2007 Mini Cooper S vs. 2008 Volvo C30 Comparison Test Video

By Edmunds Video Productions | Published September 25, 2009

3:49 min

2007 Mini Cooper S vs. 2008 Volvo C30 Script The Mini Cooper was America's first true premium hatchback. And now Volvo has come out with another -- the 2008 Volvo C30. The choice is, which takes the title of best premium hatchback But after all the track testing and road comparisons, the 2008 Volvo C30 and Mini Cooper S have finished a virtual dead heat according to our scoring. It will take more than numbers to decide a winner in this comparison.. Neither the Mini nor the Volvo has an advantage in the features department. Both cars have impressive options lists that can give them a BMW-style makeover in function as well as price, although these particular vehicles are more sensibly equipped. Judging by the engine specs, it looks like the Volvo C30 should toast the Cooper S in straight-line performance. With its 227-horsepower, turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder, the C30 has a sizable power advantage over the Mini's 172-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder. The Mini makes up for this lack in power with compact size and light weight. The Cooper S turns out a 6.9-second 0-60-mph time, just 3/10ths slower than the Volvo. In the quarter-mile, our Mini surpasses the C30's performance, with a 15.0-second pass at 93.9 mph versus the Volvo's 15.1-second effort at 94.3 mph. The Mini is slightly better in braking with a 115-foot stop from 60 mph, yet the Volvo is behind by only a fraction with a 117-foot stop. Through the slalom, the Mini comes through with a blistering 68.5-mph run, a fast speed for any car in any class. And then the Volvo threads through the same set of cones at an even more impressive impressive 69.1 mph. The C30 holds its own on the skid pad, too, with a 0.85g versus the Mini's 0.87g. Two good performances, but neither car came up with a clear advantage, so we left the drag strip for some real roads. After some time on the highway, the C30 takes a slight edge on our scoring sheet. Between the soft seats, the expansive field of view and the simplicity of its controls, the Volvo feels immediately familiar. You sit far more upright in the Cooper S. The view is good overall and the seats are supportive. But the Mini insists on being different when it should be simple. There's no key, just a fob that you insert into the dash before hitting the start button. The centrally located speedometer still annoys us and the radio controls are poorly placed. Still, once you take these cars out on more entertaining roads, the advantage swings toward the Mini. The immediacy of its steering, its lack of body roll and the predictable levels of cornering grip allow you to push hard into any corner with complete confidence. For daily chores, the Volvo is a far more agreeable hatchback. All that softness we felt driving in the mountains translates into pure relaxation around town. You can also fit four real people in the Volvo with cargo room to spare. Everything in the cabin looks and feels a step above the Mini, too. There's just not enough room to do much in the Mini if it involves anything more than the driver and a passenger. Though they may seem similar, it's clear the Mini and the Volvo are very different cars. The Mini Cooper S is still built for the true enthusiast. It forces you to give up some comfort and convenience for a better driving experience. Nothing new to that equation, but the C30 makes that compromise a little more obvious. The Volvo can deliver the right numbers if you push it hard enough. But day to day, you won�t have to. These cars are intended as daily drivers, and that�s where the C30 stands out. If it�s excitement you�re looking for, the Mini Cooper S has it. But if it�s a true premium hatchback you want, a car that captures a grand experience in a compact package, then the Volvo C30 wins our vote.