Known for its classy, yet somewhat staid sedans and wagons through the years, Volvo broke the mold a bit with this sporty and spiffy four-person hatchback a few years ago, and the 2011 Volvo C30 continues the rather risqué tradition.

The C30 gives up nothing to its cousins in the way of comfort and ride and safety, but ups the ante when it comes to the fun factor. Volvo went looking to appeal to styling city-types with the C30 and appears to have found a niche. Drivers like how it nimbly gets around in town - all while attracting its fair share of attention - and then can cruise on the highway.

A 2.5-liter, turbocharged five-cylinder engine gives the front-wheel-drive Volvo C30 its get up and go. The engine puts out 227 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque and comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission. Those looking for an even more sporty experience behind the wheel may opt for the available five-speed manual transmission. Fuel mileage is rated at 21 mpg city, 30 highway, and 24 combined for the automatic. One reviewer reports getting the C30 from 0 to 60 in 6.4 seconds, another in 7.1 seconds.

Both trims of the 2011 Volvo C30, the T5 and T5 R-Design, feature bucket seats in front and back. The front seats get the usual Volvo stamp of approval for shape and comfort, and some reviewers can’t say enough about them. That’s not the case with the rear seats. They provide little leg-, head-, and foot room, and on top of that, entering and exiting the back is a chore. Cargo space draws similar comments: There’s just not much of it.

As much as some reviewers like the styling of the all-glass hatch, a flashback to the Volvo 1800ES of the early 1970s, they don’t find it practical, since it leaves any contents back there in plain sight.

The 2011 Volvo C30 T5 rides on 17-inch wheels, and the T5 R-Design on 18-inchers. Standard features on both trims include daytime running lights, manually adjusted front seats, a tire pressure monitoring system, trip computer, Bluetooth hands-free capability, and a single-CD player with MP3 capability. Volvo loads what it calls its high-performance audio system with eight speakers standard on both trims and also offers a Dolby premium system with 10 speakers. Upgrades for the R-Design include front foglights, leather upholstery, and a roof spoiler.

Powered front seats and electronic climate control are available in a preferred package for either trim, and heated front seats and a sunroof are part of a climate package.

Volvo tweaked the exterior, particularly the front end, of the C30 for 2011 and took on a spiced-up look more like that of its XC60 crossover than the S40’s rather, well, staid, look. More power to the sporty.