Overview & Reviews

The 2008 Volvo C30 hatchback is an all-new model.

• Funky Swedish styling inside and out, comfortable ride, powerful turbocharged engine, excellent driving position, customizable options list.

• Can get pricey quickly, not as sporty as other premium hatches.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 59.00

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  Well built speed machine! - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Good Job Volvo - September 5 - 3:36 pm

  I have owned this car for 8000 miles now. I wanted to get in some seat time and see how the car would responed to my new born daughter and her car seat before I write a review. Volvo has indeed out done itself. From the ordering process to the driving experience(minus the build time). I was hooked the second I jumped in and cranked the key. My wife and I were worried about our daughters car seat. We have a Graco rear facing seat with the quick release base. I have only two complaints about this. One, is that you have to move the seat forward in order for it to fit. Luckily for my wife she is small. The second is locking of the seat after I put the car seat in or out of the car

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  C30 11 months old now - 2008 Volvo C30
  By C30Dude - August 30 - 11:10 pm

  My 2008 C30 T5 with geartronic auto is still doing well. it has 14,000 miles on it. I love the performance. I get approx 22 mpg combined (mostly city & little highway) and 29 mpg highway on long trips. I still dont see many on the road in southern california, but that makes it even more cool!

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  Fun to drive but below average reliability - 2008 Volvo C30
  By volvo_c30 - August 28 - 11:58 pm

  I had this car for 6-7 years now and had about 74K miles. My previous car are all Japanese and I consider myself a conservative driver. Never had an accident with this car yet. I like this car as it is fun to drive, great handling, solid on the turns. The down side is reliability. Up to now I had temperature sensor replaced, 12V plug replaced, front passenger seat unable to re track properly and the front left axle/hub seems to be clicking on certain right turns. Just like a problematic cv joint problem. brought to the mechanic and he has no clue even the issue is duplicated. So bottom line is be ready to shell out some money for routine repair and they are not cheap sine its European.

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  A breath of fresh air on the road - 2008 Volvo C30
  By boomerboy12 - August 3 - 8:10 am

  Picked up my C30 after my 2007 S40 was totaled by a drunk driver (luckily I wasnt). The cars styling is so unique and the T5 engine smooth as can be (much smoother and more responsive than the 2.4i in the S40). Its a shame that the fuel efficiency isnt as good as what one might hope, but it is still acceptable considering the performance and overall package. Another negative for some might be the small and rather high opening of the hatch. The C30 is more of a looker hatch than one you would want to haul stuff around in. Just keep that in mind and you wont be disappointed.

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  One Year There (almost) - 2008 Volvo C30
  By ph001c - July 10 - 7:20 pm

  I purchased this car in Aug 2008. The 2009s had been released and I got a killer deal. I as replacing an 11yo Honda Civic with suspension upgrades that I *loved*. I did not think I could find a car to replace the Civvie. I really wanted an A4 Avant with manual (good luck finding one) but wound up x-shopping the A3, GTI, Mazda 3, Focus and Impreza. I have drove them all. The C30 was the best package for me. We have a two year old daughter but we also run a Mazda CX9. I only needed marginal utility. The C30 has just enough. (I recently took a road trip to hike the Grand Canyon. Three guys, full packs/gear.) The C30 is a superb touring car.

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  Fun all around - 2008 Volvo C30
  By bas3 - December 15 - 10:04 pm

  Purchased my C30 in 2008 as a Dealer promotional model (traded in a 2004.5 S40). Now has around 70k miles and is holding up well. One issue- HVAC fan was replaced under warrenty before 15k miles. Excellent commuter vehicle with enough zip to manuvre in heavy (Chicago) traffic with confidence. Very comfortable long range cruiser (I take at least eight 8+ hour trips each year) even with three in the car. Plenty of leg room in back for 6 footers even on long trips, though taller passengers might end up feeling cramped after a few hours. Fuel economy is average (I get about 23/ 24 mpg in city and stop and go rush hour traffic, up to about 26/ 27 for long freeway cruising). FYI, auto tran.

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  Unique and fabulous - 2008 Volvo C30
  By rwisem - September 30 - 4:36 am

  Fell in love with the design and the test drive clinched the deal. Ordered custom built. Terrific to drive, comfortable and quiet, but is a tiger when you step on it. The sound system may be the best stereo Ive ever owned and I dont have the 10 speaker Dynaudio set up

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  Volvo Smooth - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Dave - December 22 - 9:23 pm

  This car is great. It zips around like a sportster, while being extremely comfortable, smooth riding and safe. It has average acceleration and fuel economy if you accelerate at 2,500 - 3,000 rpms. But hammer down the gas pedal and at 5,000 - 5,500 rpms you are getting a thrust of acceleration. Of course that thrust comes at a price of lower fuel economy.

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  Roadster with practical side - 2008 Volvo C30
  By wadlust - November 29 - 3:59 am

  I bought C30 four and half years ago used with 20K. The handsome external design expresses my style well. It is practical (overall small size, with easy back seat conversion to increased cargo volume), well balance (power and mileage), and simple inside. I used it to transport tools and materials for home improvement, to take my dog to the park, to go skiing (roof ski rack), and to go on hikes from trail heads far into the Washington state Cascade mountain roads. This car does all of this at good mileage, reliable services, and sporty feel. At 85K, so far I have had door auto lock relays replaced on warranty (it was locking door without command to do so). Windshield was replaced at 60K.

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  Very Enjoyable. - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Rob S. - August 31 - 3:13 pm

  It gets a lot of looks! It gets up and goes as soon as you get around 3500 RPM. Im use to cars with much larger engines however this car motors effortlessly without much engine noise. The controls are easy to manage and the upgraded sound system is great! A must have! The only one thing I dislike is that you feel every bump in the road. Otherwise great car.