2007 Volvo C30 T5 Road Test
24 Jul, 2007
26 Comments 
2007 Volvo C30 T5 Road Test
Fast enough to put Japanese Turbos to shame and cool enough to turn heads, the new Volvo C30 is anything but boring.
Test Models: 2007 Volvo C30 T5, 5-speed automatic transmission & 6-speed manual.
CarAdvice rating: 
Options Fitted:
- Metallic paint – $1350 (a must)
- Front passenger seat, electronically adjustable – $1950 (not worth the 2g, but a great feature nonetheless)
- Heated front seats – $315 (why not?)
- Sport chassis – $1500 (don’t buy the C30 T5 without ticking this box - forget the electronic seats, this is far more important)
Recommended Retail Price: $42,450 manual, $43,950 auto
In the interest of keeping you entertained I am not going to bore you with a 2,500 word road test. Instead I am going to convince you why you need to consider the Volvo C30 as your next car.
A bit of history:
The C30 comes in two flavours, the C30 T5 (162kW & 320Nm) that is tested here, and the C30 LE (125kW, 220Nm) which is the volume vanilla flavour variant. For an extra $4,000 there is no question, pick the C30 T5, even if you are not going to use the extra 37kWs of power and 100Nm of torque, the Bi-Xenon lights, 17 inch wheels and Dynamic Stability Traction Control make the T5 worth the extra buck.
I’ll start by saying one thing, for as long as I can remember, I have been an avid Volvo hater. I always wonder why anyone would spend their hard earned cash on a metal box with 2,000 airbags. I even used to attend Anti-Volvo Rallys and protest outside Volvo dealerships. Okay, so none of that is true, but I really did despise Swedish cars.
When I was in Sydney last, Anthony, Paul and I were blessed with an Aston Martin DB9 for two days, but we had one small problem. We needed a chase car that could keep up with the Aston, and do it in style. I was hoping we would still have the HSV R8, but no, we had a Volvo C30 T5 instead.
If only someone had taken a photo of my face when I saw Anthony show up in a Volvo, I could show you my disappointment. A Volvo? Are you seriously telling me we are going to chase a DB9 in this?
Anthony really likes Volvos, maybe it’s his age, maybe it’s wisdom, whatever it is, he was convinced the C30 would be the ideal car to chase the Aston around Sydney. You can read his thoughts on C30 here.
When we picked up the DB9, Anthony threw me the keys to the C30, then I threw them back, as he had actually given me the Aston Martin keys. For the most part, the keys look near identical (both owned by Ford - although Ford did sell a big share of AM recently).
Location: Home / Volvo, Behind the Wheel / ...
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(40 votes, average: 4.65 out of 5)
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July 27th, 2007 at 10:13 am
If this car was $40k driveaway i would have purchased one for wifey.
But seeing u can get a CX7 for that amount [which this site said they are going to test] i would rather that, its simply better value and better quality too
Cheers
F-0
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July 27th, 2007 at 10:27 am
Frugal One:
You couldn’t be any more wrong. The CX-7 is a fuel guzzling poser that rolls about through corners.
The C30 is a sports car…there’s no use comparing the two.
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July 27th, 2007 at 10:44 am
The C30 is ugly though, it could offer great value for money…. I still wouldnt get it.
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July 27th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Paul:
Styling is entirely subjective.
I think the Camry V6…*cough*…I mean Aurion is an ugly piece of overrated whitegood trash…doesn’t make my opinion gospel though…
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July 27th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
From the front, the C30 is an absolutely beautiful car, its only the rear thats a let down, unfortunately, given the cars power and capability, most people will only ever the rear…. but apart from that, there is just nothing wrong with this car! it is near perfect.
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July 27th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
^
I was going to clarify that yeah, the front is ok its just the rear… its to much for me.
As for Benjamin, well then Id say your part of a minority… the Aurion looks decent, most people who aernt biased will tell you that. I agree looks are subjective but on a majority basis the C30 is ugly.
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July 31st, 2007 at 1:04 pm
After reading this I am seriously considering trading the XR5 for one of these…
I am and have been a big fan of Volvo’s (and I am under 30) and cop some crap for it.
Being a Volvo fan when this came out I went down to the local dealer to have a look see and it does look good in the flesh but I had read report about it being a more floaty then the XR.
I guess a drive will answer that question.
Now to convince the other half she can live without 2 doors.
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July 31st, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Matt, I would say that the C30 T5 is a far easier drive than the XR5 but no less spritted. That’s apart from the level of luxury and style etc. You just point the C30 at ANY corner and it will blast through it like a well sorted rally machine but without the body jarring.
I am actually considering replacing our trusted Liberty with a C30 also. Just don’t need that much space any more. Even with two doors - 2 kids aged 5 & 15 were no problems.
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August 9th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Paul, when you apply the colour matching body kit, add the Atreus wheels and tinted windows you’ve got a completely different story. In Brisbane the other day I saw a titanium grey pearl C30 which had heaps of heads turning.
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August 13th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Got one already, Red T5/Body Kit, Yup you either hate that rear end or you love it - no two questions about it. Even Volvo themselves concede that not everyone will like it. Regardless of how this model sells I think that rear-end will become one of the ‘classic’ icons of auto-design for a while. It is so different from what we have seen for some time; which probably is the reason why people’s opinions of it are so divided.
Personally I do like the rear end - to me it gives the C30 an agressive look, especially with the lowered suspension.
Anyway, do youself a favour and test drive one, I think you’d be as surprised as the reviewer - you still might hate that rear end though!
P.S and no, I’m not a Volvo dealer - I’m an aging IT Manager from WA !
Cheers
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August 14th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Am i thge only one that actually likes the rear styling of the new volvo? Anyone failiar with the beautiful lines of teh volvo p1800 will remember the boot of the P18000 ES estate model circa 1970-73. OK so it looks a little different from the boring run of the mill hatches around.
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August 14th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
I quite like the back end styling too Gus. In the right colour, the car looks great, it stands out on the road.
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August 22nd, 2007 at 9:06 am
I’ll be test driving one of these over the weekend. The car really appeals to me, and I dont mind the styling at all. If I can keep it under 50K with the metalic paint, those horn looking 5 spoke wheels, sports pack, etc, I might have to give up my trusty 3 MPS. This, of course providing the drive lives up to the review. Im not holding my breath about keeping it under 50K though. European car companies are specialists at charging 5K to wash your car, make you a latte’, and put the incorrect pressures in your tyres, and calling it pre delivery!
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August 22nd, 2007 at 9:43 am
Nick,
definitely let me know how you go, would be interested to hear your thoughts, specially comparing it to the MPS 3
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September 29th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Hey great site…..My father just bought a C30 T5, absolutely fell in love with the drive. Test Drive - It was funny to see my father a 56 year old hooning around the streets with this coupe. When I drove it, drove well, handling, power where amazing !! Was a little different from what I’m driving at the moment (Honda euro lxry).
Insurance was surprisingly cheap for the car being a coupe…cough *three door hatch.
Only thing I could pick on it was the handbrake being on the passenger side, and the accelerator and brake pedals where not centralised, I mean you had to bring your right foot over to the left more…and the brake even more left…thats if you dont drive with two feet. So you are nearly crossing your legs when you brake….if that makes sense, lol (Automatic).
My two cents worth
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October 9th, 2007 at 9:23 am
Appearance IS subjective. I love the look of this thing from all angles, particularly with the two-tone finish.
This will be my next car. Only question; can we have it chipped to make it faster??
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October 9th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Oh my.. This guy very nearly aced his test review, then I read what he had to say about the C30’s much raved about and accomplished rear end. Silly fella, clearly doesn’t know a good arse when he sees one! The best looking premium hatch ever to grace our shores. Makes an Audi A3 look like an overpriced fridge on wheels, and the BMW 1 series a tacky 80’s Japanese import. The best, put simply, is the Volvo.
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October 21st, 2007 at 4:12 pm
INDEED, thats a hot arse!
She’s modern and silky up front but with a crazy Euro hill climb / rally style rear.
Awesome.
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October 21st, 2007 at 4:17 pm
PS…. FYI Go-Fast pack e.g chip, pipes etc. for the C30 will be easy, its going to be popular.
Google the Ford XR5 forum here in australia and you’ll find some guys getting good gains for $1,500.
JJ
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October 21st, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Thats a hot arse? Now I have heard everything.
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March 16th, 2008 at 11:46 am
The irony of those who don’t like the C30 are more sedan type drivers, not sports hatchback types… to each their own.
Simon Lamarre has managed to put together a great design: from the side profile, the car tapers aggressively. An aggressively sloping silhouette risks looking diminutive, but this is balanced by a bold, extra wide stance. The taillights are a style quote from Volvo’s wagons, and the glass hatch is a reference to the P1800. It’s a smart piece of design.
If you don’t like the C30, that’s the whole point; it’s not supposed to appeal to everyone - it’s a design statement.
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April 13th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Saw C30 for first time yesterday. Liked it! Drove around block two more times to check it out. Have to go to Perth to drive one (5 hours). Have been Subaru Liberty station wagon owner 3x. Ready to cut down size. Will I miss all wheel drive? How is cargo area? Is the spare tyre full size? How is 2 door for adults to get into back seat? Most times just 1 or 2 people plus dogs. Back hatch seems high - is it comfortable for loading groceries, sports gear?
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May 4th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Not sure about comparing CX7 & C30 (??) however, my “wifey” has just bought a black T5 - lots of fun to drive and safe as, with vg handling.
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June 4th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
i’m a lover of the whole design - its sporty yet roomy; it doesn’t look at all like every other hatch out there - it has a point of difference; i’m a 26 yr old volvo driver!! loved them so much i got one myself. easily fit my 6ft 2″ brother comfortably in the back seat.
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July 18th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I’ve had a (black) C30 T5 R-Design Manual (with the 18′ Atreus wheels, trick suspension) for 4 weeks now and I have to concur that it’s a pretty nice piece of kit. It’s not really a hot-hatch in the GTI, R26/R27 vein, more a civilised small premium car with extremely good GT capabilities. I haven’t done it yet but doing a 1,000km trip is this car would be an absolutely breeze…and it’s a great town car too. If somebody had told me 2 years ago that I’d own an Volvo I’d have laughed at them. The C30 is the real deal though.
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September 6th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
hi.this is a really useful website.I think that the C30 is a fairly good car (my step mum has one) even though it look a little ygly from the rear,it still looks great form the front though.
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