2009 Volvo C30 User Reviews

Pros

Fast, handles like a Mini cooper but with a bit more comfortable ride

Cons

What cons? There are NONE

Purchased As New

Funky-beautiful looks, better than expected gas mileage, awesome sound system, fantastic acceleration and sports car handling. This is not your Dad's Volvo

Pros

Handling, ride, and comfort. Base sound system rocks.

Cons

Bluetooth and cruise control should be standard.

Purchased As New

I got my C30 on Easter weekend in 2009. To this day, I still walk into the parking garage at work and my heart skips a beat at how beautiful the car is when I see it. My personal bias is that my choice of titanium grey metallic is a superior finish and shade for accentuating the smooth lines and contours vs., say, white or black. I've tested this car from a dead stop, and even with the automatic tranny, the 0-60 in 6.2 seconds holds true. Freeway acceleration is spectacular. Just a tiny tap of the the throttle and I pass slower moving traffic like it's standing still. The car is wonderfully quiet and the this thing absolutely glides at freeway speeds! I don't understand how other reviews take a point or two off for handling, because I've been able to dart in and out of rush hour traffic at both highway and city speeds without any issues of sluggisness or understeer. I think this vehicle is very responsive. The braking is quick and solid, there's almost no perception of the auto tranny shifting its gears, and I've been averaging 26 mpg combined. My C30 has the base 160 watt, eight speaker stereo system and I've been blown away by the sound quality. I've punched that volume up and up to the point of that the bass rattles the body plating, windows, and other cars surrounding me at a traffic light, and there's virtually zero detectable sound distortion. Mine came equipped with the iPod interface and HD radio standard. The iPod system works perfectly and the menu interface on the center stack is a breeze to use. The seats, are, well, like butta. My C30 came with the quartz leather. Although the seats are manual, the car came with the optional climate package with the seat heaters. The lumbar and butt support defy description. I have my seat configured as if I'm being cradled while I drive and it's soooo comfortable. I'm also 6' 2" and I have no headroom issues even with the sunroof. I've also driven a few times with rear seat passengers and everyone was accommodated comfortably. A couple of weeks ago, I read that the IIHS Crash tests scored the C30 as excellent in the small car category on side and front impacts. The minute safety details are also very interesting. For a brief time, I thought the rear window wiper was malfunctioning as it would come on when I was only flipping the windshield wipers on. I came to find out that the rear wiper will automatically function while the car is in reverse so rear view is unobstructed. The automatic rain sensor for the front wipers that came with the climate package is also pretty cool! The one peculiar personality trait is that one has to let the engine rev for about a minute after a cold start before driving. I think it has something to do with the turbo needing to spin and lubricate. If you try and drive off immediately, the engine is almost non-responsive (like trying to drive in 15 degree weather). One thing I am ticked off about is the better warranty and care package Volvo gave to purchasers of 2009 models starting in June 2009. They get longer and more comprehensive coverage than I do because I bought my car a month and half earlier. Grrrr....read morehide

Pros

Car is one of a kind. Nice trunk windshield to see out of.

Cons

Turn radius is terrible. Sits only 4 not 5.

Purchased As New

I've had this car since November 2008 and haven't looked back since. I love this car. It has great performance, reliable and has a sporty look. It gets people scratching their head when they see it.

Pros

Handling, Performance, Economy, Style, Safety, Room for Size

Cons

Rear Seat Space, Controls Confusing Sometimes, Price for size

Purchased As New

All I can say is fun fun fun. Anyone who purchases this car will enjoy it

Pros

Upscale but affordable hatchback that isn't marketed to the "Racer Boy" crowd.

Cons

Would have liked some of the T5 interior choices. Custom Build charge is bogus.

Purchased As New

I wanted a small luxury car. I saw plenty in Europe, but the US market seems to think that luxury means big with large engines. Well, this Volvo is a small luxury car. The hatch allows me to take our dog. No idea why hatchbacks are so reviled in the US as they make a lot of sense to me. Most hatchbacks are sold as "Racer Boy" cars with more emphasis on violating speed laws than being comfortable.

I wanted comfort, economy in operation, some power, and the ability to take the whole family. This meant a hatchback or small wagon. Looked at them all from the Honda Fit to the Mercedes C-Class. Kept coming back to the Volvo.

The car looks great. Not at all the boxy Volvos of the past. The interior is well laid out with a highly integrated control set that works as well as it looks. If you like to upgrade stereos, this isn't your car, but if you like something that looks like it was carefully integrated, the Volvo design works great.

Little touches make this car great. Fuel door unlock is on the dash, not hidden away in a hard to reach location. Cupholders pull out to give a large storage area with a sliding cover. Manual seats are almost as adjustable as high end power seats. The USB connector in the center console allows easy integration of your MP3 files. Heck, just use a USB memory stick. Keyless drive works just as you would want it to. The few options are easily adjusted in the menu system. Integrated Bluetooth is like having a built-in phone as it reads your phone's contacts and more. Climate control can alter the heat and cooling based on which side of the car the sun is shining. Sounds like a little thing, but the result is a comfortable temperature for anyone.

The engine is well done. Unlike the 'twitchy' nature of some small turbo cars, the power comes on quick and remains predictable. 'Normal' driving is comfortable, quiet, and efficient. If you want to play, just rev it up and go. Not as precise as a MINI, but not bad at all. Plenty of fun factor. If you need more, this same motor came from the factory in over 300hp in larger vehicles and there are plenty of sources for go-fast parts. Heck, you can easily get more than 260hp with just a retune of the factory parts.

Ride is good. Comfortable as a long distance or even daily commuter car. Just enough stiffness to keep the run factor.

The Custom Build is a one time charge of $300 to open up a bunch of options. If you want a bunch of stuff, it's no big deal, but if all you want is one item, it can add a lot of $$ to the cost of the option. I'd have rather seen slightly higher option prices than doing it this way. I did end up building a few more options than I might have because of the charge. Even so, I felt the car was worth the money. But given that charge required me to ding the value a bit.

My only real complaint is that when you opt for the higher priced R-Design, you lose a ton of interior options. Your only options are a black and white or all black interior. Don't get me wrong, the two-tone is sharp and VERY comfortable. But I might have opted for a lighter single color. I worry how the creme colored leather will hold up over the years. I also wonder how the creme trim on the floor mats will be to clean after a winter of slushy shoes.

A fun car. 65mph comes in second gear almost as fast as you can get the pedal to the floor. As a European design, it is perfectly happy to go fast and feel as solid as it does sitting still. The performance tires grip well, but cry for a true snow tire when things get cold and wet. I'll be buying a set for next season. I just hope we don't get too many more storms.

Unlike a lot of cars I've looked at in this size, this car is nice and quiet. I can't emphasize how much that makes for a comfortable trip. You can find other cars that feel good sitting in them, but have annoying road or engine noise on the highway.

Can't speak for reliability. See a lot of older Volvos out there....read morehide

Pros

Exclusive looks, solid feel, very quiet in the cabin.

Cons

With THAT engine, it could have driven a lot faster/louder

Purchased As New

No one believes it's a Volvo, Volvo really went all out with the C30- in every aspect. The car feels excellent, very solid built..makes you feel like you are driving a tank, with excellent handling. When driving on the highway i was impressed at how quiet it is in the cabin. After two weeks driving and testing, my conclusion: this is the sportiest Volvo ever. While some people including myself may have found the Volvo brand a little dull, this car has defenitely been a game changer for me... sportier than any other hatchback and definitely safer. You'll get a kick out of driving it, beats a Mini on the handling with its eyes closed. It's also great with gas, specially since you can pump it with 87 octane gas, instead of premium like any other car that compares with it. It's Swedish engineering at its best. While it has a great engine, with 227hp...the engine is tuned for safety first, hence, its full potential is limited by Volvo to preserve safety. Anyhow, i found it powerfull enough as is. Also, the back seats are actually very comfortable, big window on the rear seats make them ok for long trips. R-Design rims, spoiler, and leather seats are probably what most of my converstaions have been about this last weeks. Everyone comments on them (in a good way)...and over a 14 day period, all 14 days i've caught someone staring at my car...ive seen people speed up on the highway to get a better look of it...that kinda says it all....read morehide

Pros

Funky Look, very comfortable, fun to drive

Cons

would like to see an AWD model.

I have an 08 C30 V2 and just love this car! Its fun to drive, quick, and handles well. At the same time, on long distance trips it's very easy to drive w/ the cruise control. Mileage is not bad at just under 30 average (I've gotten as high as 32 highway). I like the adapter for my iPod. The back seat very comfortable (so I've heard!). Though, being the rear windows dont pop open, I'd not be happy back there. I've had the car 6 months and have 16000 miles. And I look forward to driving it to work every morning. The only draw back is it's FWD, not AWD. Other than that, I'm thrilled!...read morehide

Pros

28 - 30 MPG, With seats down Cargo room as big as my Station Wagon

Cons

Can't get to the back seats, radio and panel controls not user friendly

I like Volvo safety and dependability. The C30 handles well and has the same engine as XC Wagon.

Pros

Its a Volvo!

Cons

That it wasnt made sooner.

Bottom line..its a Volvo. There is nothing to not like about this vehicle and everything to love! The person who would '..rathe ride a donkey' is clueless when it comes to what Volvo is offering with the C30. Its just a shame that it wasnt available sooner. Cant wait to see what Volvo does next!...read morehide

Pros

Fun to Drive. 28 MPG Highway. Awesome stereo. Well built and safe.

Cons

Rear cargo area is a little tight otherwise no complaints.

I special ordered this car to my specs in April of 2008 and took delivery in June of 2008. I have no complaints. Very well built and safe car, and very FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would recomend special ordering the car you want with your specific options.. Level 2 package is a great upgrade with the body trim, suspension and great sound system... Highly recomended for the right person. Good and safe commuter car....read morehide