What to you is sexy? For me, Volvo C30 writes the meaning of the word sexy all over its body. Call it sporty. Call it vivacious. But I call it sexy.

Swedes have the reputation of ingenuity and hard work which are evidenced by a smorgasbord of milestones including the invention of the propeller, Nicklas Lidstrom, dynamite, and more. Nowadays, the latest is the C30 from Volvo Cars.

The C30 is a slice of the future of compacts – compact, high-performance, and elegant. The drawback though, is that it’s pretty much pricey. Scott Burgess of the Detroit News has this to say: “The C30 Version 1.0 starts at a reasonable $23,445, including destination charges, but the price jumps nearly as fast as my grocery bill when I add a couple bottles of Akvavit and Absolut. My Version 2.0 model, which I tested for a week in January, had a starting MSRP of $26,445 and window sticker over $30,000 for the four-person compact.”

Do you think the price is too much? Not I guess if you experience the car. Add in the reputation, finesse, and impunity ride. The C30 offers a lot of lures and Volvo sells it to you.

Fast and nimble, the C30 gives any owner more fun for what he paid for. “While testing the C30, I often found myself wanting to take corners a little faster each day. The five-cylinder 2.5-liter turbo-charged engine offers slightly more torque than horsepower, adding to its spirited ride. Producing 227 horses and 236 pound-feet of torque (both at 5,000 rpm), the engine provides push-you-back-in-your-seat pickup,” added Burgess.

One downside that aficionados would consider is the premium fuel which it requires. The car gets 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Yes, the car is faster than it looks. You think it’s demure. But it’s hot on the roads.