Introduction
The Volvo C30 is a compact sport coupe with two side doors and a hatchback that seats 4. Volvo positions it as an upscale entry-level vehicle. It was first introduced to the U.S. market for the 2008 model year. Competitors include the Subaru Impreza, Ford Focus, Mazda 3, and other small budget-priced cars. The 2013 Volvo C30 is offered in two models, each broken into four trim levels. The T5 is the base model; the T5 R-Design model has a sportier suspension and a quicker steering ratio. On each, buyers can step up to the Premier, Premier Plus, or Platinum trim levels. All feature a 5-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive.
Exterior Features
The 2013 Volvo C30 is offered in black, white, grey, silver, blue, orange, and red. Standard equipment on the base trim level includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights with washers, and automatic wipers. The T5 R-Design adds 18-inch wheels, fog lights, and a sportier suspension. The Premier trim level adds a sunroof; the Premier Plus trim level adds adaptive xenon headlights, LED running lights, and keyless entry and ignition.
Interior Features
Standard interior features on the Volvo C30 include air conditioning, cruise control, cloth upholstery, 8-speaker sound system, leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and manual height adjustment for the driver's seat. The T5 R-Design adds leather trim to the cloth upholstery, plus other styling touches. The Premier trim level adds power adjustability to the driver's seat, and a cargo cover; on the T5 R-Design, an auto-dimming mirror is also added. The Premier Plus trim level offers further upgrades to the seats. A navigation system and a 10-speaker surround-sound system are the main features of the Platinum trim level. The Volvo C30 provides 12.9 cubic feet of trunk space behind the rear seats and 20.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
Optional Features
Various cloth and leather upholstery options are available on the 2013 C30. Volvo groups many of the options for the C30 into packages. The Climate package--available on either model--adds heated seats, automatic climate control, and rain-sensing wipers. Stand-alone options include Volvo's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) and active xenon headlights, as well as load bars, sport pedals, rear skid plate with dual end pipes, sport floor mats, front bumper bar, side scuff plates, portable navigation system, and sport doorsill molding. Exterior and interior styling kits and the Polestar Performance tuning software are also available.
Under the Hood
All Volvo C30 models are powered by a turbocharged, 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine delivering 227 horsepower and producing 236 lb.-ft. of torque. Front-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual transmission are standard, with a 5-speed automatic transmission optional. With the optional Polestar Performance tuning, the engine can achieve up to 250 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2013 Volvo C30 are:
- C30 with manual transmission: 21/29/24 mpg (city/highway/combined)
- C30 with automatic transmission: 21/30/24 mpg
Safety
Standard safety features on the Volvo C30 include anti-lock brakes, active front head restraints, front side air bags, and side curtain air bags. A blind-spot monitoring system and other safety enhancements are optional.
To date, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not conducted crash tests on the 2013 Volvo C30. In tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the C30 received a "Good" rating--the Institute's highest--for both frontal-offset and side-impact protection, as well as for roof strength.
Technology
Volvo's optional Polestar Performance software enhances throttle response, torque, and power, according to the manufacturer, without increasing the certified fuel consumption or affecting the vehicle's original warranty. The software re-calibrates hundreds of parameters that control the engine to increase the turbocharger boost pressure, re-optimize the ignition and fuel-mapping, and re-calibrate the throttle response. Polestar Performance can be installed by any Volvo dealer.
