2008 Volvo C30

The C30 was reasonably economical, too, although at 25 mpg overall it wasn't wildly so. The right size for the city, it was also right at home on the freeway.

The C30's character seems to suggest that it might do better with a lighter, smaller displacement engine running a high-pressure turbo.

Fortunately, we don't need a stopwatch to know that few new cars have as much character as the C30.

Taking its parts in sum, the C30 adds up to our favorite Volvo in decades, one of the holy grails implied by Automobile Magazine's founding maxim: "No boring cars." This is an interesting car, and not even the notably underwhelming efforts of those charged with marketing this fine machine can take that away from it.

The C30 is the smallest Volvo ever sold in the United States, a land where upmarket-brand small cars are few.

Unlike the S40, the C30's front fenders swell slightly at the wheels, and the rear shoulder is deeper than on any other Volvo. The C30's taillights trace that shoulder shape, framing a very cool glass hatchback that dips down low for good visibility.

Still, the C30 is fast and composed, and, at some 300 pounds lighter than its sedan sibling, it's notably sportier. It's a tasty new addition to America's slowly growing menu of bite-size cars.

Although this two-door hatchback comes in at the bottom of Volvo's lineup, Volvo hopes it can bring new people into its dealerships and give the company a sportier reputation.

That value pricing doesn't make the C30 a typical economy car, though. Instead it's more similar to the Audi A3 and Volkswagen GTI class of sporty hatchbacks, a fun-to-drive car aimed at younger buyers.

The C30 is Volvo's best handling car.

Inside, the C30 offers a pleasant, fairly roomy cabin for four.

As Volvo's lowest priced car, the C30 is a bit raw. The five-cylinder engine is powerful, but makes coarse sounds. The cabin isn't as well insulated from exterior sounds as other Volvos. Road noise is especially noticeable on rough pavement, a problem exacerbated by the open hatchback body style.

Volvo designed the C30 with two doors and the design is striking, particularly from the side. The roofline starts out high and slopes gradually down, pinching the rear windows. Those windows are drawn in, leaving room for another Volvo characteristic, pronounced shoulders. Sporty characteristics include short front and rear overhangs, an integrated body kit, and big wheels on wide tires. The ground-effects-type body kit outlines the bottom of the car from front to rear and includes wheel flares at all four corners.

The C30 is comfortable, but not as comfortable as other Volvos, which are among the most cosseting cars available.

Though the C30's two-door body style doesn't encourage family use, the rear is fairly easy to access and offers decent room.

The C30's hatchback body style gives it a fair bit of utility.

The C30 isn't your typical Volvo. It's the smallest Volvo and the most athletic. Volvo has succeeded in its mission to build a fun-to-drive, sporty car.

If you're looking for a quality compact that makes a personal statement, the Volvo C30 is worth a look.