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Engine and transmission Our C30 is a T5 model, which means that it is powered by a turbocharged, 2.5-liter gasoline engine with an inline, five-cylinder configuration. Speculation around the Web points to there actually being more torque on tap than Volvo is claiming, but I've got no way to confirm or deny this rumor. Wraparound side windows and smallish C-pillars also give the compact C30 excellent 360-degree visibility, which is great because blind-spot monitoring is also not available. Good visibility, when combined with the short nose-to-tail length, makes the C30 hatchback remarkably easy to park, well suited for threading through heavy traffic, and perfect for tight quarters in the city. Ford's Focus Titanium, with its optional automated parking, might be even better suited for drivers uncomfortable with parallel parking, but the C30 offers better visibility without electronic aids, for drivers who keep their head on a swivel.
Performance
On the other hand, the hatchback's opening is a bit small for loading large items given the amount of cargo room available with the second-row seats folded flat. I could lay my hipster fixie bike in the Volvo without removing its seat or front wheel, but getting the bicycle through the small opening took a lot of fiddling and finagling -- just invest in a roof rack, cyclists. All 2013 Volvo C30 models come with a 6-speed manual transmission, cruise control and a 160-watt/6-speaker audio system with AM/FM/HD Radio, CD player and auxiliary/iPod/USB inputs. Also standard are steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, Bluetooth wireless connectivity with audio streaming, and – deep breath – a pollen filter.
Volvo C30 Specs, Features & Options
For 2013, Volvo continues to expand the trim-level offerings on the C30, adding a new Premier trim. Rain-sensing wipers and headlight washers are fitted across the line, and the Premier Plus trim gets new keyless entry and starting as well as active xenon headlights.
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Comfortably warm hatch The T5 R-Design package brings an array of suspension upgrades, including stiffer springs, a 10-millimeter-lower ride, unique shock absorbers, bushings, and antiroll bars. The Polestar special edition doesn't mess with that formula, which is unfortunate because this more powerful model could use a bit of sharpening up in the handling department. As is, the C30 is responsive, yes, but from my point of view it's too compliant. For a hot hatch, I got a lot of comments from passengers about how comfortable it was.
All VOLVO C30 Models by Year (2006-2013) - Specs, Pictures & History - autoevolution
All VOLVO C30 Models by Year (2006- - Specs, Pictures & History.
Posted: Wed, 20 Jan 2021 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Vehicle history report
For reference, the 2013 Volvo C30 originally had a starting sticker price of $26,795, with the range-topping C30 T5 R-Design Platinum Hatchback 2D starting at $33,745. This added performance can be effected on whatever C30s are still on dealer lots for $1,295. Frustrating cabin tech Frankly, the C30's dashboard tech situation is pretty bad. As a starting point for modification or as a casual autocrossing machine, the Polestar C30 shows promise. Grippier tires with a wider contact patch than the stock 205-width all-season rubber would be a good first step in the right direction.
(T5 Premier) 2dr Hatchback
That power and torque flows through a six-speed manual transmission on its way to the front wheel. The throw on the leather and aluminum shifter is precise and smooth, but also ridiculously long. If you're not careful, you will hit center-stack buttons with your knuckles. I actually had to move my seat forward a few inches from my standard driving position to reach sixth gear without stretching. I'm a huge fan of the all-glass rear hatch, which offers fantastic rear visibility. No rearview camera option is available on the C30, but I can't imagine that a camera would be much of an improvement over this massive glass portal.
(T5 R-Design Premier Plus) 2dr Hatchback
However, I had to break out the instruction manual to even figure out where that button was located. Volvo's DVD-based navigation system (DVDs?! What year is this?!) is controlled by a small joystick-and-button combo mounted on the back of the steering wheel. But I don't want a compliant ride from this car, I want fun, an edge, a proper hot hatch. Polestar is supposed to be to Volvo what the M badge is to BMW, what AMG is to Mercedes-Benz. If compromises are made, they should be in the name of performance, not comfort.
The interface is obnoxiously complex in itself, but with the buttons on the back of the steering wheel, I kept confusing Enter with Back. The system ships with an IR remote control for when passengers want to take a stab at entering an address into its non-touch-sensitive interface. The C30's rear hatch offers excellent visibility, but the opening is a bit small for loading bulky items. We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability. If you want a stylish, solid and quick compact hatch with a premium feel that stands apart from just about everything else on the road, the C30 is an appealing option. Unless otherwise noted, all vehicles shown on this website are offered for sale by licensed motor vehicle dealers.
(T5 R-Design Platinum) 2dr Hatchback
All current Volvos are backed by a 5-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and complimentary maintenance for three years/36,000 miles. If you’ve been in any recent Volvo, the C30’s cabin will be instantly familiar. It’s functional yet stylish, looking as sleek and angular as anything from an IKEA store. Two-tone leather seating is available, which helps give the C30 a premium look. R-Design models get extra garnishments like aluminum inlays and logos on the seats and steering wheel.
Autoblog accepts vehicle loans from auto manufacturers with a tank of gas and sometimes insurance for the purpose of evaluation and editorial content. Like most of the auto news industry, we also sometimes accept travel, lodging and event access for vehicle drive and news coverage opportunities. Our opinions and criticism remain our own – we do not accept sponsored editorial. The raked rear end and throwback frameless glass hatch negate the functional purpose of choosing a hatchback in the first place. With the navigation system sorted, I turned my attention to the audio and climate controls below, which are a mess of buttons and knobs bunched on the floating center stack with no separation between the controls for phone, climate, and audio. Every adjustment to the temperature or audio source becomes an eyes-on interaction that takes longer than it should.
There are, of course, those who will argue that you don't buy a Volvo for performance, that a Volvo is purchased for its safety features, and that I have no business comparing the C30 with the Focus ST or Mazdaspeed3. I get that, but I don't feel that C30 isn't necessarily any safer than either of those vehicles. When Volvo decided to slap that little blue Polestar square on its hatchback's bumper and squarely in the center of the dashboard, the automaker was also throwing down the gauntlet in the global hot-hatch battlefield.
The seating position is comfortable, but for some people, the seatbelts have a tendency to creep up. The 2013 Volvo C30 is an upscale compact carryall that blurs the distinction between hatchback and small station wagon. It is priced above the Mini Cooper and below the Audi A3, but looks nothing like them – or anything else on the road for that matter. Even its engine is unusual, being a turbocharged 5-cylinder that aims for 6-cylinder performance with 4-cylinder fuel economy. Inside, the C30 defies more convention with only four seats instead of the typical five. The C30’s differences make it a stylish, fun-to-drive car for individualists.
In back are two – but only two – sculpted seats, roomy enough for adults. Behind the rear seats is 12.9 cubic feet of storage, which expands to over 20 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. That's a pretty tepid assessment of the most powerful, most exclusive variant of this marquee. Interestingly, I didn't find myself sweating most of this when I was behind the wheel. Volvo hasn't built the hottest hatchback, it hasn't loaded the car up with the best tech, but it has created something special -- something fun -- that I really enjoyed driving. Some drivers will just get it; others won't be able to see past the cons.
