Volvo EX30 vs GWM Ora vs Mini SE – South Africa’s cheapest electric car comparison

Volvo recently unveiled its new EX30, an electric crossover with a starting price of R775,900.

This window sticker makes the Volvo the cheapest battery-powered SUV in South Africa, and the third-cheapest electric vehicle (EV).

In its immediate vicinity, the EX30 has to compete with the R742,102 Mini Cooper SE, as well as the recently-revealed GWM Ora which is going on sale soon for R716,900.

In fact, these three units are the only battery-powered autos in the country that sell for under seven figures, as the next-most-affordable one in line, yet another Volvo, goes for R1,075,000.

Range, performance, and charging

Range, performance, and charging, not necessarily in that order, are the most important aspects when it comes to EVs.

The specifications of the three rivals in these categories are detailed in the below table:

Battery tech has come a long way in recent years, which is clearly visible when looking at the capacities of the modules within these vehicles.

The Mini, GWM, and Volvo are all around four metres long and well under two metres wide, but the newer Ora and EX30 boast considerably larger battery packs than the Cooper SE and therefore noticeably more range, as well as higher maximum charging speeds which allow them to replenish energy much quicker when out and about in public.

The Volvo, being the most powerful of the lot, is also quite quick as it reaches 100km/h in under six seconds, right in the middle of hot hatch territory, whereas the GWM and Mini aren’t very slow but not that fast, either.

Feature highlights

Being EVs, all three of these models have high-end features that are generally reserved for luxury-focused cars and not entry-level options.

Despite being the oldest EV under the microscope, the Mini brings niceties including a Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel, ambient lighting, a Harman Kardon sound system, cruise control, keyless entry start, Matrix LED headlights, climate control, a 5-inch digital driver display, and an 8.8-inch infotainment screen which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The GWM and Volvo further offer wireless charging, 360-degree cameras, electric seats, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection, lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, and traffic sign recognition.

As the name implies, the Mini is also the smallest of the EVs, occupying dimensions of 3,850mm long, 1,727mm wide, and 1,432mm tall which translates to a boot capacity of 211 litres.

The GWM, on the other hand, comes in at 4,235mm, 1,603mm, and 1,825mm with a boot of 228 litres, whereas the Volvo crossover is, as expected, the largest specimen at 4,233mm, 1,836mm, and 1,549mm, providing 380 litres of storage.

GWM Ora

Mini Cooper SE

Volvo EX30