Overall rating:

The small boot and lack of rear legroom lets it down a bit, but other than that the Volvo C30 is a fine premium hatch. It's cheap to run, well priced and has enough kit to satisfy most, but its main selling point is the styling. Whether you're a fan of the marque or not, there's no denying that the C30 is a very handsome thing indeed. Having such a cool looking car in the range can't have done Volvo's image any harm either.

Key Facts

Model tested: Volvo C30 D2 SE
Pricing: £19,770 (as at November 2010)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: three-door hatchback
Rivals: Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Volkswagen Golf
CO₂ emissions: 114g/km
Combined economy: 65.7mpg
Top speed: 121mph
0-62mph: 11.3 seconds
Power: 113bhp at 3,600rpm
Torque: 199lb.ft at 1,750 - 2,500rpm

Inside & Out:

With or without a teenage vampire with a quiff behind the wheel, there's no denying that Volvo's C30 is a cool looking car. It brings a welcome dose of unique style to a segment that it dominated by the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3. Need we say more?

The latest facelifted version appears a lot sharper than its predecessor up front, with reshaped angular headlamps and a distinctive, squat stance. Things are more sedate inside, with a simple dashboard, very similar to that of the Volvo S40. The 'floating' centre console is there too, which adds to the Volvo's distinction.

The downside is the lack of practicality, as the Volvo only has a 251-litre boot. You can extend the load area to 894 litres with the rear seats down, but this is not a hatchback for a growing family.

Ride & Handling:

Firm suspension gives the Volvo C30 quite a sporty presence. Turn-in is reasonably sharp and the steering is well weighted, if a little numb. Thread it through some twisty bits and the Volvo hangs on well and remains thoroughly composed. There's plenty of grip, hardly any body roll and the handling is predictable.

The trade-off is that the ride is quite firm. You'll notice rough surfaces quite a lot, though the Volvo begins to take bumps in its stride as it picks up speed. Get a bit of motion going on the motorway and it actually becomes quite comfortable.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money: four stars
Our SE spec test car certainly wasn't short of kit. Cruise control, automatic wipers and 17-inch alloys were just a few of the plentiful extras. At £19,770, it's a good deal cheaper than an equivalent BMW 1 Series, too.

The DRIVe C30s are the most economical in the range, but you'll pay a £500 premium for them, so the standard car makes sense if you're covering normal or modest mileage. Even so, 65.7mpg on average and emissions of 114g/km are pretty impressive.

Engine & Transmission:

Volvo's 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine isn't the most potent of oil burners, nor is it the most refined. It will get going eventually but needs a bit more encouragement than most engines of its size - the power delivery is smooth rather than punchy as you'd expect from a diesel.

The same goes for the gearbox, really. The six-speed transmission is smooth enough and does the job, but it's not particularly memorable and the shift action is quite rubbery.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

Our SE spec test car certainly wasn't short of kit. Cruise control, automatic wipers and 17-inch alloys were just a few of the plentiful extras. At £19,770, it's a good deal cheaper than an equivalent BMW 1 Series, too.

The DRIVe C30s are the most economical in the range, but you'll pay a £500 premium for them, so the standard car makes sense if you're covering normal or modest mileage. Even so, 65.7mpg on average and emissions of 114g/km are pretty impressive.