HEAD TO HEAD
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday September 12, 2009
ALFA ROMEO MITOVALUESeats five, dual-zone climate control, sports seats, six-speaker audio with USB input, Bluetooth, 17-inch alloys, auto wipers and lights, rear parking sensors. Goofy nose.SAFETYFive-star EuroNCAP crash safety. Seven airbags, stability control, anti-lock brakes with hill-hold function.ENGINEBig-hearted, peaky 1.4-litre engine responds best once the car's electronics are set in "dynamic" mode.HOWIT DRIVESRide well balanced between sporting and comfortable. Big brakes. However, dynamics package let down by vague steering feedback.INSIDEDark materials make a quality cabin. Rear seats cramped.VERDICTExpensive for a light car but it has to be one of the best Alfas on the road today. Leave it in the dynamic setting by default.VOLVO C30 SVALUESeats four, dual-zone climate control, four-speaker audio with auxiliary input, fog lights, 16-inch alloys, lacks rear parking sensors. Sharp looks and stylish glass hatch.SAFETYFive-star EuroNCAP crash safety. Six airbags, stability control, anti-lock brakes, central child safety-lock button.ENGINEUnusual five-cylinder layout provides good low-down pulling power and five-speed auto loves city driving.HOWIT DRIVESMisses the mark with a ride that's a bit too unsettled. Steering is one of the better set-ups in the Volvo range but still not brilliant.INSIDESimple layout with classy cabin and signature floating console.VERDICTClassy runabout but average dynamics strongly suited to a life on city streets count against it.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald