Battaglia says the C30 is designed to bring younger buyers to the Volvo brand. Lots of automakers talk about developing a young buyer base, but only a few actually seem to come up with a product this group will actually like and — just as important — be able to buy without a great deal of financial pain.

Despite some of the downfalls with the functionality of the hatch, the C30's distinctive appearance should appeal to young buyers looking to stand out behind the wheel, and the pricing should prove equally attractive. My test car's as-tested price was slightly less than $24,000, and it came with everything I'd want except cruise control, which adds about $500 including the Custom Build charge. A hatchback isn't everyone's thing, but if it's yours, this new Volvo has a lot going for it.