The Quirky Volvo C30 Hatchback Is Now A Used Bargain CarBuzz News Features New Cars Used Cars Sell My Car Shopping Tools Car Reviews Car Finder Compare Cars Best Cars Car Dealerships Used Car Reviews Car Advice Home Features The Quirky Volvo C30 Hatchback Is Now A Used Bargain
The Quirky Volvo C30 Hatchback Is Now A Used Bargain
Dec. 28, 2018 8:00 PM ET by Jared Rosenholtz Smart Buy / 6 Comments If you want to be different, check out a C30. While we're impressed with Volvo's current lineup, there is one model from the Swedish automaker's past that we miss - the C30. Sold in the United States from 2007 to 2013, it was one of the most interesting hatchbacks you could buy at the time. The looks were a bit polarizing (we happen to love them) and were meant to harken back to the original P1800. Even though the sort-lived C30 has been forgotten by most enthusiasts, we wanted to bring it up again because it is now very affordable on the used market. Volvo The Performance
In the US, the C30 was only offered with one engine, a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder producing 217-227 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. All of that oomph was routed to the front wheels through either a five-speed automaker or six-speed manual. Unlike many of today's hatchbacks, the C30 was legitimately small and tossible, though it was a bit heavy with a curb weight of around 3,200 pounds. Depending on the transmission, the C30 could hit 60 mph in the mid to low six-second range and complete the quarter-mile in around 15.2 seconds. From 2011 to 2013, Volvo also sold a Polestar performance tune for $1,295, which upped the output to 250 hp. Separate from the Polestar tuning software, the C30 was also offered as a Polestar Limited Edition trim which increased torque to 273 lb-ft, though only 250 were sold in the US in 2013 - good luck finding one. All of the Polestar special editions were painted Rebel Blue, so they are easy to spot. Volvo also had plans to build an insane all-wheel-drive Polestar version of the car, tuned to produce 456 hp, but unfortunately, the concept was never put into production. Volvo Volvo Volvo Volvo The Price
For a premium vehicle, the C30 was relatively affordable when it was new. Back in 2013, the C30 retailed for around $25,000 to $33,000 depending on options. Now, the pre-facelifted models can be found starting at just $5,000 with high mileage while the later, low-mileage examples can still be found for less than $20,000. We prefer the looks of the pre-facelifted model, though the new examples are easier to find with low mileage. Of course, we should mention how this is an aging luxury car that is past its manufacturer warranty, so be warned that repairs won't come cheap. An aftermarket warranty may help and we highly suggest requesting to have a third party shop inspect the car before you sign the papers. Volvo Volvo Volvo Interior
True to most cars built before 2010, the technology in the C30 will feel old compared to a new car. You won't find a highly responsive touchscreen, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, or advanced driver aids like adaptive cruise control. What you will find is a well-designed interior with decent materials and a unique Swedish layout. Most C30s will have a simple monochrome screen to display the radio and climate controls, though Volvo did offer navigation, which was housed on a pop-up display on the dashboard. We don't recommend finding one with the navigation unit because it was notoriously difficult to use and even required a separate remote control - who in Sweden thought that was a good idea? Volvo Practicality
The C30 is strictly a four-seater, though even that is a bit of a stretch, The back seat is tiny, so if you need to carry rear seat passengers frequently this may not be the right hatchback for you. We suggest folding down the rear seats and Think of the C30 as a 2+2 coupe with rear seats for occasional use only. Trunk space with the rear seats up is a meager 15.3 cubic feet but increases to an acceptable 33.4 cubic feet when folded down. Efficiency
Although the C30 will require premium gas, it won't kill you at the pump. The EPA rated the C30 at 21/30 mpg city/highway, which is not bad for a car with 227 hp. It may not be as efficient as a modern hatchback but let's see you find a brand-new car for this price, especially one from a premium brand. Volvo Volvo Verdict
The Volvo C30 may not be as practical as a Volkswagen Golf GTI but it is far more unique. In a world filled with cars, some people just like to stand out. If you are looking to buy a C30, we suggest finding one of the sportier R Spec models, unless you can track down one of the 250 Polestar Special Editions - in which case, send us an email and tell us about it. Expect to spend around $12,000 to $15,000, budget a few thousand for repairs, and prepare for people at car shows to tell you "oh yeah, I remember that car. It was cool." Volvo Join The Discussion
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Volvo C30 Jared Rosenholtz Editor-at-Large After graduating with an MBA, Jared pursued his love of cars by becoming an automotive journalist. An internship with CarBuzz grew into his current position as Editor At Large. Jared now spends most of his time evaluating new vehicles and chasing the latest news stories in the automotive industry. When he’s not attending Cars & Coffee events on the weekend, Jared loves to watch NFL football and cruise around with the top down in his German convertible. Contact Jared @Carsnbites @jar_rosenholtz LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top