volvo C30 (R-Design)

There are two mainstream petrol engines a 1.6 and a 2.0 litre the smaller of which needs to be worked quite hard. That's not something you could say of the high performance T5 which is reserved for the sporty R-Design trim. Even so the best value for your money would be going for the 1.6 or 2.0 litre diesel engines. Even the 1.6 is quite punchy.

Short travel suspension keeps the body movement in check. So the C30 remains composed on twisty country roads. But is a very firm ride. The R-Design models have quicker steering and lowered and stiffened suspension.

The C30 is a decent motorway cruiser although some wind noise does build up around the door mirrors and it lets in road noise on rougher roads. The petrol engines are pretty civillised but the 2.0 litre diesel emits a rattle around town