wise, you’ll get nowhere close to the 476km and if, like me, your commute takes in longer jaunts at 120kph, then you can shave 30pc off in winter and 20pc in summer. Still, not too bad.

A fab little car, though, and one of my favourite EVs. If only three was a an anti-gull device, I’d buy one in the morning. Prices for the Volvo EX30 start at €38,596 including grants.

Sizzling 242 deals with Dacia and Toyota

​Dacia has announced sizzling summer deals across its range for 242 registrations, including 0pc finance on the Sandero and Sandero Stepway.

According to the Renault-owned Romanian brand, this deal amounts to savings for customers of over €2,000 versus high street banks.

Also availing of this offer is the brand’s flagship model Duster and the award-winning seven-seater Jogger, with estimated savings of over €1,250 from now until July 31.

The large family MPV now comes as a self-charging hybrid featuring a 1.6-litre petrol engine, two electric motors, multi-mode transmission and a 1.2kWh battery for super economy.

Meanwhile, Toyota is offering a trade-in booster of up to €1,750 and APR from as low as 3.9pc across its range of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles.

These offers include the new Toyota C-HR Hybrid (bottom) and Plug-in Hybrid (with Hybrid starting from €40,520) with a trade-in booster of €1,750.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid (starting from €46,530), also comes with a €1,750 trade-in booster and the new version comes with a pure electric driving range of up to 71km.

Other offers include trade-in of €750 on the Yaris Hybrid (from €27,805), €1,750 on the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid (from €54,550), as well as €1,500 on the Corolla Hybrid (€33,310) and Corolla Touring Sports (from €34,875), and €1,000 on the Toyota Corolla Saloon (from €34,255).

Those looking to go totally green can opt for the fully electric bZ4X crossover with APR from 3.9pc.

New Alfa 33 Stradale scoops top design award

The stunning new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale has won the coveted Design Concept Award at the renowned Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este – which since 1929 has crowned the most beautiful vintage cars, as well as the most fascinating prototypes since 2022. This award confirms the model as a unique and unrepeatable work of art in motion.

This is the fifth time an Alfa Romeo has received this award, and follows the Brera, 8C Competizione, 8C Spider, TZ3, and Alfa 4C concept models.

Alfa is also the only brand to have won both main prizes at the event, the Coppa d’Oro and Design Concept Award, in the same year — in 2002, with the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 and Alfa Romeo Brera, then again in 2012 with the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS (series 6, 1933) and Alfa Romeo 4C Concept.

This new supercar is available as a V6 with 650bhp or as a full EV with a stonking 750bhp and production is limited to 100 cars which are sold out.