2008 Volvo C30
by Jim Prueter -07/2008

Smallest and least expensive Volvo is also its best

The fact that the 2008 Volvo C30 is the smallest and least expensive offering in the lineup doesn’t keep it from being its best. The C30 is a terrific little car that’s hugely entertaining to drive and so easy on the eyes it evoked smiles and thumbs-ups everywhere we drove it.

We say little because the well-equipped C30, which is built on the same basic platform as the Volvo S40 sedan and V50 sport wagon, is just shy of 14 feet long and a is full 8.5 inches shorter and 330 pounds lighter, with inches trimmed from both the front and rear leaving short overhangs. It seats four rather than five.

Seats from Volvo, of course, have always been recognized as the best and most comfortable in the industry. Makes you wonder why parent company Ford doesn’t use them in more of their products.

Volvo uses standard Kalix T-Tec, the same material used in wet suits and outdoor clothing, to cover the seats. Leather is optional, but why spend the money? These seats fit the anatomy perfectly, back, bottom, thighs and hips. No complaints from any of those areas during long rides thanks to the multitude of manual adjustments and a steering wheel that both tilts and telescopes.

The C30 takes it exterior styling cues — such as the full glass rear liftgate — from the Volvo P-1800 ES imported from 1971-1973. Fewer than 2000 made the trip. Retro styling alone doesn’t make for an attractive design, but this execution is clearly the best rendition since the remake of the Mini Cooper a few years ago.

Inside the razor-thin dash console is lifted from the S40 and V50 with four simple control knobs, two each for the audio system and climate control and a center operation resembling a TV remote control for other operations. Materials are soft to the touch, brushed aluminum trimmed and simple — like something you’d pick up at IKEA. There’s nothing high-tech here, not bad but not nearly as exciting or as attractive as the Mini interior.

The steering wheel and shift knob just feel great in the hands. The floor mats are an oddity, the first we’ve seen with reflective piping material. For what reason we don’t know.

C30 is available in three models: Version 1.0 ($23,695), Version 2.0 ($26,445) and a limited production of 400 R-Design ($26,445). All three models are designated as T5 on the rear deck, a nod to the turbocharged five-cylinder engine.

All three are powered by the same turbocharged 2.5-liter, five-cylinder, 227-horsepower engine mated to a front-wheel-drive with either a six-speed manual shifter or optional five-speed automatic with a manual-shift gate ($1250). Our tester came with the six-speed so we didn’t drive an automatic, but it would be hard to imagine owning this vehicle without the manual. The shifter is a joy, easy to use and connected to a clutch that engages so smoothly and softly there was never a herky-jerky engine-killing start. Engagement and shifting are butter-smooth.

We’ve never been fans of Volvo’s T5 powerplant in other models, but it was sheer pleasure in the C30. Rough running? Nope. Dreaded turbo-lag? Nope. Noisy? Not here. Everything is crisp and smooth. Premium fuel is recommended.

Zero-to-60 mph acceleration with our manual shifter comes in at just a tick over six seconds. We enjoyed how the C30 loved to wind through the gears and up to redline on the tachometer with not so much as a hesitation or complaint. Absolutely delightful to drive.

With our Version 2.0 tester’s sport-tuned suspension and 18-inch Pirelli tires, the C30 handled corners with aplomb. Steering was precise, light and perfectly balanced with the suspension dynamics.

Some things we didn’t like: The headlights are always on unless you completely shut the vehicle off, no Bluetooth connectivity, six-disc in-dash CD changer would be nice, cruise control and most exterior colors are extra, there are no rear seat armrests and no auto-dimming rearview mirror.

As with all Volvos, there’s a full complement of standard safety gear including stability and traction control, antilock brakes, front, side and side-curtain airbags, whiplash protection head restraints, rollover protection system, tire-pressure monitoring system and a rear fog light. Crash-test results are not yet available.

The tested Version 2.0 had a base sticker price of $26,445, including air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, heated rear window with wiper, alloy wheels, premium sound system with auxiliary input and MP3 player compatibility, steering wheel controls, Sirius Satellite radio and illuminated vanity mirrors. Passion Red is the only no-cost exterior color; Ice White is $25 with the remaining nine colors costing from $475 to $625 extra.

Options included metallic paint ($475), front fog lights ($295), cruise control ($185), sport gearshift knob ($100), sport steering wheel ($150), and a custom build fee of $300 for the privilege of buying individual factory-installed options from what Volvo calls the Custom Build List of over 30 items. Volvo says they need to charge the fee because it costs more to build these vehicles by pulling them off the regular assembly line to install the features. Sounds a lot like the airlines’ charging to check a bag or for a soft drink.

Volvo expects to sell about 6000 C30s in the U.S. this year. Through June, sales have reached just 2350 which is about 400 per month. Mini Cooper has sold over 26,000 in the same time.

Overall, we found little to fault in the little hatchback. It’s delightful to drive, wonderfully maneuverable, looks terrific and returned decent gas mileage.