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Volvo C30 - What the Auto Press Says

The C30 is pitched at younger customers, and reviewers generally like its high-performance engine and stylish appearance. However, poor cargo room and predicted reliability detract from its appeal. 

But despite its cool looks the C30 has shortcomings that have hurt its overall appeal. Cargo space is sparce, particularly when compared to the rest of the class. Plus the interior's conservative styling might not entice Volvo's youthful target audience for the C30. Another snag to some -- although the Volvo C30's base price is relatively modest, options can quickly drive up the cost. "Like some Swedish build-it-yourself furniture, the options add handsomely to the price," Automobile Magazine writes. "Depending on the level of equipment, the C30 is actually almost $3,000 more than a GTI when outfitted similarly."  Finally, the C30's predicted reliability isn't great, which drives down its overall score and place in the rankings. 

The 2008 Volvo C30 is offered in Version 1.0, Version 2.0 and R-Design trims.

• "It offers cute looks, sporty performance, and sharp handling in a compact package." -- Car and Driver
• "Volvo has injected the C30 with shots of style and speed." -- Motor Trend
• "This is a sporty coupe-hatch done the Volvo way and there's nothing wrong with that for those who value Volvo's approach." -- Road and Track
• "It's so much fun to drive, so sophisticated in its features, that one can easily forgive any shortcomings." -- About.com
• "Overall, the Volvo C30 is good looking, fun to drive, and offers the easily accessible cargo utility of a hatchback. Volvo set out to build a fun, sporty car aimed at active young buyers, and has accomplished its task." -- New Car Test Drive
• "It's a tasty new addition to America's slowly growing menu of bite-size cars." -- Automobile Magazine

C30 Performance - 7.7 (Good)

Reviewers report the 2008 Volvo C30's performance as excellent for its class. Car and Driver reports, "coordinated responses" from the clutch shift, "wonderfully linear" brakes," and steering that "zeros in on 'straight down the road' when you cruise." All in all, the C30 is summed up as "a car that knows how to act." Read More

C30 Exterior - 8.6 (Very Good)

Reviewers like the way the 2008 Volvo C30 looks, calling it modern, even muscular. Motor Trend says, "The curvy, ultramodern profile is the C30's strongest suit." Read More

C30 Interior - 7.8 (Good)

Critics believe that the 2008 Volvo C30's interior is fairly comfortable, but some do question whether it will appeal to the younger buyers Volvo wants to attract. Road and Track describes the cabin as comfortable with easy-to-read controls. "Trouble is," they write, "the colors are on the dour side and for a car with sporting pretensions and targeting young-at-heart buyers, they're not dynamic enough." Read More

C30 Safety - NA

The 2008 Volvo C30 has not yet been rated in federal government crash tests. However, reviewers are impressed with the available safety features. Read More

C30 Reliability - 4.0 (Mediocre)

The 2008 Volvo C30 reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The C30 is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile warranty. Read More