The C30 isn't your typical Volvo. It's the smallest Volvo and the most athletic. Volvo has succeeded in its mission to build a fun-to-drive, sporty car.
The turbocharged five-cylinder engine provides 227 hp and 236 pound-feet of torque all the way from 1500 to 5000 rpm. That means the C30 has good power both off the line and in highway passing maneuvers. The engine is responsive, with a minimum of turbo lag. Torque steer, felt through the steering wheel as a slight pull to one side under hard acceleration, is well checked, which is impressive for a front-wheel drive car with this much power.
With the standard six-speed manual transmission, the C30 is capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in just 6.2 seconds. That's quite quick, and comparable to the acceleration performance of the Volkswagen GTI. The manual shifter's throws are a little long and rubbery. It doesn't feel as sporty as some customers might like, but it is easy to shift.
With the optional automatic transmission, 0-60 mph comes in 6.6 seconds, which is still quite quick. The automatic transmission kicks down quickly when extra power is needed. It has a manual shiftgate for more driver control, but the C30 lacks the steering wheel-mounted paddles found in some of its competitors.
The turbocharged five-cylinder engine offers a nice balance of power and fuel economy. Under the tougher 2008 EPA guidelines, the engine is rated 18 mpg City and 28 Highway with the manual transmission and 18/27 mpg with the automatic. We expect most drivers will average 22 to 24 mpg depending on driving style.
On the road the C30 handles well, with flat cornering and fine balance in quick changes of direction. The 1.0 model, with its standard 17-inch tires, is a bit less sharp than the 2.0 model with its 18s. Steering in both models is direct, but it could stand to be a little quicker for a car with C30's sporty aspirations. Slow steering and big steering wheels are just part of the Volvo driving experience. The 2.0 model's sport suspension and larger wheels and tires provide a bit more road feel through the steering wheel.
Both models have a firm ride, but the 1.0 is smoother. While neither model feels harsh, the 2.0 is more prone to pounding over sharp bumps. The 1.0 model is close to the surprisingly refined VW GTI for ride quality, but the 2.0 has a rougher ride. The C30 looks better with the 2.0's larger wheels, but you'll want to try it before you buy, especially if you live in an area with bad roads.
The brakes have good pedal feel and fine stopping power. Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution assist the driver in emergency stopping situations. While the C30 is generally light on content, it's still a Volvo, which means it's safe. It has all the safety equipment, including front side and curtain side airbags, traction control, electronic stability control, and Volvo's WHIPS active head restraints that are designed to reduce the risk of whiplash.
