Compare the2025 Volvo EX30VS 2024 Tesla Model 3

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the EX30 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The EX30 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the EX30’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Model 3 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The EX30 Ultra has a standard 360° Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model 3 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the EX30’s standard Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and Braking Intervention automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The EX30 has standard Volvo On Call, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the EX30 and the Model 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the EX30 for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Volvo will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Tesla doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Model 3.

There are over 46 percent more Volvo dealers than there are Tesla dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the EX30’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volvo vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. With 24 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Volvo higher than Tesla.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volvo vehicles are more reliable than Tesla With 7 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volvo higher than Tesla.

For better traction, the EX30’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model 3 (245/45R19 vs. 235/35R20).

For better maneuverability, the EX30’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Model 3’s (35.1 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The EX30 is 1 foot, 7.1 inches shorter than the Model 3, making the EX30 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The EX30 is 1 foot, 7.2 inches shorter than the Model 3 Performance.

The EX30 has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front hip room and .5 inches more rear headroom than the Model 3.

The EX30 has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Model 3 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the EX30 uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Model 3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the EX30 has a standard rear wiper. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.