Volvo C30 Review

The Volvo C30 may seem like a drastic departure for the Swedish automaker famous for sedans and wagons shaped like big blocks of cheddar, but in reality, it's not without significant family ties. Two-door hatchbacks are certainly not what people think of when Volvo enters a conversation, and true enough, the company hasn't sold one in North America since the 1800ES coupe of the 1970s. But there's a missing link in the C30's design evolution, a car intended for American roads but ultimately never brought over here: the Volvo 480. Sold in Europe from 1986-'95, this hatchback reveals a bit more of the family genes.

Like the 1800ES and 480, the Volvo C30 is a small two-door coupe with a large glass hatchback that provides a distinctive look and abundant rear visibility. Like the 480, the C30 features four bucket seats, front-wheel drive, a turbocharged engine and handling that's sporty but not quite at hot-hatch standards. We're glad that Volvo has once again deemed us worthy of its spunky entry-level coupe.

Current Volvo C30

The Volvo C30 is a two-door hatchback that seats four people. It is available in two trim levels: T5 and T5 R-Design. Standard equipment includes alloy wheels, a 50/50-split rear seat, full power accessories, a tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, a CD audio system and the full docket of Volvo's safety systems. The T5 R-Design adds bigger wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, exclusive exterior and interior styling, cruise control and a 10-speaker surround-sound audio system with satellite radio. Many but not all of these features are available as options for the base T5. Notable additional options include leather upholstery and a hard-drive-based navigation system.

Mechanically, the Volvo C30 bears some relation to the S40 sedan and V50 wagon. Its suspension has been tuned to be firmer, but otherwise this is still a car designed with comfort and everyday drivability in mind. Think of it as a temperate hatch, not a hot one. Nevertheless, the C30's standard turbocharged five-cylinder engine makes a healthy 227 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Zero to 60 mph is said to be achieved in just over 7 seconds. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with a five-speed automatic optional.

In reviews, our editors have commented favorably on the C30's spunky yet refined nature. It's sporty enough to satisfy most drivers, yet it retains a comfortable ride. We like the nifty "floating" center stack, too. We think the C30's low base price and lengthy options list should enable it to meet the needs of a variety of different buyers. Whether you're looking for Volvo safety at a budget price or a hip hatch with customizable colors and features, the C30 fills the bill. However, the numerous luxury options can elevate the C30 above 30-grand territory, and we're not sure it warrants that price.

Used Volvo C30 Models

The Volvo C30 debuted for the 2008 model year with different trim levels -- Version 1.0 and Version 2.0 -- but much the same equipment, though the R-Design styling tweaks were a separate option. Notably, the navigation system for 2008 was not as advanced as the current hard-drive-based unit.