Volvo C30 a beauty front and back

It isn't often that we get a jump on our neighbours to the south, who usually get a wider selection of models, drivelines and options missing on our vehicles up here.

But Volvo reached out to us first with the small C30 hatchback, landing it in Canada last April, while Americans had to wait until this month. And they only get the 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, whereas Canadians can also buy in for a lower price with a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre version.

The U.S. marketing strategy is no doubt a means of easing in this compact coupe to buyers who are usually horrified by hatchbacks (unless that liftgate's located on a house-sized SUV), but it's nice to imagine it's because Simon Lamarre, who designed the C30's voluptuous styling in Sweden, is a Montreal native.

The C30 shares its platform with the S40 sedan and V50 station wagon, as well as Mazda3 and the Europe-specific version of the Ford Focus. Both engines are five-cylinder; my tester was the turbo T5, with six-speed manual.

You can option it to a five-speed automatic for $1,500, but it's doubtful you'll want to: the stick shift glides effortlessly into each gate and the clutch is liquid-smooth.

Turbo lag is virtually non-existent; it's quick off the line, and still has plenty to give when you need to get around traffic at highway speeds.

Hard-core enthusiasts would probably appreciate an all-wheel-drive option, to counter the C30's heavy nose in very spirited driving – it's sold as a front-driver only – but the majority of drivers should be happy with its razor-sharp handling, and light but confident steering feel.

Naturally, given the brand, safety systems are spread throughout, including anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, side and curtain airbags, seatbelt pretensioners and anti-whiplash protection.

The C30 is simply stunning from every angle, but the best view is the rear three-quarter, with an easy-closing glass hatch that evokes the iconic P1800 models.

Be sure to check off the box for the optional tonneau cover, though; without it, your valuables are sitting in a transparent display case for all to see, and the sun will cook your groceries well before you get them home. With the rear seats up, cargo space is 73 cm long; fold them, and it expands to an almost-flat 1.4 metres.

For better and worse, the C30 shares the S40's interior, which means supportive seats, quality materials, flawless fit-and-finish, and the gorgeous but utterly useless "floating" centre stack.

Its sole storage cubby is tucked behind it and difficult to access, and the tiny climate and stereo buttons, non-intuitive and set into a cluster that resembles a television remote, pull far too much attention from the road to operate.

(In the "way-cool" department, though, a screen on the centre stack displays an image of an old-fashioned radio dial when you're changing stations, and the optional six-CD Dolby Pro Logic surround-sound system is simply awesome.)

With my small hands, I had no trouble with the shifter, but the meathook-equipped Designated Passenger complained that the stick sits too close to the stack, and he kept switching the a/c controls with his knuckles when moving up into third.

Big-shoed drivers may also find the footwell very narrow.

My tester's options included a $3,400 Sport Package, which adds such goodies as heated memory seats, Xenon headlamps with washers and sport-tuned suspension.

It's a little thing, but kudos to the designer of the memory function, which requires you to hold the button throughout the seat's travel. If you've ever hit a one-touch button and been helplessly squished against the wheel or pulled back from the pedals, especially when the car's moving, you'll agree that it should be universal.

The C30 is strictly a four-seater, and even with a button atop the front seats to move them fore and aft, it's a tight fit to access the rear chairs. They're comfortable once you squeeze back there, though, and legroom is fairly good unless the front seats are pushed all the way back. The rear seats have rectangular bins that will hold three cans, but no cupholders.

It's pricey for its size, but the C30 should enjoy a market with couples who'll probably end up keeping the back seats folded most of the time, and will want this Volvo as much for its styling as for its features.

Then you can nod to Lamarre, look south and say, "So what took you guys so long?"