Used Volvo C30 Hatchback 2007-2013 review

A coupé might turn some heads, but for a lot of people, they're not versatile enough to work as an everyday vehicle. However, when the Volvo C30 arrived back in 2007, it aimed to change the status quo by draping some stylish coupé design elements over a small hatchback shape.

It may not have been a commercial or critical smash hit, but there's plenty of quirky goodness to like about it.

Engines & Performance: The C30 was built front-wheel drive only, but it can be found in manual or automatic form. There's also a decent range of engines to choose from. On the more sensible end, you have a modest, fuel efficient 1.6-litre diesel, while the sillier end features a 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol – the same one used in the Ford Focus ST of the time.

Ride & Handling: The driving experience is good by small hatchback standards, with decent body control and composure. It can't touch the Ford Fiesta for agility or fun, though, nor can it match a BMW 1 Series Coupé for balance or driver engagement.

The ride is a little firm and that goes mostly for R-Design cars. In other words, there are cushier cars out there – the Skoda Fabia, for instance.

Interior & Practicality: Next to many small coupés, the C30 is a fairly practical machine. However, against the usual small car suspects (your Fiestas and Fabias), it's very limited. The C30 isn't available as a five-door model, the rear seats (of which there are just two) aren't especially spacious and the boot is small.

On the plus side, the interior feels sturdy and the driving position is comfortable.

Trims & Equipment: All models are well equipped, with the entry-level S trim getting climate control, alloy wheels and electric windows, while SE trim adds cruise control, better-quality upholstery and steering wheel-mounted stereo controls. SE Lux models have leather upholstery and heated front seats, while the R-Design versions get sporty trim options.

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The diesel C30s are the most popular models, thanks to their frugal nature. The 1.6-litre diesel manages 57.6mpg and emits 129g/km of CO2, but the DRIVe versions beat that with average economy up to 74.3mpg (officially, at least) and emissions as low as 99g/km. The 2.0-litre diesel comes in at 48.7mpg and 153g/km and the 2.4-litre at 45.6mpg and 164g/km.

It's not a pretty picture with the petrol models. The 1.6-litre baby of the family can muster an official average of only 39.2mpg and emissions of 167g/km, the 1.8-litre does 38.7mpg and emits 174g/km, the 2.0-litre manages 37.2mpg and 177g/km, while the 2.5-litre turbo averages 31.4mpg and 211g/km of CO2.

Not only is servicing a C30 more expensive than similar cars from prestige brands, such Audi and BMW, but it's considerably more than small family car rivals such as the Honda Civic and VW Golf.

Although the smaller petrol models sit in insurance group 14, the popular diesels start at group 22. The most powerful petrol, the 2.5T, is in group 34.

Despite nine engines being on offer, only a few are worth serious consideration.

The 99bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine is acceptable, but can never be classed as fast, while the 123bhp 1.8-litre and a 143bhp 2.0-litre are swifter, but not exactly sporty. The turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol engine is full of character (hence it was also used in the Ford Focus ST), but is costly to run.

The majority of used C30s are diesels, and the 108bhp 1.6 is refined and punchy. A frugal DRIVe version was introduced 2008, and this was improved with the addition of an engine stop-start system. There's also a 134bhp 2.0-litre diesel and a 178bhp 2.4-litre.

All models are generously equipped, and the entry-level S trim gets climate control, alloy wheels and electric windows, while SE trim adds cruise control, better-quality upholstery and steering wheel-mounted stereo controls. SE Lux models have leather upholstery and heated front seats, while the R-Design versions get sporty trim options.

A comprehensive face-lift at the end of 2009 brought the C30 in line with newer members of the Volvo family.

Small hatchback rivals include the fun-to-drive Ford Fiesta, while coupé rivals include the also-fun-to-drive BMW 1 Series Coupé.

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