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Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric vs Volvo EX30
At a glance
In this comparison, Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric stays competitive across the board, while the Volvo EX30 leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Volvo EX30 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.3p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Volvo EX30 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueVolvo
Vauxhall
5
Volvo
5.9
FamilyVolvo
Vauxhall
3.4
Volvo
5
ChargingVolvo
Vauxhall
3.1
Volvo
5.7
Cost Per MileVolvo
Vauxhall
0.1
Volvo
3
City DrivingVolvo
Vauxhall
1.6
Volvo
6.2
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Volvo EX30
Single Motor
- £3,840 cheaper
- 50 kW faster rapid charging
- 19 min quicker 10-80% rapid charge
- 100 kW more power
- 5.2s quicker 0-62 mph
- 73 Wh/km more efficient
- 1.4 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Vauxhall Vivaro Life ElectricCombi | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £36,900 | £33,060 (better) |
| Official range | 213 miles (better) | 209 miles |
| Boot space | Not available | 400 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 45 min | 26 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 14.3 sec | 9.1 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
Volvo EX30
Length
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric4,981mm
Volvo EX304,233mm-748mm
Width
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric1,920mm
Volvo EX301,838mm-82mm
Height
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric1,935mm
Volvo EX301,550mm-385mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Vauxhall Vivaro Life ElectricCombi | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,981 mm | 4,233 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,920 mm | 1,838 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,032 mm |
| Height | 1,935 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.4 m | 11 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 480 mm spare | 562 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Vauxhall Vivaro Life ElectricCombi | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 9 (better) | 5 |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 821 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | Not available | 400 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1000 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 7 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 1,000 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric Combi |  Volvo EX30 Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.98m | 4.23m-748mm |
| Width | 1.92m | 1.84m-82mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.03m |
| Height | 1.94m | 1.55m-385mm |
| Wheelbase | Not available | 2.65m |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | Not available | 400L |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1000L |
| Frunk | Not available | 7L |
| Seats | 9 (better) | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 821mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.4m | 11m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,840kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,000kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 75kWh (better) | 51kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 213 mi (better) | 209 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 100kW | 150kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £36,900 | £33,060 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £35,400 (-£1,500) | £33,060 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | MPV | SUV |
| Available | 2024+ | 2024+ |
* Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric: Euro NCAP tested the platform under the 2015 protocol but the result page has since been retired. No current published rating.
* Volvo EX30: 11 kW AC on Core and Plus; Ultra has a 22 kW on-board charger.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Vauxhall Vivaro Life ElectricCombi | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 213 miles (better) | 209 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 152 miles (better) | 149 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 45 min | 26 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 100 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 242 Wh/km | 169 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 75 kWh (better) | 51 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Vauxhall Vivaro Life ElectricCombi | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 14.3 sec | 9.1 sec (better) |
| Power | 100 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 260 Nm | 343 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
Combi
Volvo EX30
Single Motor
7.5/10
average across 6 reviews
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
- Parkers4.1/5
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric Combi
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric Combi
Euro NCAP tested the platform under the 2015 protocol but the result page has since been retired. No current published rating.
Euro NCAP - Volvo EX30 Single Motor
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant88%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users79%
Safety Assist80%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Vauxhall Vivaro Life ElectricCombi | Volvo EX30Single Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,000 km | 160,934 km (better) |
Buying options
Get a quote
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Volvo EX30
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
No active listings.
Volvo EX30
- £26,1672024Car360View
- £27,5512025Car360View
- £23,4992024Browns of RichmondView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric worth the extra £3,840 over the Volvo EX30?
The Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric costs £3,840 more than the Volvo EX30. For that premium it adds 4 more seats (9 versus 5). The Volvo EX30 is not just cheaper - it also offers 50 kW faster peak rapid charging, 100 kW more power and a 5.2s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Volvo EX30 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric or the Volvo EX30?
The Volvo EX30 is £3,840 cheaper to buy. The Volvo EX30 is cheaper to charge, roughly £184 a year versus £264 for the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Volvo EX30 comes out roughly £4,240 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric and Volvo EX30 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 152 miles for the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric and 149 miles for the Volvo EX30 - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 45 minutes in the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric and 26 in the Volvo EX30, so the Volvo EX30 loses less time at each stop.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric or the Volvo EX30?
The Volvo EX30 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 82 mm narrower than the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 562 mm of total clearance for the Volvo EX30 and about 480 mm of total clearance for the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric. The Volvo EX30 also turns in a 1.4 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric or the Volvo EX30?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric and 90% for the Volvo EX30. That gives the Volvo EX30 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Volvo EX30's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric comparisons
More Volvo EX30 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric and Volvo EX30 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric and Volvo EX30 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric and Volvo EX30 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric and Volvo EX30 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric and Volvo EX30 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric and Volvo EX30 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
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Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .