For The R-Design package brings an athletic-looking bodykit and sharper handling, while moving up to the 2.0-litre petrol engine has little impact on economy or emissions over the 1.6 version, yet brings noticeable improvements in performance.

Against Has the looks and attitude, but not quite the outright oomph to live with proper hot hatches that cost the same sort of money.

Volvo C30 Hatchback

What Car? says

2 out of 5 stars

Quick enough to be entertaining and make the most of the handling, but not quite in the hot hatch league that its looks suggest. With that in mind, save some money, and stick with the 1.6-litre diesel version.

What Car? readers say

3.84
Calculate equipment options
Comfort
Electric steering adjust Not Available
Electric Sunroof £610
Manual sunroof Not Available
Air conditioning Not Available
Cruise control Standard
Electric mirrors Standard
Heated mirrors Standard
Electric windows front Standard
Electric windows rear Not Available
Seat height adjustment Standard
Climate Control Standard
Power Steering Standard
Steering adjustment reach Standard
Steering adjustment rake Standard
Power Seats £580
Heated Seats £275
Panoramic sunroof Not Available
Electric Panoramic Sunroof Not Available
Power Folding Mirror £205
Engine & Transmission
Auto Not Available
CVT Not Available
Tiptronic Not Available
Particulate filter Not Available
Entertainment
Radio/Cassette Not Available
RDS Radio/Cassette Not Available
CD Standard
Multi CD Not Available
MP3/iPod Connection Standard
DVD Player Not Available
MP3 CD Player £410
RDS CD Standard
Hard Drive Not Available
Exterior
Metallic paint £540
Alloy wheels Standard
Front Foglights Standard
Powered sliding doors Not Available
Interior
Hands Free Phone Kit £530
Satellite navigation £1,535
Leather Seats Not Available
Split/fold seats Not Available
Bluetooth £275
7 seat pack Not Available
Safety
Passenger airbag Standard
Side airbags Standard
ABS Standard
3 Point centre belt Not Available
Driver's airbag Standard
Belt pretensioners Standard
Passenger airbag Standard
Side airbags Standard
ABS Standard
3 Point centre belt Not Available
Driver's airbag Standard
Belt pretensioners Standard
Isofix Standard
Side Impact Bars Standard
Traction control Standard
Curtain Airbag Standard
Rear Parking Sensor £385
Electronic stability programme Standard
On/Off Passenger Airbag Standard
Driver's knee airbag Not Available
Reversing Camera Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available
Lane Departure Warning Not Available
Front Parking Sensor Not Available
Passenger Knee Airbag Not Available
Security
Alarm Standard
Immobiliser Standard
Deadlocks Standard
Central locking Standard
Remote locking Standard
Unique fit stereo Standard
Marked Parts Standard
Etched Windows Not Available
Locking Wheel nuts Standard
Visible VIN Standard
Secure spare wheel Not Available
Satellite tracking Not Available
Laminated Glass £325
Options calculator Price
Electric Sunroof £610
Power Seats £580
Heated Seats £275
Power Folding Mirror £205
MP3 CD Player £410
Metallic paint £540
Hands Free Phone Kit £530
Satellite navigation £1,535
Bluetooth £275
Rear Parking Sensor £385
Laminated Glass £325
Total Price: £17,545
Running costs
Town mpg 26.2
Out of town mpg 48.7
Average mpg 37.2
Tank capacity (litres) 55
CO2 Rating (g/km) 177
Carbon offset cost £26
Green rating I
Insurance group 22
Typical insurance £640.00
% Value retained (3yrs/36000 miles) 43%
Typical contract hire £229.00
Pence per mile 47
Servicing costs - 3 years £939.00
Service intervals 18k/1yr
Warranty period 3yr/60k + 3yr Paint + 12yr Perforation + 1yr Breakdown
Three-year cost£17,157
Company car tax
Percentage charge 26
Benefit in kind £4,462.00
Tax payable 20% £892.00
Tax payable 40% £1,785.00

Performance and measurements

Body type Hatchback
Number of doors 3
Number of seats 4
Engine (cc/type) 1999/4
Number of Valves 16
Fuel type Unleaded
Max power (bhp/rpm) 143/6000
Pulling power (lb/ft) 136
Engine position F
Driven wheels Front
Length (mm) 4266
Width (mm) 1782
Height (mm) 1447
Front headroom (mm) 930
Front legroom (mm) 1040
Rear headroom (mm) 900
Rear kneeroom (mm) 660
Boot space (min ltr) 433
Boot space (max ltr) 947
Turning circle (m) 10.6
Towing weight (kg) 1350
Kerb weight (kg) 1341
Manufacturers figures
0-60 mph (secs) 8.8
Max speed (mph) 130
Euro NCAP Test Scores
Adult protection Unavailable
Child protection Unavailable
Pedestrian protection Unavailable

View the whole Volvo C30 Hatchback range