Volvo C30 hatchback

Drive

The C30 has a vast range of engines. The 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol engines need to be worked quite hard and are not as good as the diesels. The 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine has 227bhp and is seriously quick, although it's only available in the flagship T5 R-DESIGN model. The 1.6-litre diesel comes with 108bhp or 114bhp. Neither of these engines make the Volvo particularly fast, but they're smooth and cheap to run. Go for the 2.0-litre diesel in 148bhp or 175bhp guise for punchy performance. The C30 feels composed on twisty roads and the steering is weighty but precise. The driving position is quite low, which adds to the sporty feel of the car.

Comfort

The C30's ride is quite bumpy at low speeds, but it improves when you're on the move. Overall, the Volvo is a comfortable long-distance companion. The seats are firm, though, and there is a little wind noise from around the mirrors once you get to cruising speed. The petrol engines and the 1.6-litre diesel are quiet, but the 2.0-litre diesel rattles at low speeds.

Reliability

Volvo is famed for its safety record, and the C30 is just as good as ever in this area. It has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and comes with front, side and curtain airbags as standard, as well as whiplash protection, electronic stability control and a side impact protection system. Blind spot indicators are available, while Bluetooth phone connectivity is an extra cost option, Volvo's Intelligent Driver Information system prevents the driver from receiving non-essential phone calls when the car is accelerating or braking heavily to avoid distraction. The C30 didn't appear in the 2010 Driver Power survey, but Volvo finished ninth out of 27 manufacturers in the JD Power Satisfaction survey, which is a good result. Build quality is excellent and good enough to rival BMW and Audi.

Practicality

Practicality is not the C30's strong point, as it's built for style rather than versatility. The boot is actually quite large at 433 litres, but the lack of a centre rear seat means the Volvo is a strict four-seater. The boot is difficult to access thanks to its small opening and high, sloping sides. There's a central storage area, which is handy, but the door pockets are slim and there are few other storage spaces around the interior.

Value for money

The C30 isn't the cheapest hatchback on the market, but next to premium German rivals like the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3, it looks like good value. The Volvo undercuts this upmarket competition by a significant amount. Every C30 gets climate control, alloy wheels, front electric windows and an MP3-compatible stereo. SE models add cruise control, automatic wipers and 17-inch alloy wheels, while the SE Sport gets 18-inch alloy wheels, a bodykit and leather steering wheel. SE Lux versions come with leather upholstery, heated front seats, an electrically adjustable driver's seat and electric folding door mirrors. At the top of the range is the R-DESIGN, which has an even sportier bodykit, lowered suspension and R-DESIGN logos throughout.

Running costs

The DRIVe 1.6 diesel is extremely economical with 74.3mpg, while emissions of 99g/km means annual Road Tax is free. The more powerful 114bhp 1.6 diesel isn't much dearer to run, although Road Tax costs £30 per year. The 2.0-litre diesel models offer 55.4mpg and 134g/km, while the 1.6 petrol averages 40.4mpg and emits 167g/km of CO2. The 2.0-litre petrol returns 37.2mpg and 177g/km, so road tax starts to look expensive at £200 per year. The 2.5 R-DESIGN is fast but not cheap with 32.5mpg - it emits 203g/km so road tax costs £235 per year. Resale values are reasonably strong, so the C30 is a safe place for your cash.