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  1. Reviews
  2. Volvo
  3. C30

Volvo C30 reviews

Volvo C30
4.5 stars
(25) 4.5/5
Browse Volvo C30 stock

Help others by writing a review

Is the Volvo C30 a good car?

  • Performance 4.5 stars
  • Running Costs 4.0 stars
  • Comfort 4.5 stars
  • Reliability 4.5 stars
  • Space Practicality 3.5 stars

Volvo C30 Polestar Optimisation T5 Manual

Added: 11th of March 2024

  • 2012
  • 2521
  • Manual
  • Petrol
  • Hatchback
  • 3
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

Great car. boot size isn't amazing however with the back seats folded down there is plenty of room. The engine is the same 2.5-liter turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine used in the standard C30, but Polestar tuning has increased output to 250 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. fuel economy is ok at around 10.3L / 100km Volvo has full leather interior making it nice and comfortable. Would recommend to anyone wanting a fun and fast hot hatch.

You’ll love this car!

Added: 23rd of April 2023

  • 2011
  • D3
  • Manual
  • Diesel
  • Coupe
  • 3
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

Even though it’s 12 years old, it still looks modern & quirky and the build quality is fantastic. The 20 valve 5 cylinder engine sounds great and is bulletproof. I think it’ll go on forever! It’s great round town and on the motorway, I always arrive fresh as the seats are so comfortable. The mpg is impressive, especially if you drive conservatively. Highly recommend!

Excellent car to buy.

Added: 9th of February 2023

  • 2010
  • 1600 cc
  • Manual
  • Diesel
  • Hatchback
  • 3
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

Hi I'm Phil and IV had 32 car though my life time,and I can honestly say that this is without the best car I have ever owned, I have had fords, vauxhall, Renault, rover, Morris, mgb,Hillman, Austin, and the Volvo c30 beat's them all,so if your thinking of getting one you will not be disappointed, for comfort performance and reliability,👌

Fun Little Car

Added: 2nd of February 2022

  • 2009
  • 2500
  • Automatic
  • Petrol
  • Hatchback
  • 2
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

The Volvo C30 is my first reliable car. I bought mine used with 113,000 miles on it. I have put over 27,500 more on it now. It is respectfully quick by modern standards which is impressive given it is 13 years old. Has ample power and an amazing sound system (Dynaudio Performance w/ Dolby II surround). Gas mileage could be better but is not terrible. I have fun modding the car. Like all Volvos the ride is quiet and comfortable. Just be weary of suspension woes, as this is a collaboration with Ford it doesn’t have the best shocks and shock mounts.

Old but brilliant

Added: 24th of May 2021

  • 2007
  • 1997
  • Manual
  • Diesel
  • Coupe
  • 3
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

I own a Volvo C30 for 2 years now. As it is 2007 car, it's pretty old now, but in the country I live in - people mostly drive really old cars like (1990-2000), so here 2007 counts new. For now my car has run over 231000 km. And I have driven last 60000 km. As for a coulpe with one small kid - toddler, the car is just perfect. He has enough space in the backseat, and can't play with back doors or windows, because there is no back doors. We see it as good thing, because we are worried about safety. Another thing I like is fuel economy which is about 4.5l - 5.5l /100km. As my car is pretty old the repairs and new details cost at least 500-1000 euros per year.

Brilliant car

Added: 25th of August 2020

  • 2009
  • 1560
  • Manual
  • Diesel
  • Coupe
  • 3
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

We have owned the car for just over 3 years. My wife absolutely loves it, and on the odd occasion I drive it, I also really like the car. The positives are as follows: Quality feel. Relatively good fuel economy £30 PA road fund licence Very reliable Minimal cost come service time (Cam belt every 10 years or 150,000 miles). Fuel filters are ridiculously expensive though. Great level of equipment (R design). Look for used buys with the phone connectivity (buttons on the steering wheel) and headlamp washers. Both dealer options. Very comfortable Great looking car. In my view, as good looking as the VW Sirocco, for a lot less money. Decent performance from a 1.6 diesel(Same engine used by BMW in the Mini, Ford, Peugeot etc. Very quiet when running. Bad points: Air con tends to give up the ghost, as the condensers are prone to rotting on the diesels due to the position of the inter-cooler. Once replaced, you need to run the air con most of the time, or the seals dry out and shrink causing a loss of gas. Once working, it's good at keeping you cool. The finish on the wheels isn't great, and the paint tends to allow corrosion after a few winters. Accessing the back seats is a bit of a faff. Alright for kids, but adults of any size are going to struggle. Diesel particulate filter has a finite lifespan due to the system used, and will be costly to replace. Overall, this is a brilliant car. My wife's car has covered 114,000 miles, and I cannot really criticise it. Interior room is poor, but it's not designed as a family car. Aimed squarely at couples, or people who only occasionally use the back seats. Would we buy another? Absolutely, in a heart beat.

Modern classic GT on a budget

Added: 15th of February 2020

  • 2007
  • 1596
  • Manual
  • Petrol
  • Coupe
  • 3
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

I bought my C30 1.6S as a stop gap when I returned to the UK from living expat and was looking for a cheapish runabout; I'd always liked the look of the C30 and thought it would be a good for a year. Five years later (with the car approaching 13 years old) I have no intention of letting it go - it is too good a car and offers me what I need, very comfortable cruising on A roads and motorways, with a big car feel in a Focus sized package. As it is a Focus platform vehicle, maintenance/repair costs are reasonable. it doesn't like steep hills and a 1.6 engine isn't going to give lightning fast acceleration, but it will easily cruise at the national speed limit all day and return 36mpg. It isn't a family car, but it's great for what I need.

Volvo C30 D5 Lux Automatic

Added: 12th of October 2016

  • 2008
  • 2400
  • Automatic
  • Diesel
  • Coupe
  • 3
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

Plus: Fantastic car, sporty performance, comfortable with a reasonable carrying capacity. We average 40mpg. Minus: Engine somewhat noisy compared to other diesels (but it pulls like a train). 2006 design is a little outdated now.

Great small car

Added: 12th of October 2016

  • 2009
  • 2500
  • Automatic
  • Petrol
  • Hatchback
  • 2
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

My Volvo C30 is reliable, easy to drive and has the power to overtake fast when needed.

Volvo C30 R-design

Added: 12th of October 2016

  • 2013
  • 1600
  • Manual
  • Petrol
  • Coupe
  • 2
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

Sort of a reverse TARDIS, no cubby holes to speak of. Quite comfortable though and quite responsive for a 1.6. Fuel tank is miniscule although the mpg is not bad so it evens out. Does for us at the moment, and might well get another Volvo, but bigger next time

Volvo C30 2.0 Diesel SE Sport

Added: 19th of June 2015

  • 2007
  • 1900
  • Manual
  • Diesel
  • Hatchback
  • 3
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

Had this car 2 months, 1 previous owner, really fun to drive, performance is smashing, handles great and runs solid on motorways at high speed. Only downside is the space in the boot, I quite like the bucket seats in the back but someone with a family might struggle.

What's meant?

Added: 10th of March 2014

  • 2008
  • 1600
  • Manual
  • Diesel
  • Coupe
  • 3
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

I drove Volvos from 1963-1994. Great to be back in one again! Quality and performance as good as ever. Full marks to the dealership for a good value used car.

Volvo C30

Added: 18th of November 2013

  • 2010
  • 1600
  • Manual
  • Diesel
  • Hatchback
  • 3
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

Beautiful car. Very comfortable to drive. Good MPG. Good road holding. Easy to manoevere.

Good Car

Added: 15th of November 2013

  • 2010
  • 1600
  • Manual
  • Petrol
  • Hatchback
  • 3
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

The C30 is a good car though let down by a couple of little things. Having moved from a mid range Ford Fiesta to A high range Volvo I expected the difference to be more dramatic. In actual fact the Volvo is more expensive to run, slightly slower with poor acceleration and less interior and boot space. The positives are the seats are comfortable and though a small car it feels larger than it actually is, it has a smooth ride and is a good looking car. On the whole I am pleased with it. Oh and watch out for the very slippery steering wheel you need to keep a good grip on it.

Great car

Added: 15th of November 2013

  • 2010
  • 1600
  • Manual
  • Diesel
  • Coupe
  • 2
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

Love the C30 because it is a reliable, comfortable and fairly rare car on the roads so I feel that I am a little unique :-) The stop/start system is very good and fuel efficiency is excellent of driven properly.

Volvo C30R-design

Added: 14th of October 2013

  • 2008
  • 2000
  • Manual
  • Diesel
  • Hatchback
  • 2
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

Good points: comfortable, economic, safe, good acceleration & brakes, reasonably reliable (some minor electronic problems). Irritations: Floating console looks good but not wholly practical, it's too low down and one has to take eyes off the road too much to use buttons etc. All instruments/knobs should be high up on the dash so eyes can quickly revert to driving visuals. Fog light buttons are hidden low R behind the steering wheel (for me), cannot find them on dark/foggy night - so dangerous, they need moving to high up on dash for easy visual/quick operation. Although all instruments and floating console look good, practically, I don't think they work - sorry! Air con/heating controls are too complicated, I wish they were simpler to adjust. Road holding in snow/ice was vastly improved by the change to appropriate winter tyres for last winter - a huge success, I recommend these to anyone who has to drive in these conditions. Hopelessly small boot..., it's okay for a couple as a rear seat can be dropped for large luggage space, but definitely not for family with pushchair, infant clobber, etc., due to the odd boot shape. Very nice car otherwise, I've had mine from new for 5 years.

Volvo C30

Added: 13th of October 2013

  • 2010
  • 2000
  • Manual
  • Petrol
  • Hatchback
  • 3
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

The only downside is running costs and space & practicality.

Almost Perfect

Added: 13th of October 2013

  • 2009
  • 2000
  • Manual
  • Diesel
  • Hatchback
  • 3
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

Returned to owning a Volvo after a very negative experience with a German double-barrelled brand and thrilled I did so. The car has been reliable, and running costs are low. I have the 18" wheels and this does result in having more expensive tyres. My only issue with the design is the tricky hatch shape, so it makes loading and carrying larger items problematic, sometimes impossible. Otherwise I love the car and am disappointed that Volvo have stopped making the C30 as I would happily have bought another one.

Volvo C30

Added: 12th of October 2013

  • 2010
  • 2000
  • Automatic
  • Diesel
  • Hatchback
  • 3
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

Excellent car for what I require. Quite sporty, good load carrying capacity.

good car

Added: 12th of October 2013

  • 2010
  • 1300
  • Manual
  • Diesel
  • Hatchback
  • 2
Performance
Running Costs
Comfort
Reliability
Space Practicality

good car

  • 1
  • 2
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