2011 Volvo C30 consumer reviews

6sp manual polestar is the most amazing car ive ever driven. Little hot hatch has tons of power and torque. Its insane how well it drives. Inside if very comfortable and accommodating. Love my C30~

I upgraded from a 2006 Volvo S40, and couldn't be happier with this sporty 2-door hatchback. It's smaller, but still solid and built like a tiny tank. I have only done city driving in it so far as I've only owned it a month, but I can't wait to get it out on some twisty country roads. I have received a number of compliments on it so far after only having it a month. For a car that weighs 3200, you would never know it. It's quick an nimble and brakes very strongly. The turbo 5c engine will put you back in your seat when it kicks in. The only thing I would ask for is the 6 speed manual. I drove one, but ended up getting a 5 speed automatic instead. the 6 speed is a blast to drive. It's a Volvo, so maintenance is more expensive than some other comparable cars in it's category, but if you do the maintenance and take care of it, it should run forever. My 2006 S40 had 200,000 miles on it when I traded it in on the C30.

I cannot describe what a pleasure this car is to own! I bought mine used with 33k. Only issue I have had is a bad CV joint which was covered under warranty. Great dealer service! Wonderful performance, and it is a real looker with the R-Design package. Comfortable and stylish seats great for long trips. I never get tired of driving this car. I also have an old Volvo wagon approaching 200k. I performed only routine maintenance with the exception of a heater core and radiator! I have no doubts this car will live up to the same standards! R suspension may be a bit harsh for those used to a softer ride.

Starting with SAAB I only drive FWD and the Volvo is an outstanding FWD vehicle, well made, good power, goes wher you steer it! Volvo; Latin translation: "I Roll"

bought car 3 weeks ago, "r" edition, 2011 model 21k miles. fast, fun, economical, sporty & classy. plus all the features of a small volvo.

As an auto enthousiast the Volvo is an intriguing and infuriating machine. Volvo would have you believe they are a luxury brand, but that is a pipe dream for them. With this, the Volvo "entry-level" vehicle, you will find that commonly accepted options are lacking in many of the cars. Pay attention to the left side of the steering wheel, make sure that the cruise control functions are there. I still can't believe that volvo would allow some C30's to go out without it, the worst part is that all these cars are electronically controlled (fly-by-wire), it is just one module, a dealer-only computer download, and your VISA card away. I had to add the "Trip Computer" functionality at the dealer for about $100 so that I could evaluate the fuel mileage, great upgrade, but why would I have to do this on a 2008 vehicle? Gripes aside, I bought the car because I was going to be doing a lot of driving between Norfolk and Groton, CT. After I made my choice, I found the C30 in the top spot of a top 10 road trip car list. There can be no doubt that this is the right place for it, and it makes sense because the C30 is effectively a Ford Focus that was put together with the right engine and wheels and creature comforts. The long haul mileage of 28 MPG is good; this car should be in the 30's but for the improved noise isolation and interior materials. Not a bad tradeoff, if I'm honest. As an enthousiast I find parts harder to find than my old Golf TDi. Additionally, this vehicle is not as well documented with How-to's and shade-tree knowledge because of its' rarity. On the other hand I find it extremely easy to work on and wouldn't hesitate to replace brakes, suspension components, alternator, filters, etc.

I love this Volvo. It is fast, comfortable, cute, sporty, and there are very few around because they are so hard to get. I love Volvo's maintance free program and believe that along is worth buying the car for. The seats are very comfortable and I like the memory seats. I love the "high perfomance sound system." The only reason I gave the interior design 4 stars instead of 5 is because I have the aluminium trim package and the shifter gets very hot if the car sits out in the sun, making it a little hard to shift until it cools down. I love the way the sunroof has a built in wind deflector and it works. If you can find a Volvo C30 I recommend that you buy it.

I love this car. I'm an empty-nester who did not want a predictable Honda or Toyota. I do not need to ferry kids around anymore. It's small, nimble, easy to park and I love the pick-up and the styling. This car just makes me smile!

I love this car. And my boyfriend is wild about it! He loves driving it. He is like a kid in a candy store when he gets to drive it.

Since my car got totaled in a hail storm I have been test driving a number of them. Notably Scion TC, Volvo C30, VW GTI, Audi A3, Subaru WRX, MazdaSpeed3 and Mini Cooper S (I might have missed one or two, oh yes, the Miata, but certainly cross-shopped more on paper). BMW 128 and 135 were considered but not found to be good value or reliable. I narrowed it down to two ... Overall, my perception is 1) that both cars are equally quick (C30R 5AT); 2)their handling is not terribly different (the C30R IS more planted; the GTI MIGHT be more nimble); 3) the GTI can be more fun due to its dollop of wallop at higher RPMs meaning you have to row the gears, while the C30R has a continuous and more powerful band; 4) the C30R is far more luxurious and inviting for commuting; 5) the GTI sucks in the city while the C30R does not; 6) the GTI's breaking is more positive but choppy compared to the C30R - same stopping distance from what I read; 7) they both look great while the C30R also looks like a work of art inside and out; 8) the C30R has a lower cost of ownership and is far more reliable; and 9) the Volvo will still be on the road long after the GTI has gone to automobile heaven. So updating on this post ... I now have 10K miles on the C30R and am very happy with the purchase. The 6MT is much better than the 5AT.