The 2008 C30 hatchback is based on Volvo's compact S40 sedan. It is a four-passenger vehicle with an abundance of safety features and a high-output engine. I was absolutely surprised at how fast Volvo's C30 hatchback really was. It gets you down the freeway quickly with power that is usually reserved for the more expensive, high-powered vehicles.
Up front, the C30 shows the traditional Volvo face with an upright, diagonally-bisected grille. Dark fender overhangs flow toward the air dam, and from most front angles they dominate the C30's stance. Eighteen-inch, five-spoke, alloy wheels are available.
The interior can seat four adults comfortably. Rear bucket seats are positioned slightly more inward than the front seats, allowing more forward visibility from the back seats. Up front, the dashboard looks much like the Volvo S4 compact, with an ultra-thin center panel incorporating climate control and audio control.
The C30 has a 2.5-liter, 5-cyclinder, turbocharged, all aluminum engine with DDHC Variable Valve Timing 227 horsepower with 5000 RPM and 236 lbs. of torque. My C30 had front wheel drive and 6-speed manual transmission.
Speaking of manual transmission, I usually hate to drive a non-automatic transmission vehicle. But this Volvo shifted easily and never died on me a single time when I had to stop, as other standard shifts have done. There is nothing more embarrassing than your car dying in mid-intersection while you find and shift into the proper gear.
Side-impact and side curtain airbags are standard, and Volvo's Blind Spot Information System is optional. BLIS uses a camera mounted next to each side mirror to warn the driver of nearby cars.
An AM/FM stereo radio with single CD player featuring 4X40 watt amplifier with eight speakers, auxiliary input, and MP3 player capability are found in the C30; the audio controls are in the steering wheel.
Volvo has a 48 month/50,000 mile limited warranty coverage, and 144- month corrosion protection (unlimited mileage).
EPA fuel economy estimate is 19 mpg in the city and was 28 on the highway. I must confess, I didn't get mileage that good. But I tend to drive the vehicles pretty hard and the terrain and road surface varied greatly.
Although the C30 is a compact car, I found it roomy enough to handle my bulky 210 lbs. in comfort, with more than adequate legroom for my six-foot frame. Even though I tend to move my seat more forward than most, there was clearly sufficient headroom for my head and Yankees ball cap.
The price for the Volvo C30, even though loaded with items like heated rear window, split folding rear seat, and tailgate warning system, is less than $24,000.
The C30 is great for young singles or newly married couples or old fat guys like myself. Now if you have three or four kids and heavy-set in-laws, then wait until the kids grow up and the in-laws slim down. Then get the Volvo C30 and be as pleased as I was.
Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or dcaussey@sbcglobal.net .
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