Now who'da thought anybody could look cool in a Volvo? The Swedish brand has a great reputation for crash protection and quality but not for high scores on the cool-o-meter - until the arrival of the C30 hatchback, that is.
The C30 has moved Volvo away from its conservative image. It's the smallest in the range - shorter than the S40 sedan - but slightly wider and has kept the classic and conservative Volvo face but now walk around to the side and then the rear. There's a coupé wedge shape with a strong shoulder line; fun horseshoe-shaped tail lights and a large glass tail door.
It won't be overshadowed by a BMW 1 Series or an Audi A3.
We tested the top-of-the range T5 with its smooth, 2.5-litre turbo engine.
The 2.5-litre turbo T5 was good for 162kW when the C30 appeared in 2007 but Volvo recently raised that to 169kW and now claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.7sec and a top speed of 240km/h. We couldn't match those figures on the track - our best was 8.3sec - but we liked the six-speed manual gearbox.
Performance always comes with a price at the fuel pump; the C30 returned an average consumption of 12.2 litres/100km.
The car inspires confidence and, though it shares its wheelbase with the S40 sedan, has a more sporty feel. There's minimal lean under hard cornering thanks to its firm suspension; stability and traction control are standard along with electro-hydraulic steering assistance.
If you want to change the car's already good looks there's an R-Design kit for R23 900 that adds exterior bling you get a special front spoiler and skirts under the doors, a tailgate spoiler, bigger chromed tailpiece for each exhaust and a satin finish on a grille bearing the R-Design logo.
The cabin is also enlivened - sports steering wheel with embossed R-Design leather, sports gearshifter that combines aluminium and leather, R-Design inlay in the centre stack and door handles, and a speedometer and rev counter with attractive blue inserts.
Finding a comfortable driving position is a cinch with the memory-equipped power seats and the reach-adjustable steering wheel. The seats were great for long drives.
The C30 is 22cm shorter than the S40 but it has ample leg and headroom, even in the two rear bucket seats, and a surprising amount of boot space beneath that glass tailgate - it swallowed a mountain bike with ease.
Verdict
Volvo has successfully merged form and function to produce a car likely to attract a new generation of buyers to the brand. It will find favour with those who seek good performance, crash protection and good looks that don't mar Volvo's traditional appeal.