Volvo C30 DRIVe 2011 long-term review - 2

RRP: $36,150
Options: None fitted
Crash rating: Five-star (EuroNCAP)
Fuel: Diesel
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 3.8
CO2 emissions (g/km): 99
Also consider: Audi A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e, BMW 118d, Mazda 3 MZR-CD, Volkswagen Golf 77TDI

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 3.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0

About our ratings

The Volvo C30 DRIVe is one of the most economical car's I've ever had the good fortune to drive, and upon returning the Ice White hatchback to Volvo after six-months, it left some of us feeling a little forlorn.

The only quibble we recorded with the car over a six-month period was the stop-start function, which for a period of about two weeks decided not to work. Otherwise, it delivered trouble-free motoring for all involved.

Some of the CN staff noted that the aerodynamic disc wheels looked silly and the rear window gave the rear end a dumpy appearance, but by and large the general feeling of all CN journalists who drove the Volvo was one of positivity toward the $36,150 hatchback.

Powered by a 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine, the economical C30 develops 80kW/250Nm and is arguably one of the most economical cars on the market. It's greener than a bus load of Australian Conservation Foundation volunteers, with a claimed combined economy figure of 3.8L/100km and CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.

During our testing we achieved an overall figure of 5.0L/100km which, compared the claimed 3.8L/100km is not great, but bear in mind that the car was regularly driven, how do you say, briskly? For mine, that was one of the most impressive aspects of the car - you could hammer it hard and still turn up figures under 6.0L/100km.

The best figure we achieved on one journey, a 300km round trip from Melbourne to Torquay, saw 3.5L/100km, and that result could have been lower had the throttle been finessed a little more.

The engine is an impressive piece of hardware and can shift the car's mass with effortless ease thanks to a wide spread of torque, while the car's five-speed manual transmission features tall(ish) gearing that gives the car long legs and allows the engine to sit on low revs at highway speeds.

Beyond the pearler of an engine, the stop-start system, the aerodynamic body work tweaks and low rolling resistance tyres, the Volvo C30 DRIVe proved to be easy to live with on a daily basis. Ingress and egress was trouble-free, the oversized steering wheel and control buttons make it a doddle to operate and the vision fore and aft (especially aft) was excellent, making for hassle-free commuting.

Being a Volvo it's a reassuring vehicle to ferry family and friends around in, and though the back seat isn't huge, there's enough leg room for two adults on shorter journeys. Things like six airbags, stability control and even three-years of free roadside assistance add peace of mind to the driving experience.

Even without all its clever fuel-saving features, such as the dash-mounted display that suggests when to change gears, the Volvo C30 DRIVe is a remarkably capable hatchback, one that represents excellent value considering its European origins, safety levels, fuel economy and build quality.

If we've learned anything from this long-term test, it's that Volvo has created a near-bulletproof car that can be driven by a lead-foot yet still return respectable fuel economy figures. There's not a lot to complain about here, which is testament to Volvo's thoughtful design processes.

Related reading:
- Volvo C30 DRIVe long-term test
- Econocomparo - different green options sampled
- Volvo C30 D5 road test

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