Volvo C30 T5 automatic 2007 review

Nobody has ever argued successfully that the lads and lasses at Volvo have spent the long watches of their winter darkness being anything but serious. Serious about safety, serious about practicality, serious about... well, just about everything, really.

The 144, the 240, the 440, the 740, et al — it's fairly obvious that nobody with any sense of fun came within a long day's march of any of these safe, practical and boring cars.

Well, things have changed at Volvo. The C30 is a compact two-door hatch that looks back almost four decades to the P1800 — the original car of choice for Simon Templar (The Saint) — to encourage the younger designer brigade to take a giant leap forward. It is clear the C30 designers have peeked more than once at the 1800ES when sketching the little hatch's deep-set rear glass with its natty in-built latch.

Aimed squarely at getting fresh blood into the Volvo family, the C30 has not stepped away from the Swedish icon's core values of safety and premium product but the result of a little freedom and a large dash of youth has seen style and function intertwine in a way that is all Volvo.

It is also a stack of fun, so much so that the car has genuine claims to being a Scandinavian Mini with functionality. As a styling statement, the C30 is anything but subtle.

Off the same wildly successful C1 platform that has spawned the Ford Focus, Mazda3, S40 and V40 and the new C70, the C30's body has been shortened until the wheels sit as far to the corners of the car as possible.

That styling device, utilised brilliantly by Mini, not only gives the car a squat, strong and purposeful presence but allows for maximum use of interior space in what is, after all, a compact package. From the front, the C30 is unmistakably Volvo. The grille, headlights and sweeping, boat-like bonnet shape are key indicators of the marque. However, it is from the rear that the little C30 gets really funky.

The glass tailgate, surrounded by what seems like endless tail-lights, immediately catches the eye. Sitting atop the car's (relatively) enormous square haunches, the look is engaging, daring and like nothing else in recent Volvo history. Inside, the C30 is a functional tour de force — with one exception. Everything has a place and a purpose — the purpose being to make driver and passengers feel comfortable and at home.

The leather seats in the test car were supportive and comfortable in the front and as practical as could reasonably be expected for the rear.

A single shortcoming of the coupe is that the driver's seat, which can be electronically moved forward via a button on the shoulder of the seat to allow for rear seat access, does not automatically return to the driver's chosen position when the seat back is clicked back into place.

It leads to a rather annoying need to resettle the exact-same driving position each time somebody enters or leaves the rear seat via the driver's side. However, with no pretence at being able to cram three people into the back seat, the two who do end up there will enjoy sculptured seats with ample shoulder room, good headroom — and just a bit of a squeeze for the knees if the front pair drive “long”.

Making the experience a little more “human” (something at which Volvo seems particularly adept), the rear seats have been shifted inboard slightly, serving two purposes: improving side-impact safety and providing a more sociable position offset from the backs of the front seats. There is also plenty of useable boot space, which can be enhanced by folding either or both the rear seats flat. Having said that, you aren't going to be able to move house in a C30.

Volvo's patented side impact (SIPS), rear-impact (WHIPS) and six airbags — including full-length curtain bags — come as standard on all models.

The T5 model, as tested, comes standard with a dynamic stability and traction control program, while the other models get a more basic but still good stability and traction system.

Anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assist are standard, as is cruise control, a trip computer and climate control.

The brake feel is initially soft but trust them and they do pull the car down very efficiently. It just takes a little getting used to.

The audio system is a quality eight-speaker unit with Dolby Logic II sound and Volvo's classic large controls which make adjustment by the driver both easy and safe.

The floating centre console, which first appeared in the S40, has been retained and, in keeping with the C30's fun factor, this can be personalised with a wave pattern aluminium model or a funky white plastic based on the iPod look. The interior leather treatment comes in a colour palette from black to cream and there's the option of mix-and-match inserts for the seat panels — which are offered in both toned leather or cloth.

However, Volvo Australia has wisely declined the European option of highlighting black upholstery with red inserts and carpets.

Dynamically the C30 is difficult to fault — which is hardly surprising given its heritage.

A compact, solid body, generous track width and a relatively long wheelbase contribute to the car's stable driving characteristics.

The chassis, with MacPherson front-end suspension and a multilink rear axle, gives the C30 a reassuring stability and predictability. Pump the throttle on the T5 — a five-cylinder in-line turbo unit shared with Ford's red-hot XR5 — and there is momentary front-end twist and jump.

Also not surprising given the 2.5-litre powerplant is dumping its considerable 320Nm of torque from just 1500rpm through the front wheels. It is all a little too much for the traction control to hide completely, but disconcerting it isn't.

The electro-hydraulic steering has a reassuring weight and offers constant feedback, but some drivers with smaller hands could find the chunky wheel something of a stretch.

In keeping with the sensibly large radio knobs on the centre console, the wheel-mounted buttons are well placed and simple to operate.

Ride quality can be a touch harsh on the slightly lower and stiffer sports suspension in the T5. With the combination of 17-inch rims and low-profile 205/50 rubber it is not surprising that the occasional thump makes its way into the cabin. And because it weighs in at just 1347kg, the C30 is a willing participant when driven enthusiastically. The five-speed Geartronic automatic offers the option of manual shifting but after a short play the tendency will be to let the box make its own choices. It does so with some competence as the turbo boost kicks in low and long.

Volvo claims a combined economy figure of 9.4 litres per 100km for the T5 auto, a figure never really approached on test ... but in all honesty, we weren't driving for economy.

 The Bottom Line

Get in while the fun lasts. A guaranteed good time to be had.
 

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Snapshot

VOLVO C30 T5

Price:............... $43,950

Engine: ............ 2.5L/5-cylinder turbo 162kW, 320Nm

Transmission: ... 5-speed auto

Economy: ........ 9.4L/100km

The Rivals

FORD XR5

Price:............... $35,990

Engine:............ 2.5L/5-cyl turbo 166kW, 320Nm

Transmission: ... 6-speed manual

Economy: ........ 9.3L/100km

GOLF GTI

Price: ................ $42,100

Engine: ............ 2.0L/4-cyl turbo 147kW, 280Nm

Transmission: ... 6-speed DSG auto

Economy: ........ 8.1L/100km

RENAULT MEGANE SPORT CUP

Price: ............... $44,490

Engine: ............ 2.0L/4-cyl turbo 165kW, 300Nm

Transmission: ... 6-speed manual

Economy: ........ 8.8L/100km