Skip advert
Advertisement

Volvo C30 1.6 DRIVe

Green tweaks also give stylish hatch a boost

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars

* Price: £15,084* Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 107bhp* 0-60mph: 10.7 seconds* Top speed: 118mph* Economy: 62.8mpg* CO2: 115g/km* Equipment: Gearchange indicator light, electronic climate control, electric windows, six-speaker stereo, Bauxite interior trim* On sale: January

Creating a low-emission version of a car is easier to do on some models than others.

Advertisement - Article continues below

For Volvo, converting the S40 and V50 to put out less than 120g/km of CO2 was relatively simple. Doing the same thing to the smaller C30 proved more difficult.

On a shorter car, you have to work harder to make the same aerodynamic gains as on a longer model.

So as well as the new wheels and blanked-off grille of its big brothers, the C30 gets panels underneath, a diffuser and new rear bumper. There’s a bigger roof-mounted spoiler as well. The combined effect is that the C30 is the most striking of the three DRIVe models.

It uses the same 1.6-litre diesel engine as the S40 and V50, and comes with the longer gear ratios, too. Since the powerplant has been tweaked to offer ultimate fuel efficiency rather than performance, the smaller Volvo’s slightly lower weight translates into better economy of 64.2mpg and emissions of 115g/km.

Surprisingly, it doesn’t feel any quicker. And while the diesel’s throaty nature is better suited to the sportier C30 than the larger models, the Volvo hatch still doesn’t do enough to challenge the class leaders.

Rival: Focus ECOnetic
while Ford and Volvo hatches are mechanically very similar – they use the same engine – the Focus is more practical, better handling and more comfortable.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Our latest car deals

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,040Avg. savings £2,827 off RRP*Compare Offers
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,380Avg. savings £1,844 off RRP*Compare Offers
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,155Avg. savings £2,019 off RRP*Compare Offers
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,135Avg. savings £5,882 off RRP*Compare Offers
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

These used cars from 1985 just became tax-free classics
These used cars from 1985 just became tax-free classics header

These used cars from 1985 just became tax-free classics

Is it time to get on board with these 40-year-old cars that have just qualified for the historic vehicle road tax exemption?
Features
12 Jan 2025
Dacia Bigster to hit UK streets fast as brand signals high hopes for the new SUV
Dacia Bigster - reveal front

Dacia Bigster to hit UK streets fast as brand signals high hopes for the new SUV

UK brand director says buyers will not be left waiting for Bigster deliveries as they have been for Mk3 Duster
News
9 Jan 2025
Car Deal of the Day: simply brilliant new Skoda Elroq SUV for under £300 per month
Skoda Elroq - side static

Car Deal of the Day: simply brilliant new Skoda Elroq SUV for under £300 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 12 January is a great price for Skoda’s supremely comfortable and very spacious new electric SUV
News
12 Jan 2025