We tend to associate Volvo’s odd-ball C30 with the T5 version, which is an interesting little hot hatch. Not quite the sharpest handler, but certainly fast, distinctive and comfortable.

But the C30 1.6 featured here is a far more diluted shot of Sveedish Akvavit. It’s Volvo’s new entry-level car, and although it is positioned and specced in line with a premium hatchback, it does undercut the comparable BMW 116i and Audi A3 1.4 TSI by around R15 000.

The catch? Its 74kW Ford-sourced 1.6-litre engine offers less in the way of performance than its German rivals. In fact when you pit a 1.6-litre engine that’s not very powerful for its size against Gauteng-induced altitude sickness and a fairly heavy body shell packed with all the safety paraphernalia you expect from Volvo, the result is expectedly lethargic.

If you’re only looking for something to plod around town with, the 1.6 is fine, but stretch its legs on the open road and its limitations become apparent. It dawdled from 0-100km/h in 14 seconds, whereas other comparable 1.6 hatches like the Alfa 147 and Ford Focus took around 11 seconds, although the Volvo was not far off the field in 80 – 120km/h tractability.

You’re not going to stretch the limits of the chassis with this engine, but for the record, the C30’s underpinnings are quite sophisticated, although neither its ride quality nor the handling can match the best in this class. Close enough though. So if it’s got nothing in the way of performance, what is the appeal in this car, then, against those aforementioned Germans that cost slightly more?

The Volvo pulls a trump card on them when it comes to distinction, at least to some of the buying public. You see, C30’s flamboyant styling causes love-it-or-hate-it kind of reactions. And from what we’ve observed, there are many that love it, particularly of the fairer sex.

On a road network crowded by Audi A3s and BMW 1-Series’, this Volvo really stands out.

There are other perks to C30 ownership. It’s a very comfortable car – no carmaker to date has learned how to make seats quite as cushy as Volvo does – and the interior is smart in a simplistic kind of way. It’s not too practical, with a miniscule boot and not too much rear space, but C30 doesn’t pretend to be a family car.

Adding to the comfort factor is a long list of standard amenities like climate control, rain sensor and what Volvo calls a ‘performance sound system’. You can take it much further on the options list too, with Excel, Elite and R-Design packages that add even more luxury and stylistic distinction.

So should you buy the C30 1.6? If you’re not tied down by a family, nor seek much in the way of performance, but want a comfortable, off-beat and semi-premium little town car that’ll set you apart from the crowd, this could serve you quite well.

» Technical specs on page 2

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