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 1 through 10 of 18.00

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  Safety/ Quality issues - 2009 Volvo C30
  By Humble77338 - September 14 - 12:36 am

  Ive had a Volvo for 5 yrs so I thought a C30 was the way to go when replacing my other car. Oh was I wrong. In the 1st 200 miles, my passenger air bag was not working (pregnant wife refuses to ride in my new car now). The service depat. told me that they couldnt fit it in on a Saturday...too many more important oil changes I suppose.The dealer kept it for 3 days, and now the problem seems to have resolved itself. This morning (mile 500) I have an oil leak under my car. Im seeing that quality and safety are no longer top priorities with Volvo. Time to take it back again...more time off from work. Wish they would give me back my working trade-in so I could go elsewhere.

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  New volvo experience - 2009 Volvo C30
  By New c30 owner - March 9 - 5:03 am

  In general I am happy with my volvo c30 purchase. The 6 spd manual is fun to drive and it does carry a sleek look that is not too common. However I am missing the rear wheel drive fun of my last vehicle (mercedes c230). Really satisfied about the 5 yr bumper- to-bumper, 5 yr maint plus wear and tear I got with this purchase.

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  Fun Car - 2009 Volvo C30
  By wm - July 19 - 6:36 pm

  Caveat this review with the fact Ive only owned the car for a week, and Im still on a buzz from buying it. The manual is incredibly fun to drive, and very smooth. I highly recommend the R-design; its well worth the money. Cosmic Wht w/ Brwn body kit looks phenoml, but hard to find at a dealer. It is not a utilitarian vehicle, as the rear bumper is too high and big, and other cars offer more interior space, but its a great little sports car. More hp/less weight/better mpg than a V6 Mustang. Comfort inside is top notch. Driver views are very good. I did a 1300+ mile trip right after purchase and it holds 80mph easily at 2700rpm. It accelerates the same at 40mph as it does at 70. Fun.

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  2009 C30 great car - 2009 Volvo C30
  By scott fortune - June 21 - 4:26 pm

  My 2009 c30 is a very cool car and I have had it for almost one year. I get about 23 mph and have taken it from Jacksonville, Florida to ft. Lauderdale 2 times, for fun. The trip goes quickly and is very pleasant. My wife and I also own a 2008 Porsche Cayman s. We both often prefer the c30 because it is so much easier to drive... Easy and fun with room for groceries. I had 2 Volvo xc90s, dating back to 2004 or 2003. The c30 is much cooler and more fun. The dynaudio is an excellent option. I have automatic, leather, sunroof, Cruise, bluetooth, ipod compatible. I recommend it and would buy another one.

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  Still brings a smile to my face - 2009 Volvo C30
  By kevin - April 16 - 10:36 am

  After researching all small hatchbacks in the US market and test driving the Subaru Impreza WRX and the Mazda 3, I test drove the C30 and knew it was the one. (I also wanted to test the Audi A3 but the dealer did not have any in stock.) I use this car daily (23,000 miles in year one) both in heavy traffic and on the open road. It is very responsive and comfortable in all driving conditions. I chose the Geartronic transmission (auto+manual) due to heavy traffic and enjoy driving in both modes. This car has been great, and it gets lots of positive attention. Check out Volvos website - you can fully custom order your C30. Im so glad to have done so - havent seen a twin yet in 22000 mi!

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  One rockin hatch - 2009 Volvo C30
  By Colin - September 30 - 9:50 pm

  Great all-around car, exceptionally well-executed and excels at what it was designed to do -- turn heads! Love the power even with the auto trans, especially the down-low torque, and all the electronic goodies (Dynamic audio, sat radio, iPod). And oh, those Volvo seats! Incredibly comfortable on my 1-hr commute. My wife and I both get lots of compliments on the cars appearance, especially the all-glass hatch. I hate driving cars that everyone else has, and to date Ive only seen two other C30s on the road. Huge cache factor. Respectable gas mileage (23 mpg avg on a mix of city/hwy driving). And no need for premium! Get the R-design package, it really makes the cars appearance pop.

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  my first Volvo - 2009 Volvo C30
  By Marq - June 15 - 5:53 pm

  I now have 860 miles on my new C30, and I am beginning to enjoy it and feel I made the right choice. Yes, there were cheaper cars I was considering, such as a VW Rabbit, but I am now beginning to appreciate the upscale craftsmanship that makes my Volvo a really fine car. I am also beginning to appreciate that as a Volvo owner, I am now part of a demographic of more conservative and mature drivers.

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  Just Right - 2009 Volvo C30
  By Terri - May 12 - 12:50 pm

  I literally test drove 12 vehicles and kept coming back to the C30. I love the size after driving a station wagon for so many years. Its easy to fit in spaces and maneuver city streets. Cant understand why they arent more popular because there are so many great features. I was looking for a car with good pick up and boy does this have it. I love my new little car.

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  after a year some issues - 2009 Volvo C30
  By jasper - November 12 - 12:56 am

  Just over a year with low mileage, ~12000. R-Design has great styling. The dash is a bit bland and more color could be added in the dash console lighting. Gas mileage is not quite what I expected, (6 speed manual) ranges from 31 to 21 (depends on time of year and how I drive). The front end on the RDesign is also poorly engineered. There is nothing you can do to prevent scraping when going up small upgrades (my driveway for example). This causes the rubber on the underside to hang down, quite an eyesore.

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  poor gas mileiage - 2009 Volvo C30
  By joel k - July 15 - 2:33 pm

  This is aquality car that fun to drive.