THIS isn't like any other Volvo you've ever come across. It looks good, svelte almost, with a real hint of menace about the front end, and it goes almost as well as it looks.

I say almost because, despite those wide tyres and big alloys, the C30 is more about show than real go. The 2.0-litre four is a nice cruiser but, with just 143bhp, if it's performance you are after then the C30 2.5 turbo is the way to go.

There are hints of the old 480 coupe about the C30's hatchback behind but, whereas the 480 had a rather bizarre beak-shaped nose complete with Seventies throwback pop-up headlights, the C30 has a thoroughly modern look.

Volvo reckons the C30 straddles two distinct parts of the market, the premium hatchback and the small coupe.

That puts it in direct competition with Audils A3, the BMW 1-Series and the Mini Cooper. Mind you, I reckon it's stretching things a bit to suggest the C30 could steal sales from the Audi TT or even the Nissan 350Z because it is neither big enough nor butch enough.

Still, what it has to offer makes for a very beguiling package.

Aside from the pleasing looks, the cabin is a nice place to sit, with logically placed controls and, in the test car at least, wonderfully comfortable leather seats.

The heating and ventilation systems are first class, as is the premium audio set up which is an object lesson in how to make controls like tuning the radio so simple even a child could find 693 Mhz Radio Five.

There is the trademark floating' centre console with its small oddments tray behind.

The interior is cosy, which is another way of saying it could probably do with a couple more inches of legroom particularly for drivers over six feet.

The big doors open nice and wide, though, so getting kids in and out of the back seats is easier than you'd imagine. I had no backaches after hoisting my three-year-old in and out during a week of testing.

The large doors negate the lack of four doors but things still get tricky if you are in a tight spot or bag the last spot in the supermarket car park.

Space in the back isn't bad, although the fairly shallow rear windows do make things a bit claustrophobic.

The boot is a bit titchy at just 200 litres and the soft luggage cover Volvo provides has plenty of give in case you misjudge the depth with a fragile item. If you need more room the back seats fold down, boosting capacity to 510 litres.

The glass tailgate is as small as the boot and there is an unfashionably high load lip.

The B6277 is one of my favourite roads for testing cars. It runs from Middleton, in Teesdale, over the north Pennines and down into Alston, in Cumbria.

Along the way you get the lot. For much of the time the road is like a snake, flowing in an undulating pattern across some pretty impressive countryside.

The twisty blacktop is challenging but fun because it is possible to see quite a long way ahead what's coming beyond the next couple of bends.

As if this isn't tough enough the road surface itself varies dramatically.

Some bits are racetrack smooth, others are pockmarked and full of treacherous holes. Throw in some adverse cambers, nasty expansion joints and suicidal sheep and you have a stern test for any car's chassis.

The C30 took things in its stride, although the worst bits of road did reveal a tendency for the suspension to crash over things rather than try to smother them.

There is plenty of grip from the front tyres and power steering points the C30 in the direction you require without fuss or drama.

Chasing the B6277 wasn't as much fun as it would have been in a hot Megane but the chassis didn't tie itself in knots like some cars I could mention.

According to the trade guides a Volvo C30 hangs on to its second-hand value very well. I can see why they are popular.

First, there's all the usual Volvo safety stuff (like the front seats that have been redesigned to reduce whiplash), a nicely appointed interior and a generally soothing drive.

All this is wrapped up in a stylish body that cuts a smart dash on the High Street. The R-Design bodykit adds a bit of extra visual flair.

About the only serious de-merits are the fairly parsimonious cabin space and a tight boot.

If you can live with those (and I reckon a lot of people could) and you want something that is stylish but not run-of-the-mill then the C30 is worth a good look.

SPECIFICATION

Engine: 2.0-litre four cylinder 16v petrol
Max power: 143bhp
Max speed: 136mph
0-60mph: 8.8 seconds
Fuel consumption on test: 33.2mpg
Emissions: 174 g/km CO2
Equipment: Electric windows, premium audio, full climate control, leather upholstery, alloy wheels, sports exhaust.