Overview & Reviews

The 2009 Volvo C30 drops the software-inspired 1.0 and 2.0 trim level names in favor of the new T5 and T5 R-Design monikers. New features include a long list of exterior and interior styling tweaks, changes to options packages and enhanced navigation operation.

• Funky-cool Swedish styling, comfortable ride and front seats, excellent driving position, customizable options list.

• Lacks the sporty fun of other hot hatches
• Those customizable options can get expensive.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 18 of 18.00

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  Love this car! - 2009 Volvo C30
  By New C30 Owner - November 16 - 8:40 am

  Not the fastest thing out there, but no slouch. Nice balance between comfort and performance. Will do the daily commute in style while still offering some great spirited driving when the whim strikes. Can work as a family care for small families. My kids love riding in it. Cargo is small, but 3 Staples copy paper boxes fit in a single layer with the seats up. Not huge space, but very usable. Width will allow a McLaren folding stroller to just fit. Great storage around the spare tire for all those things you should have like jumper cables and ice scrapers but dont need just floating around the car. Basically a well thought out little luxury car.

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  Best in Class, Value and Otherwise - 2009 Volvo C30
  By Paul - June 14 - 7:26 am

  Strangely, this exquisite, sophisticated car is being overlooked in rankings because its drive isnt quite as "fun" as other cars. Meanwhile, it has twice the warranty of the far less dependable VWs, and has a solid reputation for reliability and has best in class safety. Being a grown up, I value those two aspects far more than the fun factor, which to me is represented well enough by the zippy engine, which, btw, is the same engine you get on most of the more expensive Volvos, so its a deal at this price. The C30s cost of ownership due is extremely low due to the expanded warranty package that makes it much more like buying a BMW, but for much less money. Best value anywhere.

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  C30 T5 R-Design WOW - 2009 Volvo C30
  By SAAB 9-2X owner - February 23 - 11:03 pm

  I currently own and drive an 05 SAAB 9-2X Aero loaded with everything sport & winter packages etc. etc. I test drove a fully loaded C30 T5 R-Design last Friday. It was similar to my SAAB-aru in handling and quickness but has a quieter ride and with more safety features. I was very impressed with everything about this car. I especially liked the six speed manual trans.

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  A Beauty - 2009 Volvo C30
  By old guy - June 12 - 8:20 pm

  Turbo w/ 6sp manual is terrific getting shade over 26mpg. Solid ride, nimble handling, low road noise, comfortable and ergonomic for driver, and styling is a standout from the rest of the crowd. Interior, dash, & instrumentation is clean and utilitarian.

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  This is what I was looking for - 2009 Volvo C30
  By FormerTruckOwner - April 16 - 11:13 am

  Ive only had this car a few weeks, but was looking for almost 2 years. Drove a truck. Was perfect when I got it, but now I have wife, kids, dog, and commute. I needed a practical car, but needed to carry the family on occasion, carry the dog, make dump runs, tow, and be comfortable day to day. Id also like something fun that had a little power, but not a huge engine. I knew I wanted a small luxury type car, but they are almost absent in the USA. Especially in a hatchback (for the dog). But in looking at the Mazda 3, I found out about the Ford C1 platform and the fact that the Mazda, Volvo, and European Ford Focus are built on it. This is the car I was looking for. Nothing else fit

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  New C30 is having many issues - 2009 Volvo C30
  By davido - June 28 - 11:53 am

  Decided to trade my 2006 S40 for a new C30. Since Ive had the car, the passenger airbag light shows that the airbag is not on sometimes when passengers sit there. The first time I was told nothing was wrong with it, but it surfaced again. At the same time I noticed an oil leak in my garage. The car has 500 miles on it, and I wish I had the one with 85,000 that I traded in. This time, they told me that the airbag issue was a software upgrade problem (not sure why they didnt do this before delivering to me or last time it was in). Oil is from the oil cooler.

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  Great little car - 2009 Volvo C30
  By D - September 20 - 9:23 pm

  We bought a C30 on our return to the US after a few years overseas. Previously wed owned a 2003 VW GTi and a 2001 Porsche Boxster but now we only need one car. The C30 has everything we require -- more refined than the VW and, okay, not a Porsche but much cheaper to run. Space is fine for the two of us and the performance is more than good enough. When we bought it the trip computer software had not been loaded. The dealerships salespeople said it wasnt available on the manual. This simply was not true and the mechanics at the dealership installed it in a few minutes when we took it for its first service.

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  C30 rocks - 2009 Volvo C30
  By vicki walker - December 2 - 3:06 am

  This is my first Volvo. I wanted something sporty, sexy and safe. The C30 is all of these. This unique vehicle looks and drives like a sports car; yet, there is still room for kids or pets. My car came loaded with features I really did not think I needed, but now I have discovered that the bluetooth is heaven; the moon roof lights up my ride; the heated seats are cool and the stereo makes for a sweet commute. I love my new C30!