Tank Ledger

Volvo C30 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Volvo C30 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 2008 to 2013. Across those years its best rated version returned 24 mpg (2010) and its thirstiest returned 22 mpg (2008). The EPA record holds 18 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

24best combined mpg (2010)
22worst combined mpg (2008)
24latest year best (2013)
18configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2008423 mpg22 mpg#26 of 55 (54th pct)Front-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
2009423 mpg23 mpg#27 of 54 (51th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars
2010424 mpg24 mpg#29 of 59 (52th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars
2011224 mpg24 mpg#34 of 64 (48th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars
2012224 mpg24 mpg#49 of 76 (36th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars
2013224 mpg24 mpg#61 of 84 (28th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Volvo C30 placed highest in 2008 at #26 of 55, and lowest in 2013 at #61 of 84. It spent 3 of its 6 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 18 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20132.5L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Regular2.5L 5-cyl, turbocharged213024479.212.4$2,6003626/10
20132.5L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular2.5L 5-cyl, turbocharged212924479.212.4$2,6003616/10
20122.5L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular2.5L 5-cyl, turbocharged212924479.212.4$2,600370.2916666666667n/a
20122.5L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Regular2.5L 5-cyl, turbocharged213024479.212.4$2,600370.2916666666667n/a
20112.5L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular2.5L 5-cyl, turbocharged212924479.212.4$2,600370.2916666666667n/a
20112.5L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Regular2.5L 5-cyl, turbocharged213024479.212.4$2,600370.2916666666667n/a
20102.5L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular2.5L 5-cyl, turbocharged212924479.212.4$2,600370.2916666666667n/a
20102.5L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Regular2.5L 5-cyl, turbocharged213024479.212.4$2,600370.2916666666667n/a
20102.4L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular2.4L 5-cyl212924479.212.4$2,600370.2916666666667n/a
20102.4L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Regular2.4L 5-cyl203124479.212.4$2,600370.2916666666667n/a
20092.5L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular2.5L 5-cyl, turbocharged192823500.012.9$2,700386.39130434782606n/a
20092.5L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Regular2.5L 5-cyl, turbocharged192823500.012.9$2,700386.39130434782606n/a
20092.4L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular2.4L 5-cyl202823500.012.9$2,700386.39130434782606n/a
20092.4L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Regular2.4L 5-cyl202823500.012.9$2,700386.39130434782606n/a
20082.5L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium2.5L 5-cyl, turbocharged192722522.713.5$3,500403.95454545454544n/a
20082.4L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.4L 5-cyl202823500.012.9$3,350386.39130434782606n/a
20082.4L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium2.4L 5-cyl202823500.012.9$3,350386.39130434782606n/a
20082.5L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium2.5L 5-cyl, turbocharged192823500.012.9$3,350386.39130434782606n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2009 → 201023 → 24 mpg+1 mpg479 gal

What C30 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2013 Volvo C30 burns 479 to 479 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

Pump priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$1,438$1,438$0
$3.50/gal$1,677$1,677$0
$4.00/gal$1,917$1,917$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2013 model year is $2,600 to $2,600 a year in fuel, or $1,750 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Compact Cars

Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 24 mpg the Volvo C30 is 2 mpg below the median, which is worth about $129 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Volvo nameplates

Every Volvo model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.