Volvo has a superb record for safety and Volvo C30 safety is as impressive as its other models. In official Euro NCAP crash tests it was awarded the maximum five stars for adult protection, as well as an impressive four stars for child safety. Under the new stricter Euro NCAP regulations, introduced in 2009, it still qualifies for the maximum five-star overall rating.

It comes with front airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags, whiplash protection, side impact protection and an electronic stability and traction control system to help prevent skids and losing control of the car. It is available with a blind spot indicator near the door mirrors that lights up whenever a car is sitting in the blind spot area. Volvo has also fitted a programme (Intelligent Driver Information System) which delays any non-essential information or phone calls if the driver is pre-occupied with demanding tasks such as accelerating or braking heavily.

On paper the C30 has a large boot capacity – 433 litres to be precise – considerably more than an Audi A3 or a Mercedes-Benz CLC. But in reality it seems much smaller. That’s not helped by the odd-shaped glass tailgate. While it’s a neat piece of design, it’s a case of form over function and it means loading the boot with heavy or larger items isn’t very easy, hampered by the high load lip.

There is a soft load cover which clips into position so items in the boot aren’t on show, but it feels cheap and old-fashioned for what is a premium car and doesn’t retract. There is, however, also the option of a hard cover while under the floor of the boot is a handy storage area. Storage in the front could be better though. There’s a useful central cubby, but the door pockets are narrow.