There’s winter, and then there’s Swedish Lapland, a place where snow blankets the land for months, where lakes freeze into endless stretches of ice, and where Volvo chose to unveil its most adventurous electric SUV yet: the EX30 Cross Country. More than just a car, it’s a statement. Winter isn’t something to endure—it’s something to embrace.
From the City to the Wilderness
The journey starts in Luleå, where the Arctic air instantly reminds us we’re far from home. A Volvo XC90 carries us through snow-packed roads, deeper into the wilderness, toward something special.
At the end of the drive, a secluded Scandinavian cabin comes into view. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, wooden walls warmed by firelight and untouched snow stretching to the horizon. And then, from the frozen lake, the EX30 Cross Country makes its entrance.
Raised suspension, all-terrain tires, all-wheel drive. It’s built for this. The design takes inspiration from Sweden’s wilderness, proving that small SUVs can be just as rugged as their bigger counterparts. Inside the cabin, a fireside chat unpacks the design philosophy behind the car.
Aurora Dreams & Arctic Treks
A short drive takes us to The Aurora Village, where we check into cozy glass-roofed pods, the perfect place to wait for the northern lights. But before night sets in, the wilderness calls.
Layered up, we head out for a snow trek, weaving through frozen landscapes that seem untouched by time. The cold bites, but the silence is something else. Pure, vast, uninterrupted. At a hidden Volvo outpost, a fire crackles, and we’re treated to grilled mushroom wraps with locally made cheese—smoky and simple, yet perfect for the setting.
Back at the lodge, we prepare for the evening. Norrbotten Destilleri crafts the drinks, while the chefs prepare a three-course feast. It was a true celebration of northern flavors. As the meal winds down, all eyes turn to the sky.
Anticipation builds for the aurora. The night is still, the stars impossibly bright. But the northern lights? Tonight, they remain hidden. And yet, there’s something about standing in this vast, frozen landscape, under a sky full of stars, that feels just as magical.
Ice Tracks & Pushing Limits
Morning comes, and so does the drive even further north. The destination? A frozen lake turned ice track, where we push the latest Volvos to their limits.
The EX90 impresses with its rock-solid stability—so much so that even when we try to slide, the safety systems step in effortlessly. The EX30 Cross Country is compact and nimble. Confident on ice, it grips where it should and lets loose when allowed.
With higher ground clearance, all-wheel drive, and rugged detailing, it’s not just built for adventure. It encourages it.
A Winter Escape Done Right
As we make our way back south, one thing is clear: Volvo hasn’t just launched a car. They’ve launched a mindset. The EX30 Cross Country isn’t about enduring winter.
It’s about embracing it.
