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2011 Volvo C30 Review

A compact FWD 2-door that interweaves unique Volvo styling cues with well-proven mechanicals from the V50 and S40 lines, the 2011 C30 is designed to blur the established line between a station wagon and a conventional hatchback. New Volvo C30 is available in two trim levels: The well-appointed T5 and a top-of-the-line T5 R-Design. 2011 T5 R-Design includes more standard features, suspension upgrades, and R-inspired body kit and trim. Although the C30's closest direct competitors are the Volkswagen GTI and MINI Cooper, devotees of trendy personal transport modules might consider this high-profile newcomer as a good alternative for vehicles like the BMW 1 Series or Audi A3.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're willing to trade off a bit of conventional station wagon utility for a look that will definitely turn heads, the new 2011 Volvo C30's approach to style, comfort and performance could make it a very appealing choice.

You May Not Like This Car If...

While some potential buyers may find the 2011 Volvo C30's sheetmetal a bit too avant-garde, those wanting a true wagon will likely have bigger problems with its lack of rear passenger doors, diminutive hatch opening and modest cargo capacity.

What's Significant about this Car?

Central to the C30's revised front-end appearance is its new hood, front fenders, headlights and grille for 2011. The C30 T5 gains Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, a leather-wrapped shift knob and parking brake cover, a trip computer and cruise control, while the sporty T5 R-Design gains all this plus fog lights. The Custom Build Program has been eliminated for 2011.

Driving Impressions

A turbocharged five-cylinder engine endows both C30 variants with the same spirited acceleration, while Volvo's driver-selectable Dynamic Traction and Stability Control system and anti-lock disc brakes enhance their stopping capabilities and fundamentally solid handling. Beyond those basics, each embodies a slightly different variation on the theme. In T5 guise, the C30's personality is skewed towards buyers who put a higher priority on ride comfort than on precision responsiveness. If you're more inclined to spend time carving up corners than negotiating urban stop-and-go or long-distance freeway cruising, consider the T5 R-Design. Its slightly tauter suspension settings, lower ride height and upgraded wheel and tire package help quicken the C30's steering response, mildly reduce braking distances and trim body roll during hard cornering. Even at the R-Design level, the C30 retains an edge in overall ride compliance compared to the VW GTI and Mini Cooper. However, it does still fall a little short of those two with respect to absolute sportiness.

Favorite Features

Responsive Turbocharged Engine
Its wide, flat torque curve makes the C30's potent turbocharged five-cylinder engine a perfect match for this petite hauler, injecting a major dose of pure driving delight whether paired with the standard manual or optional automatic transmission.

Head-Turning Style
This modern-day reinterpretation of one of Volvo's most memorable sportwagon models has a distinctive visual presence that sets it apart from the competition but still maintains legitimate four-passenger practicality.

Exterior

The C30's larger grille looks a lot like the one on Volvo's XC60 crossover and should help keep the C30 contemporary looking as Volvo makes updates to its lineup in the coming years. One of the most interesting design elements of the two-door C30 is its glass hatch. Volvo says it lends an open feel to the interior; bystanders can see the center dashboard controls from behind.

Interior

The C30 borrows major cabin design elements from the V50 and S40, including Volvo's slim-line floating center stack that holds controls and switchgear for the audio and air conditioning. Aluminum-accent R-style trim in the R-Design model adds visual character that raises it well above the standard gray-plastic of the T5, but both versions are fitted with comfortable and supportive manually-adjustable bucket seats covered in Volvo's fabric-like T-Tek material (T5) or Premium leather (R-Design). The C30's rear quarters feature dual seats with enough head and leg room to accommodate two average-sized adults. Although folding the seatbacks increases cargo capacity from 12.9 to 20.2 cubic feet, the C30's smallish and oddly-shaped glass hatch does negatively impact the loading and unloading process.

Notable Standard Equipment

Beyond identical powertrains, the T5 and T5 R-Design also share a fairly expansive set of features, highlighted by a full array of power assists, air conditioning with cabin pollen filter, tilt and telescoping steering column, a driver information system, keyless remote entry, cruise control, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, anti-theft immobilizer system, front, front-side and side-curtain airbags, Volvo's side-impact and whiplash protection systems and anti-lock disc brakes with Electronic Brake Assistance. A 160-watt/six-speaker AM/FM/HD/CD/MP3 audio package with auxiliary audio and USB/iPod input jacks is standard on both, as are steering wheel mounted audio controls. The R-Design also gets Premium leather seating, fog lights, unique bodywork, chassis and interior trim enhancements.

Notable Optional Equipment

Highlighting the C30's conventional options list are an automatic transmission, leather upholstery, power glass moonroof, an HDD-based navigation system with real-time traffic updates and the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS). The Climate Package adds heated seats, Rain Sensor wipers, electronic climate control and headlight washers, while the Multimedia Package gains a 650-watt Dynaudio Surround Sound audio system and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. Check off the Preferred Package and you'll get a power front seats, Volvo's Keyless Drive and dual xenon headlamps.

Under the Hood

Both the T5 and T5 R-Design are fitted with identical powertrain elements. The lightweight-aluminum 2.5-liter turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine develops 227 horsepower at 5000 rpm and is fitted with variable valve timing that helps it make and maintain a constant 236 pound-feet of torque from 1500 to 5000 rpm. That expansive torque plateau ensures superb responsiveness, whether you back it with the base six-speed manual transmission or the optional five-speed Geartronic automatic that also incorporates a manual-style auto-stick function. The C30 can sprint from zero to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds with the manual and needs only 6.6 seconds to hit that mark with the automatic, even when left to shift for itself.

2.5-liter in-line 5 Turbocharged
227 horsepower @ 5000 rpm
236 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1500-5000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30 (automatic), 21/29 (manual)

Pricing Notes

The 2011 Volvo C30's Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price ranges from around $24,600 for a T5 to around $27,000 for the R-Design. Optiong for an automatic transmission will bump those figures by another $1,250, and supplementing big-ticket options like leather upholstery, a navigation system and a power moonroof can easily push either variant beyond the $30,000 mark. In general, the R-Design is expected to fare slightly better when it comes to holding value over time than the base T5; but neither comes close to the projected residual percentages for a MINI Cooper. The C30 projected values also trail those of the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, and the Volkswagen GTI.

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