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2009 Volvo C30 Review

February 21, 2009

STYLING | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

front end is instantly recognizable
Edmunds

chopping off the tail has the visual effect of exaggerating the front overhang
Car and Driver

The wild child of the Volvo family
Motor Trend

The contemporary styling of the Volvo C30 has drawn rave reviews from nearly all automobile magazines and consumer car Web sites.

Car and Driver compares the 2009 Volvo C30 to "an S40 sedan made over with a butt tuck...and all-new clothes." In addition to shaving off about 200 pounds, "chopping off the tail has the visual effect of exaggerating the front overhang, amplifying the wedge shape created by the beltline rising as it seeps toward the tail."

Automobile.com notes that "unlike the S40, the C30's front fenders swell slightly at the wheels, and the rear shoulder is deeper than on any other Volvo." The hindquarters give shape to the C30; Volvo bestows the hatchback with its own identity courtesy of the unique S-curve of the fenders and glass. "The taillights trace that shoulder shape, framing a very cool glass hatchback." The wheelbase is identical to the sedan, but the Volvo designers chopped off 8.8 inches from the back.

Calling the C30 the "wild child of the Volvo family," Motor Trend says the C30's front end resembles that of the S40 and V50, while the rear end has Volvo's cult-classic wagonette's signature all over it. Edmunds reports that although the "front end is instantly recognizable" with contemporary Volvo styling, "the unusual hatchback draws inspiration from the classic 1800ES of the 1970s."

The interior of the C30 borrows from the S40 and V50. “The signature thin, 'floating' center console from the S40/V50 has been incorporated into the C30's interior design,” ForbesAutos notes. Motor Trend nods in favor of the “S40-esque cockpit adorned with Volvo's now ubiquitous T-Tec upholstery and floating center console, familiar effects that mesh nicely with the leather-wrapped sport steering wheel and shift knob.” Edmunds says, “The distinctive floating console is present and correct, although it can now be specified with an aluminum surf pattern or even with glossy white finish inspired by iPod."

TheCarConnection.com contends that Volvo's compact two-door model is a solid offering, and it's a wedgy, hot-looking hatch with a unique rear end and lots of personality. The interior treatment is particularly handsome.

Conclusion

Volvo enters the realm of cool with the 2009 Volvo C30.

STYLING | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:front end is instantly recognizableEdmundschopping off the tail has the visual effect of exaggerating the front overhangCar and DriverThe wild child of the Volvo familyMotor Trend The contemporary styling of the Volvo C30 has drawn rave reviews from nearly all automobile magazines and consumer car Web sites. Car and Driver compares the 2009 Volvo C30 to "an S40 sedan made over with a butt tuck...and all-new clothes." In addition to shaving off about 200 pounds, "chopping off the tail has the visual effect of exaggerating the front overhang, amplifying the wedge shape created by the beltline rising as it seeps toward the tail." Automobile.com notes that "unlike the S40, the C30's front fenders swell slightly at the wheels, and the rear shoulder is deeper than on any other Volvo." The hindquarters give shape to the C30; Volvo bestows the hatchback with its own identity courtesy of the unique S-curve of the fenders and glass. "The taillights trace that shoulder shape, framing a very cool glass hatchback." The wheelbase is identical to the sedan, but the Volvo designers chopped off 8.8 inches from the back. Calling the C30 the "wild child of the Volvo family," Motor Trend says the C30's front end resembles that of the S40 and V50, while the rear end has Volvo's cult-classic wagonette's signature all over it. Edmunds reports that although the "front end is instantly recognizable" with contemporary Volvo styling, "the unusual hatchback draws inspiration from the classic 1800ES of the 1970s." The interior of the C30 borrows from the S40 and V50. “The signature thin, 'floating' center console from the S40/V50 has been incorporated into the C30's interior design,” ForbesAutos notes. Motor Trend nods in favor of the “S40-esque cockpit adorned with Volvo's now ubiquitous T-Tec upholstery and floating center console, familiar effects that mesh nicely with the leather-wrapped sport steering wheel and shift knob.” Edmunds says, “The distinctive floating console is present and correct, although it can now be specified with an aluminum surf pattern or even with glossy white finish inspired by iPod." TheCarConnection.com contends that Volvo's compact two-door model is a solid offering, and it's a wedgy, hot-looking hatch with a unique rear end and lots of personality. The interior treatment is particularly handsome. ConclusionVolvo enters the realm of cool with the 2009 Volvo C30.  2009 VOLVO C30 STYLING | [9 out of 10] Edmunds: "front end is instantly recognizable” Car and Driver: "chopping off the tail has the visual effect of exaggerating the front overhang" Motor Trend: "The wild child of the Volvo family" The contemporary styling of the Volvo C30 has ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

TheCarConnection.com editors have previously tested all of the competitors for the Volvo C30. The two most relevant competitors are the MINI Cooper and Volkswagen GTI. Both are two-door hatchbacks that have sporty yet practical personalities. The Cooper is the extrovert of the group, seemingly always yelling, "Look at me, I'm cute!" Style aside, the turbocharged Cooper S will run circles around the C30 in terms of outright performance. The GTI is certainly more Germanic in character, and it handily outperforms the C30 dynamically and in straight-line acceleration. However, living with the GTI means you'll be seen as the driver of a VW Rabbit econo-car in the eyes of some, which makes it less appealing than the 2009 Volvo C30. The Audi A3 and TT lead in interior style, with the A3's wagon body style offering greater practicality than the Volvo C30 (interior volume and access to that space). Both Audis are more expensive than the hatchback Volvo. The BMW 1-Series is dynamically superior to the Volvo, but it is a completely different and more expensive animal. The Bimmer is also the only rear-wheel-drive entry in this group.

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See the Volvo C30 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008

Comments (4 total)

  1. By  c30 — best hatchback #1, Posted: 5/10/2009

    perfect car

    Good-looking, classy small hatchback; solid and safe; comfortable and fun to drive.

  2. By  c30 — best hatchback #2, Posted: 5/10/2009

    perfect car

    Good-looking, classy small hatchback; solid and safe; comfortable and fun to drive.

  3. By glenda graham #3, Posted: 9/9/2009

    I was at a dealership in Warren Ohio and was treated very poorly. Volvo makes a great car but the dealership was very unprofessional and I left without a car I was lied to and wasted 4 days and never purchased a car due to the sales personal. I will never refer this dealership to anyone nor will I purchase a vehicle from them. I hope you look into this matter. I'm sure I am not the only one who was treated this way. Thank you Glenda

  4. By Ohio Buyer #4, Posted: 10/21/2009

    Glenda,
    Suggest you visit Byers Volvo in Columbus. A bit of a drive but you can strike a great bargain on a C30 there. They are a high volume dealer with no hassle negotiating. I called them direct and test drove 2 out of 4 available cars before making a decision. I bought from them after shopping all dealers within 150 miles and drove down to pick out and purchase the car from Akron. Bought a silver metalic '09 in May with sun roof and manual transmission for $21,500! Absolutely love the car! The price was lower than a used stone black basic '08 with automatic I'd test driven in Akron the month before that had 8,000 miles on it. They also had great financing available 4.24% with no upfront fees.

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