Volvo C30 DRIVe review (2009 onwards)

• What – Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe
• Where – Chiswick, West London
• Price – £15,084
• Available – February 2009
• Key rivals – Audi A3 1.9 TDIe, BMW 118d, Ford Focus ECOnetic, Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion

Summary

Volvo has improved the economy of its entry-level diesel car 'for free'. With a host of aero-inspired styling mods helping set it apart, the C30 DRIVe is quite a desirable proposition.

• We like: Sporty styling, fine economy, no price increase over standard outgoing 1.6D
• We don’t like: Three doors and four seats only, poorly packaged and compromised boot, lacks a Focus’ driving engagement

Gallery: Volvo C30 DRIVe

First Impressions

How cool does this Volvo C30 look? With lowered suspension, a multi-spoiler rear and large, glinting alloys, it's every inch the sporty range-topper. How surprising, then, to actually discover it's Volvo's eco car. The greenest car ever built by the Swedish company. It's the C30 DRIVe - Volvo's Prius-beater.

Instead of using hybrid technology to save fuel, it takes the Volkswagen Bluemotion approach. Improve on what you've got, rather than debut expensive new tech. Volvo's fitted longer gear ratios, low-resistance tyres and a gearchange indicator. The power steering saves a tiny amount of fuel. Different gearbox oil has even smaller, but still useful, savings.

The biggest changes are to aerodynamics, though. The underbody is now totally smooth, so it has less resistance to airflow. There's a special rear spoiler and a bespoke bumper with built-in diffuser. Even the alloy wheels are a unique 'airflow' design - all to ensure the C30 passes through air as cleanly as possible.

All this comes at little cost, relative to hybrid expense. The C30 DRIVe range starts at £15,000 - indeed, now you can't buy a standard 1.6D model in non-DRIVe guise. Volvo's made it standard across the range. Only the racy R-Design misses out on the changes - but, so stylish are the DRIVe cars, is there even a place for that version anymore?

Performance

The 1.6-litre turbodiesel is pretty much unchanged. The main differences are modifications to the electronics, so it runs smoothly at low revs. Why? Because 3rd to 5th are 'longer', meaning the engine spins fewer revs at speed. This is good for economy, but often not for response. Luckily, this engine has clean pull at low revs.

It responds well to the accelerator and never feels like it's bogging down. It's actually slightly faster to 62mph than the outgoing non-DRIVe version, too. This is because 1st and 2nd gears have been made a bit sportier, so the gaps to the higher gears are spread out better. An inherently smooth-revving engine, it's refined and pleasant to use.

Ride and handling

Volvo has lowered the suspension by 10mm. This again helps it pass through the air more smoothly. It also makes it a bit sportier through the corners, though it's still no Ford Focus - despite being based on that car. The Volvo has a more easygoing approach, with stable assurance its watchword, rather than on the limit thrills.

The ride is a little jittery in town, though. Those low-resistance tyres have firmed things up underfoot, giving it a bit of a lumpy feel over bumps. It's not intolerable though, and that stability at high speeds means it is a relaxing car to drive. Perfectly accomplished, in other words. Just lacking the sparkle evident in the styling.

Interior

Deep, dished seats are great to sit in, and the C30 has a spot-on driving position. The stubby gearlever is also racy - if at odds with the huge steering wheel. Dials are clear and the famed thin-panel centre console is as cool as ever to look at. And just as fiddly to operate. The stowage space behind is still useless, too.

The only DRIVe specific is an electronic gearchange arrow in the dial pack. This blinks when it's time to change gear. Obey it and you'll be in 4th at little more than 30mph. Because of the gear ratios, that's around 1200rpm. Good job it's shudder-free and clean to pull up to higher speeds in such circumstances, then.

Economy and Safety

DRIVe changes improve economy by 10 per cent. That means an overall fuel consumption figure of 64.2mpg, and CO2 emissions of just 115g/km. Both are impressive, particularly as the real-world results will be good, thanks to all the aero changes. You can't always say the same of hybrids.

All it lacks is a stop-start feature for city-centre driving. This is probably the next step in the 'green' programme - one that Volvo now says is as important as safety. And that, as we know, is a byword for the Swedish brand. Accordingly, the C30 is one of the safest cars in its class, with lots of airbags and standard ESP.

MSN Cars Verdict 4/5

Volkswagen invented this class of green car with its Bluemotion range. They make a lot of sense - it's still a bit too soon for hybrids, which don't offer the real-world gains they do on paper. They can often be matched by a modern turbodiesel. Which means an even more efficient turbodiesel could be just the thing.

The DRIVe Volvo C30 breaks no new ground technically. But achieves excellent fuel economy and emits little CO2. What's most impressive here is how good looking it's become - and how Volvo's kept list prices down despite this. It's the most visually alluring 'eco' car on sale. Factor in 64mpg potential, for its appeal to become clear.

More pictures of the Volvo C30 from Live Search
All of our Volvo First Drives

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