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Road test: Volvo C30 2.0D R-Design SE Sport
Road test: Volvo C30 2.0D R-Design SE Sport
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The C30's mission is to attract younger people into Volvo ownership, but will it tempt buyers out of their Audi's and BMW's?
Price: 2.0D R-Design SE Sport, as tested £21,295
On sale: Now
0-62mph: 8.8 seconds; top speed 127mph
Average fuel: 49.6 mpg
Standard equipment: body-coloured door handles and mirrors, a leather bound steering wheel and gearknob, electronic climate control, power windows, heated front seats, leather trim, power folding door mirrors, body-kit and 18" alloy wheels.
Tiscali verdict: 7/10 Volvo values mixed with sporty styling make a tempting combination.
Designed to attract buyers from the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series, the Volvo C30 is a new premium compact hatchback. Marketed as an attractive alternative to more mainstream opposition, target buyers will have active urban lifestyles. So what is the C30? Well, it's basically an S40 saloon with its tail chopped off and attractive hatchback metal work grafted on. But, what you really want to know is whether the C30 can cut it against the established opposition? After a week at the wheel I have my answer.
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The unique C30 looks really every bit the attractive, if conservative Volvo. Worthy of particular mention are the distinctive front headlight units and the bold front grille with the large Volvo logo - it's a particularly big badge and from the front you couldn't mistake the C30 for any rival. Other design highlights from the side include the C30's exaggerated shoulder line and windows which taper towards the tailgate. At the back, unique C30 features include the huge tail-lights which stretch to the C-pillar. Spiritual successor to the interestingly styled 480ES of the nineties', the use of the glass area to form the hatchback has to be more than coincidental. The shape works better with some colours than others. Our test car looked really sharp in black with the 18" Atreus alloy wheels.
The C30's equally nice to be in: there's a feeling of quality and solidity to the padded surfaces of the dashboard and doors; the front and rear seats are comfortable and supportive on long journeys and the dashboard with the floating centre console is stylish and easy to use. The high loading sill compromises the practicality of the glass hatched boot and the fiddly flexible luggage cover feels low rent. The glass rear hatch and floating centre console enable the driver to see right through the rear window to the centre armrest. In practice you'll keep the luggage cover in place if there's anything valuable in there.
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Despite its sporty looks and Ford Focus-based underpinnings, the C30 is rather average to drive. It lacks agility in the twisty stuff and the steering is not as precise as it could be. The steering feel, in my opinion is compromised by the over large steering wheel. Drive it on the limit and the C30 can attack the road at decent pace: I just wished there was a little more fun in doing it. The 2.0-litre diesel engine is excellent, with a broad powerband and loads of low down torque. The six-speed manual is well matched to the engine, feeling slick and smooth. Best at cruising, its long gearing makes it hard to tell you're driving a diesel and the touring range is an impressive 48.8mpg.
Fancy a closer look? Check out our Volvo C30 gallery
I like the C30, it's great to be seen in, should be painless to own and generally feels the premium product it's supposed to be. It's just a shame that the C30 is not more practical and fun to drive.
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