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If you are looking for a car that rivals the Volkswagen Golf but is more stylish and a little rarer than the Golf, then the Volvo C30 is a suitable choice. It is a 3-door medium-sized executive hatchback that combines the Ford Focus's reliable mechanicals with good build quality and style. Although its production ended in 2013, you can still find used Volvo C30 for sale on MOTORS Read our expert Volvo review for more information.
The Volvo C30 was the first hatchback by the Swedish carmaker and one of the few models the brand ever produced targeting young drivers. Its comfortable interior and fine driving quality saw it go head-on with class leaders such as BMW 1-series and VW Golf. The car had an extensive engine range, and by the close of its production in 2013, there were over 8 options. In terms of performance, you get what you pay for with the sluggish 1.6-litre engine delivering a decent 98 HP and attaining 62 mph from a standstill in 11.5 seconds. The top range T5 engine is almost twice as fast, reaching the 62 mph mark in about 6.5 seconds with a maximum speed of 149 mph.
The Volvo C30 has an undeniably robust build and can survive the extreme driving conditions of the Scandinavian winter, which is much worse than the UK winter. The car comes in 4 main trims, the S, SE, SE Lux and the SE Sport. The key features in the base model are:
Going up the SE Sport's spec level gives you 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and a multi-function steering wheel. The additional equipment to expect in higher-spec trims in the 2010 and later versions of the C30 include:
A worthy upgrade pack is the Communications Pack with telephone integration, Sat-Nav and a handy blind spot information system.
Greenest
1.6 S 3dr
Cheapest
1.6 S 3dr
Fastest
T5 SE 3dr
The most economical of all the engines available for the C30 was the 1.6-litre diesel D2 engine, as it returned 78.5 mpg with 94 kg/km of CO2 emissions. However, expect these to be lower in actual driving. Petrol options offer between 35-45 mpg, but the least frugal is the range-topping 230 bhp T5 engine that struggles to hit above 20 mpg.
Volvo offered 5 petrol and 3 diesel engine options to its buyers, with the choice depending on what you wanted the Volvo C30 to achieve. If performance, power and speed are a priority, the turbocharged 5-cylinder T5 engine is the ideal choice. However, if frugality is the deal-breaker for you, opt for the less powerful 1.6-litre diesel engine with a start/stop technology.
The is an optional package that you can add to the C30 to make it sportier. Since it transforms both the car's interior and exterior, it makes the ride look like a different version of the C30. Adding the R-Design pack on the base trim, for example, gives it 17-inch alloy wheels, while in the case of the SE Sport, it retains its 18-inch but gets all the other additional features such as a roof spoiler that matches the body trim. Generally, any Volvo C30 on sale with the R-Design added will have a more premium feel and attractive styling than its standard trim options.
The driver enjoys the best comfort that the C30 offers, including lumbar support and driving position. The front passenger also gets more legroom than those in the rear seats. The seats are slightly firm but are comfortable for long drives, and the cabin is adequately noise-proofed with quiet engines. However, you will hear some wind noise if you sit too close to the windows.
The hatchback scores low in practicality as the tailgate's shape makes the boot less user-friendly to a high load lip. The boot space is 433 litres but increases to 894 litres with the rear seats folded down. The car also comes with a load cover if you need to keep your luggage out of sight, but the cover isn't retractable, minimising the boot's practicality further.
The C30 extended Volvo's superb safety record, attaining 5-stars in the . Some of the safety features in the C30 include intelligent driver-assist features such as a driver information system that delays non-essential information and phone calls during critical operations such as heavy braking or acceleration. Other safety features include whiplash and side-impact protection, side and curtain airbags and blind-spot indicators.
* Telephone numbers starting with 084X or 087X will cost you up to 13p per minute plus your telephone company's access charge. Calls to other telephone numbers will only cost your phone company's access charge.
