Table Of Content
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.
Volvo C30 R-Design review: Polestar edition of Volvo C30 is a not-so-hot hatch
For a full list of All 2013 C30 trims and their respective features and specs compared side-by-side, check out Kelley Blue Book's 2013 Volvo C30 specs page. Here's everything you need to know about each trim in the 2013 Volvo C30 lineup. The navigation was so maddening that the best thing I can say about it is that the screen can be folded flat into the dashboard again with the touch of a button and simply ignored. Don't adjust your screen; the Volvo navigation interface is just that pixelated. Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.
Used Volvo C30 R-Design for Sale Nationwide
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.
Popular New Vehicles
However, the C30 faces some very stiff competition in the compact performance arena. Personally, I'd look elsewhere for my hot-hatch thrills were it my own money on the table. That's as expensive as an Audi A3 Quattro and thousands more than a comparably equipped 2013 Ford Focus ST, Mazdaspeed3, or Subaru WRX. The new Premier package on the 2013 Volvo C30 adds a sunroof, power-adjustable driver’s seat and cargo-area cover. Premier Plus brings power adjustability for the passenger seat, dual xenon headlights and LED running lights.
The top-line Platinum package has a 10-speaker/650-watt premium sound system and navigation system with real-time traffic. Additional options include a 5-speed automatic transmission, climate package, blind-spot monitoring system, and the power-bumping Polestar Performance Package. Still, with a stated 0-60 mph acceleration time of about 6.5 seconds, the C30 has absolutely no problem getting up to speed on the freeway. What the C30 really has going for it is a solid, planted, and ultimately safe feel that belies its small size. In base T5 form, the front-wheel-drive C30 offers bigger-car comfort, while the R-Design model has a tighter suspension for better cornering. Power level is the same for both models, though either can be boosted with the available Polestar Performance upgrade, which tunes the engine to 250 horsepower for noticeably more sizzle.
Volvo's C30 isn't the fastest or most high-tech hot hatch, but the Polestar edition is something special. The 10-speaker premium audio system sounds fantastic, but the tiny interface is difficult to work with while driving. The two-tone leather seats were comfortable and power-adjustable, with three memory settings for the driver's seat. However, they aren't as well bolstered as they could be and didn't move out of the way very quickly when passengers needed to get into the rear seats.
Here's Why The Volvo C30 Was Known As The Swedish Volkswagen Golf - HotCars
Here's Why The Volvo C30 Was Known As The Swedish Volkswagen Golf.
Posted: Sun, 14 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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.
What features does the Volvo C30 2013 have?
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.
Favorite Features
Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. TURBOCHARGED ENGINEA turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine gives the C30 a great balance of performance and efficiency, falling neatly between a smaller 4-cylinder and a larger 6-cylinder. EXCEPTIONAL OUTWARD VISIBILITYThe C30’s rear window looks great from the outside, and it’s even better from within. Thanks to that long panel of glass flowing down the hatch, this Volvo provides astounding rearward visibility. 2013 Volvo C30 features include AM/FM Radio, Bluetooth Wireless Technology, and Child Seat Anchors.
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.
By accessing this website, you agree to the TrueCar Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I was sad to see the playful little Volvo go at the end of my week behind the wheel and I'll be sad to see the C30 go when it ends production soon. Only 250 examples are being made of this swan-song Polestar limited edition -- ours was No. 249.
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.
