- Editor:
- New Car Test Drive
- Price As Tested:
- $25,150
“Stylish and fun to drive.”
Volvo aims at sportiness inside the C30, along with high-tech, Scandinavian style. Volvo's trademark floating center stack is the central design element. The brushed aluminum center stack's design is simple, with four round knobs for the main audio and climate controls. Along the center is another series of buttons for more audio and climate functions, including a telephone-like set of buttons for the audio presets. The R-Design model features additional aluminum trim, and handsome blue-faced gauges with white markings and red pointers.
The standard cloth upholstery is also unique. Volvo calls it Kalix T-Tech. It has the look of wetsuit material. Kalix has a higher quality appearance than most cloth, fitting somewhere between regular cloth and leather. The R-Design upgrades to a striking combination of black Flextech fabric with crème leather seating surfaces. (Full leather upholstery is available in both models.) Overall materials quality is typical Volvo, meaning excellent. The dash panel is made of a quality soft-touch material, and all the panels fit together with close, uniform gaps.
The C30 is comfortable, but not as comfortable as other Volvos, which are among the most cosseting cars available. The driver's seat has enough manual adjustments to tailor a comfortable driving position and enough side bolstering to keep backsides planted in corners. The front seats have plenty of head room and good leg room, though very tall drivers might wish for more seat travel. The tilt/telescoping steering wheel helps the driver adjust for a comfortable and proper driving position. The steering wheel seemed too big to us, though. Many manufacturers opt to go with a smaller diameter steering wheel for sporty cars, and the C30 would benefit from one, too.
Visibility is generally good, though Volvo's typically thick front pillars can restrict vision to the corners at intersections.
The audio system was given special attention as Volvo designed the C30 for young, active city dwellers. The standard radio is a capable 160-watt AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers. The upgrade is a 650-watt unit with 10 Dynaudio speakers and Sirius satellite radio with a six-month subscription. A USB port for iPod or flash drive connectivity is available as an accessory. It allows customers to control their iPods through the radio. The high-end stereo can really crank, and the sound is clear even at high volume.
The optional HDD-based navigation system has been upgraded for 2009 with an improved driver interface and scrolling feature, extended point-of-interest menu, and birdview map capability with detailed intersection and building footprints. Volvo has also added Map Care, a feature that sends two map updates without extra charge to the customer. Real Time Traffic (with no monthly charge) was added during the 2008 model year.
Interior storage consists two cupholders located ahead of a console bin that is just big enough to hold CD cases. Additional storage can be found behind the center stack in a rubberized tray. Unfortunately, it's hard to access. Map pockets are also located in the doors.
Though the C30's two-door body style doesn't encourage family use, the rear is fairly easy to access and offers decent room. The front seats tilt and slide forward to provide an open path to the rear seat, though it still requires passengers to twist and duck. Once inside, they sit back and into the seats. Leg room is good unless the front seats are far back and toe room under the front seats is plentiful. Head room is sufficient for six footers, but tall riders might need to slouch.
The C30's hatchback body style gives it a fair bit of utility. The rear seats fold to create a flat load floor with 20.2 cubic feet of easy-to-access cargo room. With the seats up, there is still 12.9 cubic feet, so you can pick up your groceries while driving with friends.
