Pleasant to drive
At low speeds, the electro-hydraulic, power-assisted, rack-and-pinion steering felt rather light. On the plus side, it's speed-sensitive, which means that steering response increases as the car accelerates. And thanks to the tilt/telescopic steering wheel, any driver will be able to find his or her ideal driving position.

The C30 2.4i is very predictable on the road. The comfort-oriented suspension (as opposed to the T5's sport-tuned suspension) cancels most bumps and potholes without being overly soft. That's what makes the C30 an excellent companion for long road trips.

The front buckets are quite comfortable.

The brakes are strong but not quite progressive enough. While this front-wheel drive car suffers from understeer upon accelerating through corners, torque steer is negligible during takeoffs.

The C30 is 22.4-cm shorter than the S40 sedan despite using the same chassis. As a result, it proves to be even more nimble in the city, navigating through rush-hour traffic with disconcerting ease. Parking this car is also child's play, no matter how tight the spot is.

2+2
True, this Volvo is a four-seater; however, the rear seats are not suited for adults, making this car a "2+2" -- as was the old Volvo 1800 ES which the C30 borrows many design cues from. In fact, if you take a look at the spec sheet, you'll see "foldable 45/45 split rear seats" instead of the classic 50/50.

Anyway, access to the rear seats is so complicated that you need to be a gymnast or contortionist to get there without complaining. A small lever allows you to slide the front seats forward without too much effort, but putting them back in their original position requires a lot more patience... so much so that you quickly stop inviting your friends to step in the back of the car.

That being said, the front buckets are quite comfortable, wrapping your entire body and holding it in check. I would have made the cushions a bit longer, though, especially given how useless the rear seats are anyway. Tall drivers (over 6') would feel more relaxed as a result.

Access to the rear seats is so complicated that you need to be a gymnast or contortionist to get there without complaining.