As a small family car, the Volvo C30 seems to have other priorities that make it stand out from the rest of its competition. Although it has its limitations, the C30’s merits can still win for Volvo a specific type of audience looking for power and amazing styling.

Pros

The C30 has a broad range of engine choices for buyers. The choicest of the bunch are the powerful 1.8 litre petrol, which can accelerate to 62mph in 10 seconds, the 2 litre petrol with 145bhp and a similar impressive acceleration, and the exciting 2.4-litre turbocharged T5. This engine can hit 62mph in just 6.7 seconds, giving drivers a feeling of driving a hot hatch instead of a small family car. The diesel variants are much more relaxed than their petrol counterparts. They’re the 1.6 with 136bhp and the 2.4 D5 with 180bhp. The DRIVe models also give better economy.

For all its power, the C30 remarkably feels agile on the road, with great body control in corners. The ride is firm, but adequate suspension can keep most jolts out of the cabin. Comfort is ample when it comes to the Volvo C30’s seating. The driver’s seat is supportive and comes with a lot of adjustment settings. The back seats are angled towards the windows for a better view, and long rides are comfortable overall.

Style-wise, the C30’s interior and exterior appearance are very attractive. The dash is covered with soft-touch plastic, and the exterior is dominated by gutsy contours that make it unique in every angle. Buyers of the C30 will be delighted to know that the model holds a very competitive price and running cost in the market, especially when they take the DRIVe models. Security features are also generous in all trim levels. Volvo’s reliability record is quite admirable, and the C30’s standard fittings, including six airbags, deadlocks, stability control and others, reflect that.

Cons

The Volvo C30 can become pretty noisy when navigated on open roads, especially the diesel variants. Wind noise from the mirrors can also creep inside, and road noise can increase in rougher roads.

One thing that C30 miserably fails on is practicality. A lot of small family cars are way ahead of the C30 when it comes to interior spaciousness. The individual rear seats make for roomy rides, but the result is that the C30 fails to maximise its space more effectively. The boot space may also be smaller in reality because of the awkward lip shape and height. It won’t be easy to store bulky items inside this space. A storage area underneath the boot floor is helpful for smaller loads, but could be better.

The Volvo C30 delivers in a lot of aspects as a small family car. But when it comes to passenger and load capacity, the C30 lags behind its more practical counterparts in the segment. Those who can look past these limitations will greatly benefit with the car’s low running costs and complete security features. The C30’s powerful engine variants also make it a contender for 2-passenger families.

The Volvo C30 is a family-class car which was produced from 2006 to 2013. The car was based on the Volvo Safety Car Concept introduced at the 2001 Detroit Auto Show. The C30 itself was unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. It targets the younger market and first time Volvo buyers. Its top competitors include the MINI and the Audi A1. The car uses the Volvo 1 Platform, which it shares with the Volvo S40.

Volvo C30 continues the company’s legacy of creating safer cars for the road. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the car a Top Safety Pick award. The C30 was introduced to European markets in 2006, with North American markets following suit in 2007. In 2008 and 2009, multiple options for engine and trim lines were made available. New technology for the 2012 model year was also made available for better fuel efficiency and performance. Various concepts and editions were generated during its production.

In 2010, the C30 received an update which included new colour options and redesigned exterior fascia. In 2011, more engine options were released for the model. Between 2011 and 2013, an electric car version, the DRIVe Electric, was introduced at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.

Volvo announced the discontinuation of the line pending a lineup reshuffle in 2012.