The 2026 Volvo EX30 Is Better Than Ever. But It

The term “platform-sharing” has always been a dirty term in the history of the vehicle, but it’s a necessary thing for most brands. I get it, we’ve been done dirty in the past; no one likes to feel like their premium car brand is the equivalent of a Sysco Foods’ ghost kitchen.  

Any good cook will tell you, though, that the ingredients are only part of making an appealing dish. The rest is up to the skill of the cook and their ability to really transform a basic thing into something tasty. And the fact is that some automakers aren’t that good at cooking multiple dishes from the same set of ingredients, while others excel at it.

After seat time with the 2026 Volvo EX30, I’ve realized I’ve had time with an unusually high amount of Geely-Zeekr-Volvo’s SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) platform, specifically the smallest variant that underpins crossovers like this one. Like, I’ve driven pretty much all of them: the Volvo EX30, Zeekr X, Smart #3 and Lynk & Co Z20 (marketed as 02 in Europe), all save for the Smart #1. It’s one of the best differentiated vehicle platforms on the market, although I’m not quite sure that every iteration is as well executed.

Here’s a ranking of Geely’s littlest SEA platform cars, based on what I’ve experienced. 

Last Place: Volvo EX30

2026 Volvo EX30 Cross Country

Photo by: Kevin Williams/InsideEVs

I like the Volvo EX30’s Scandinavian minimalist design and tidy proportions. Out of all the SEA-1—that is, the smallest variant of the Geely/Zeekr SEA platform cars—the Volvo EX30 is physically the smallest, even smaller than the already dinky Smart #1. And yet, the car still gets the same full-fat, possibly overpowered, 422 dual motor setup as most of the cars on this chassis. It’s also the best at managing all that power—the China-spec versions of the Smart #3 Brabus and Zeekr X were a little too willing to disintegrate their tires when the throttle was mildly applied.

The EX30’s interior, though, is the worst of the bunch. The eco-friendly recycled materials are interesting to look at, but their quality feels average at best. There are very few soft-touch materials to be found in the cabin and it has the worst infotainment system of all of them. Compared to other iterations on this platform, the EX30’s center screen interface is jumbled and ugly, and the least intuitive to use out of all the cars on the platform. The interior room itself is limited, mostly because the EX30 is barely bigger than a Ford Fiesta. 

For American EV fans, this is the only SEA car they’ll have access to, at least for a while. But in other parts of the world, you have superior choices from this family.

Third Place: Zeekr X

Photo by: Patrick George

The Zeekr X is unusually opulent for such a small car. All Zeekr Xes come with a crazy high level of equipment, like self-closing doors for front and rear passengers, multiple refrigerators for both rows of seats, a HEPA filter, and facial recognition for vehicle entry. If you’re in China, the Zeekr X’s sliding infotainment screen is a cool party trick, even if the actual use case is kind of dubious. The interior itself is very rich, with real leather and soft-touch materials galore. Add in the incredibly smooth ride and hushed interior, and the Zeekr X might be the most sumptuous thing under 180 inches that money can buy.

Perhaps it’s too sumptuous, though. The Zeekr X has too much dip on its chip here; the level of equipment may be unseen in a. car of this type, but it’s almost overkill; the Zeekr X is often the priciest version of this chassis, although recent price cuts have made it about the same price as the Volvo EX30 in most markets.

Still, despite price cuts, the Zeekr X hasn’t resonated in most markets, where it struggles to sell. Even in China, where it’s priced about half as much (starting at as little as $21,000 compared to roughly $46,000 in Europe) as it is elsewhere in the world, it’s not sold as well as other premium small crossovers.

Also, the soft suspension and creamy ride quality come at the expense of all handling ability. The Zeekr X’s dynamic chops are akin to an old American land yacht, not a small crossover from a premium brand. Perhaps that’s the biggest reason why some aren’t buying.

Second Place: Smart #3

Smart #3

The Smart #3 is the odd man out here in the group. True, the Smart brand is wholly owned by Geely Group now, but it still touts its connection to Mercedes-Benz via a plaque on the B pillar to let everyone know who styled the car. Despite sharing the same basic chassis, battery, and up to 422 horsepower as the Volvo EX30 and Zeekr X, the Smart #3 (and its shorter #1) sibling doesn’t feel all that related at all. 

In principle, the Smart is meant to take direct aim at Mini. This means the interior and driving experience is premium yet playful. For example, the Smart’s vehicle assistant is a cartoon fox. It’s also the only car that has simulated engine noise and acceleration sounds.

Out of all the cars on this chassis I’ve driven, I personally like the #3 the most. The driving position is relatively low, while the extra wheelbase gives the #3 a bit more predictability in corners. Like all of the other models, the AWD models are very fast, but the Brabus felt unusually tail-happy for a small car. I think the Smart versions of this platform have the most personality, even if the interior quality and software experience are only marginally better than the EX30.

But the best all-arounder comes from yet another Geely Group brand.

Top Billing: Lynk & Co Z20 

Photo by: Patrick George

The Lynk & Co Z20 is the latest iteration of SEA’s small chassis here, and it seems to be the best executed. It feels like it’s blending the best of all the variants we’ve seen thus far, with updates that make the car more efficient. The Z20’s interior nearly matches the sumptuousness of the Zeekr X, but without being overstuffed with weird luxury gimmicks that no one uses.

The longer wheelbase gives the Z20 a usable back seat, while remaining fairly petite for a lot of European markets. In China, the Z20 can be had for as little as $19,000. The European 02 may not be nearly as cheap, but the expected $41,000 base price is very competitive, undercutting its Volvo sibling. 

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have AWD, but it makes up for it with a new Zeekr-developed rear motor that splits the difference in power between its RWD and AWD siblings in power, while promising to be more efficient on the road. It works; the 335-horsepower rear motor will snatch the car to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.3 seconds. It does all of this with a suspension setup that is significantly better resolved than the Zeekr X. The Z20’s steering feel and chassis calibration are well balanced between comfort and sport, whereas the Zeekr X is all comfort. 

It’s just such a well-rounded product. In fact, it’s the best-rounded product of the group.

Verdict

Photo by: Patrick George

Even if each car may not be executed as well as the others, Geely should still be applauded for making each iteration feel so different. 

As cars continue to electrify, and manufacturers continue to buddy up and share development on complicated electrified platforms, some are concerned that it won’t be easy to differentiate vehicles from each other.

Geely proves it can be done. But it’s also not easy.

Contact the author: kevin.williams@insideevs.com