2009 Volvo C30 Review
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Overview

The Volvo C30 is a two-door hatchback that shares most of its mechanicals with Volvo's compact S40 sedan and V50 wagon. While similar to these cars, the C30 has considerably less standard equipment, allowing Volvo to make it its lowest priced car.

That value pricing doesn't make the C30 a typical economy car, though. Instead it's more similar to the Audi A3 and Volkswagen GTI class of sporty hatchbacks, a fun-to-drive car aimed at younger buyers.

And fun to drive it is: The C30 is Volvo's best handling car. It has good steering feel, stays flat in corners, and is nimble enough to slice through traffic. The 227-hp turbocharged five-cylinder engine provides plenty of punch to keep the fun coming. Ride quality is generally good, though it can become a little hard with the available 18-inch wheels.

Inside, the C30 offers a pleasant, fairly roomy cabin for four. The standard cloth upholstery is a unique fabric that resembles wetsuit material. Room up front is plentiful, and the controls are easy to spot and use. The two-door body style makes getting into the backseat a bit of a hassle, but the rear seat is comfortable for two passengers, provided they're not NBA players. Those rear seats fold down to create a large rear hatch area with lots of carrying capacity.

As Volvo's lowest priced car, the C30 is a bit raw. The five-cylinder engine is powerful, but makes coarse sounds. The cabin isn't as well insulated from exterior sounds as in other Volvos. Road noise is especially noticeable on rough pavement, a problem exacerbated by the open hatchback body style.

Changes for 2009 are mostly aesthetic. The uniquely trimmed R-Design model replaces Version 2.0. New options include an improved and more comprehensive navigation system.

Overall, the Volvo C30 is good looking, fun to drive, and offers the easily accessible cargo utility of a hatchback. Volvo's value pricing makes it affordable, but it also means that the standard equipment list is light (cruise control isn't standard). Volvo offers numerous Custom Build Options, so buyers can personalize their C30s, much like the Mini Cooper. With a few well-chosen options, the C30 can be a fine choice.

Model Lineup

The 2009 Volvo C30 is offered in two trim levels, designated T5 and T5 R-Design. Both have front-wheel drive and a 227-hp turbocharged five-cylinder engine. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a five-speed automatic is an option ($1,250).

The C30 T5 ($23,800) comes standard with cloth upholstery; air conditioning; keyless entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob; tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls; height-adjustable manual driver's seat; outside temperature display; power windows, locks and mirrors; 50/50 split-folding rear seat; 160-watt AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers; and 205/50R17 all-season tires on alloy wheels. The new Preferred Package ($1,595) adds premium Dynaudio stereo with Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound, a power-adjustable driver's seat, Keyless Drive, a trip computer, and fog lights. The Climate Package ($675) comprises heated front seats, headlight washers and rain-sensing wipers. Other options include a sunroof ($1,200), leather seating surfaces ($1,200), Sirius satellite radio ($395), and a Bluetooth interface ($295).

The C30 T5 R-Design ($25,950) adds cruise control, two-tone Leather/Flextech upholstery, aluminum interior trim, and blue-faced instruments. Outside, R-Design is distinguished by additional bright trim and body-color (rather than black) wheel flares and sill extensions. A sport suspension is complemented by 215/45R18 tires, although buyers can order the base model's smoother-riding 17-inch wheels and tires if that's what they prefer. Full leather is available ($200), and options expand to include HDD navigation ($2,205).

More options are available for both models, but to order most items we haven't already listed the customer has to pay a one-time Custom Build Charge ($300), plus the cost of the options, of course. But that one $300 payment opens the door to more than 30 additional items, and that's not counting more than a dozen custom wheel choices and an equal number of special colors. Some highlights: HDD navigation ($2,205), sport suspension ($275), cruise control ($185), and fog lights ($295) for the base T5; trip computer ($100); bi-xenon headlights ($700); heated front seats ($450); power-retractable side mirrors with puddle lamps ($250); alarm ($200); automatic climate control ($250); Keyless Drive ($450); power driver's seat ($450); power driver and passenger seat ($900); the Dynaudio stereo ($800); interior air filter ($200); Homelink universal garage door opener ($225); and auto-dimming rear-view mirror ($150).

Safety features include the mandated dual front airbags plus side-curtain airbags for head protection, and side-impact airbags for torso protection. Active safety features consist of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control (ESC), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. Rear obstacle detection ($400) and Volvo's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS, $695) are both Custom-Build options.