Malibu, CX-9 win North American honors

Car Nominee: Volvo C30

Volvo, that renown builder of sexy hatches and other slick designs, has a hit on its hands with the C30 (think P1800). Sure, niggling things get in the way of full appreciation: the interior on the base model is very, uh, base and quite unimpressive. In addition, the cargo area seems larger than it really is, thanks to the way the pillars jut into the cargo hold. Overall, however, the C30 is what you expect from Volvo: stylish and safe, youthful and friendly.

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