It's about time that Volvo came up with a car to give premium compact models like Audi's A3, BMW's 1 Series and Mercedes' A-Class something to think about. The Swedish marque's latest C30 is that car. It's exactly the kind of design I go for: desirable, low and wide with big wheels and four seats. It's also relatively affordable and well finished, with lots of standard equipment and a punchy stereo. What's not to like?

Of course, a three-door 'SportsCoupe' (as Volvo dubs this car) isn't going to be an ideal choice for families. For them, the Swedes make the V50 and V70 estate models, plus the XC90 4x4. No, the C30 is aimed at young, upwardly mobile men and women about town who need a certainly amount of practicality - but not too much. Volvo tell me that this car shares the same wheelbase as the S40 saloon, but the tape measure shows the C30 to be fully 22cm shorter. It scarcely seems possible that so much has been pared from the overhangs of the saloon car but such is the wheel-at-each-corner stance of the C30 that it measures just 4,248mm from stem to stern. I was impressed by fascinating design touches everywhere I looked around the car, from the floating instrument panel to the horseshoe tail lamps, the deep arc of the rear glass and the pumped-up Volvo shoulders that run from the front to the rear lights in one uninterrupted sweep. Inside, there's room for four adults, the rear seats folding flat to form a useful loading space. The stereo choice is also worth mentioning. As well as some quality basis systems, there's the option of something even the most pernickety audiophile would enjoy. The Premium Sound system features a digital 5x130w Alpine amplifier with Dolby Pro Logic Surround Sound and no fewer than ten Dynaudio speakers. In my opinion, Volvo are now challenging Lexus as the prime exponents of quality car audio.

You need to have a wide range of engines to offer in a car like this - and the Volvo doesn't disappoint. The line-up starts with the modest 99bhp 1.6-litre petrol unit and runs up to the 226bhp T5 turbo five-cylinder powerplant also used in Ford's Focus ST hot hatch. In between is a 1.6-litre 108bhp diesel, a 130bhp 2.0-litre diesel and another oil burner, the D5-badged 178bhp unit. There are 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol units as well but eco-conscious buyers can also opt for the 1.8-litre FlexiFuel model that can run on unleaded or renewable E85 bioethanol. Being a Volvo, I expected reams of press material with the car concerning the safety equipment. Nor was I disappointed. As well as the usual airbags and seat belt tensioners, the C30 serves up WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System), SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) and even the option of BLIS (Blind Spot Information System). This latter feature, I really liked. It acts much like an extra set of eyes and utilizes digital camera technology mounted in the door mirrors to monitor the areas 3m to each side and up to 9.5m behind the driver. If a vehicle enters this area, a symbol appears on the windscreen pillar near the rear view mirror to indicate that something's there when you take a quick look towards the mirror. Active at speeds above 10km/h, this system isn't the only safety benefit buyers of the C30 enjoy. Special water repellent glass is fitted to the mirrors and side windows. Water beads up on the glass and the airstream quickly clears it, leaving unimpeded visibility.

Could this be the most female-orientated Volvo the company has yet produced? It will certainly have a strong appeal to women, as well as to those with small families or those seeking a stylish second car. The C30 is something the Swedish marque should have done years ago. Now that it's here, I can see dealers having no shortage of takers.