The new 2010 Volvo C30 is good looking premium compact car, fun to drive, and offers the easily accessible cargo utility of a hatchback. This 2-door hatchback is this Swedish automaker’s smallest car, and it shares elements of its basic design with the company’s S40 sedan and V50 wagon. The 2010 Volvo C30 is no sports car, but its performance is satisfying for most without having any ragged edges. The fact that the C30 has enhanced its visual volume and self-confidence is entirely in line with Volvo Cars’ design strategy.

The new exterior is also a better match for the way the C30 drives – challenging, direct and with a whole lot of attitude. The C30 front has undergone a complete rework with new body panels giving the car a more distinctive appearance to its predecessor. This new look will also more clearly define the C30 from its S40 and V50 cousins for the first time.

Inside, the C30 offers a pleasant, fairly roomy cabin for four.The standard cloth upholstery is a unique fabric that resembles wetsuit material.Room up front is plentiful, and the controls are easy to spot and use.The two-door body style makes getting into the backseat a bit of a hassle, but the rear seat is comfortable for two passengers, provided they’re not NBA players.Those rear seats fold down to create a large rear hatch area with lots of carrying capacity.

The C30 utilizes Volvo’s proven 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, here turbocharged and producing a healthy 227 horsepower, along with a more important 236 pound-feet of torque beginning at just 1,800 rpm. The turbo engine actually does very well with the automatic; the standard six-speed manual is also pleasant but a bit notchy. Because the C30 sends a lot of power to the front wheels, it can be a bit challenged for traction when accelerating hard on bumpy surfaces at low speed, but overall the C30 handles in a solid and secure way.

Source: LeftLaneNews