Volvo C30 2.0 Powershift Review

Get out of town; how on Earth could any Volvo possibly be labeled as trendy?

Quite easily. You see unlike those galumphing square Volvos of the ‘80s and ‘90s the C30 is something of a looker thanks to its low coupé profile and avant-garde rear end. Further enhanced by some of the broadest, most defined shoulders in the business this progressive hatchling still manages to stand out from the crowd despite being four-years old. What’s more, Volvo now allows you to funk up your C30 with offensively loud paint jobs and contrasting white alloy wheels. Guaranteed to still turn a few heads at the traffic lights, that rock-solid interior is equally appealing with endless scope for customization: 11 shades of hide and five dashboard inlays are available. Hipsters will also enjoy the excellent acoustics woofed out by the block-rocking High Performance sound system.

Well I’m glad I won’t look like a boring old pillock if I buy one. How does it drive?

The C30 shares its underpinning with the current Ford Focus which means it’s actually quite a sweet thing to fire along the asphalt. Granted the steering is not quite as sharp or as feelsome as the Fords but that fine chassis and excellent driving position allow you to attack corners with gusto nonetheless. With zero understeer and lots of grip to be had from those 205/50 17-inch tyres, the C30 is safe, predictable and confidence inspiring.

It rides surprisingly well too; absorbing everyday road acne will real premium car polish.

Unfortunately Volvo’s two-litre engine isn’t the epitome of automotive muscle so there are precious little fireworks to be had when you mash the loud pedal into the carpet. That lazy six-speed Powershift transmission doesn’t help matters either for despite being silky smooth it’s certainly not the quickest of automated cog-swappers. No, if all out speed isn’t an issue then the C30 2.0 makes sense; otherwise I’d say save up for the hotter T5.

Does all this focus on style and substance mean that Volvo has skimped on safety?

Absolutely not. Yes the C30 2.0 may be a modish piece of boulevard flirt metal but it still comes loaded with the life-preserving integrity that the brand is so well known for. Boasting a five-star EURO NCAP rating this baby Volvo also comes standard with six airbags, whiplash protection and a switchable DSTC anti-skid system. All of this – plus a load of other techy features I won’t bore you with – consequently make the C30 2.0 one of the safest cars in its class. Proof then, I guess, that style and sensibility really can mix.

Who should buy one?

Those painfully hip graphic designer types who seem to spend their lives wired to their Apple laptops at coffee bars like Vida Café or Lulu. Self-styled individualists who take deep pride in being different, they’ll dig the C30s leftfield lines and love the fact that they can look cool without having to pocket a key to a “common” Cooper of “unnecessarily aggressive” Scirocco. And while tar-melting performance don’t interest them, neither should practicality because the C30, with its tiny boot, falls woefully short in this department. But as most of them are single this caveat won’t even register on their radars.

So what’s the final word?

While it’s a bit too slow for my liking the Volvo C30 2.0 still stands out as one of the most appealing “boutique” hatchbacks on the market today. Some might think it’s pricey but a mix of tasty exterior styling and high standards of build quality seem to justify every cent. It’s bold, it’s alternative and – here comes the clincher – one of the only cars wearing the Swedish iron mark that does anything to influence one’s heart rate. Get yours without the lethargic PowerShift box (a massive saving of R15 500) and you’ll enjoy a competent yet suave little motorcar that injects a whole lot of fun into A to B drudgery.

Volvo C30 2.0 at a glance:

Specs:

Engine: 1999cc four-cylinder petrol

Power: 107kW @ 6000rpm

Torque: 185Nm @ 4500rpm

0-100km/h: 9.7-seconds (claimed)

Top Speed: 205km/h (claimed)

Fuel Consumption: 8.1/100km (claimed) 9.4l/100km (achieved)

CO2: 194g/km

Price: From R273 300

We like:

Interesting styling

Refined and well built

Good dynamics

We Don’t:

Asthmatic engine

Limited interior space

Lethargic gearbox