Vehicle Reviews

The 2010 Volvo C30 is a four-seat, two-door hatchback offered in two trim levels - T5 and T5 R-Design. An intelligent choice among the small hatchbacks, the C30 competes with other small, premium cars such as the Volkswagen GTI and Mini Cooper S. It offers an exhilarating driving experience with turbocharged performance and dynamic handling. The C30 is the smallest Volvo, yet it offers the easily accessible cargo utility of a hatchback.

For 2010, the Volvo C30 gains standard Bluetooth and cruise control. Its earlier extensive customization program has been removed largely. However, a few custom features survive as additions to the revised options packages. The base T5 runs on 17-inch alloy wheels and has height-adjustable seats, a trip computer, cruise control, a 50/50-split-folding rear seat and full power accessories. A tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, Bluetooth and an eight-speaker CD audio system with an auxiliary audio jack are a few other important features. The T5 R-Design rides on elegant 18-inch wheels with bright fog lights and comes with a sport-tuned suspension, sporty exterior trim, partial leather upholstery, blue-face gauges and metallic interior trim. A number of both exterior and interior features can be had through optional packages. The Preferred Package adds power front seats, bi-xenon headlamps and keyless entry/ignition, as well as fog blights and aluminum interior trim on the T5. A 10-speaker Dynaudio surround-sound audio system and satellite radio is part of the Multimedia Package. Heated front seats, headlamp washers, automatic climate control and rain-sensing wipers are available through the Climate Package. Some stand-alone options like leather upholstery, a sunroof, a blind-spot information system and a navigation system with real-time traffic are also available.

An ace FWD model, the Volvo C30 is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-5 that produces 227 hp and 236 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a five-speed automatic is optional. The EPA estimated fuel economy figures stand at 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined.

The 2010 Volvo C30 comes with a wide range of advanced safety features like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), three-step driver and front passenger airbags, inflatable side curtains, and ISO-FIX baby/child seat attachment system. Side impact protection system, head restraints for all seats, dual-chamber side airbags, dynamic stability and traction control, immobilizer and theft-protected locks, anti-skid system, energy-absorbing frontal structure, Whiplash Protection System, seatbelts with pretensioners, tire pressure monitoring, are also standard and this way there's no shortage of safety in this Volvo.