Category: Small Family 
Price Range: £16,245 to £21,360
Good-looking, classy small hatchback; solid and safe; comfortable and fun to drive.
Not hugely practical; access to rear seats awkward; rather expensive.
All the usual Volvo virtues - except lots of luggage-space - in an attractive, compact package.
The DRIVe has had its suspension lowered by 10mm to improve aerodynamics, but Volvo has fitted softer springs to compensate. It gives a bit of a bouncy ride, however, and does tend to judder in and out of urban potholes. Those 16" Libra wheels do look lovely, though, and are utterly unique. 17" wheels are optional.
The C30's ride is otherwise refined, with good soundproofing and - as usual in a Volvo - very well-designed, power-adjustable front seats. These are supportive to the back and upper legs - but shame they're so slow to move when you need access to the rear seats, and have no memory settings.
Rear legroom's not great, but two adults can fit in there if needed. The boot's usable even though the loading aperture is small, and the boot floor and sill high. The rear seats fold forwards, but do not split or tumble. Other storage and stowage facilities are limited, with only a tiny glovebox, small central console and door pockets.
Specification levels are the same as for other C30s, with the R-Design package on offer, and options include the BLIS blind-spot warning system, rear parking sensors and a high-spec audio system.
All models have dual-zone climate control. Beware, though, the DRIVe is already £250 dearer than the 1.6 diesel it replaces, and it'd be easy to tot up to a £16,500 package. That's expensive for such a small car.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Volvo C30
wrote on 23 07 2007