2012 Volvo C70: The Brand's Sporty Hardtop Convertible

Highlight: The C70 offers a special edition Polestar Performance Package, which increases the horsepower by boosting the turbocharge pressure.

Base Model MSRP: $40,450 plus destination charges

Seating Capacity: 4

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a tire pressure monitoring system; stability control system; daytime running lights; Dynamic Stability; traction control system; and a tire pressure monitoring system; a rollover protection system; and the brand’s signature whiplash protection seating system

Standard Audio: a 160-watt, 8-speaker AM/FM/CD/HD Radio/Satellite Radio 

MP3: Yes

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty:  5 years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty:  5 years or 50,000 miles

Bluetooth Compatibility: Yes

Standard Engine/Horsepower: 2.5-liter, 5-cylinder/227-hp

Recommended Fuel: Regular

Standard Fuel Mileage: 19-city/28-hwy

Standard Features: 17-inch tires; power heated front seats; three-position memory (front) leather seats; a tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a dual zone air condition; auto dimming rearview mirror; and a power retractable hardtop convertible

Trim Levels:

T5
Premium Plus
T5 Platinum

What’s New: After receiving styling updates last year, the Volvo C70 is basically a carryover for the 2012 model year, with the exception of a few content changes.

Seat Comfort/Support: Extremely supportive, especially with Volvo’s orthopedic seats

Pros: Our easy-to-use power operated hardtop convertible serves as a coupe or a convertible, depending upon the weather condition. Our sporty looking C70 was outfitted with Volvo’s special Polestar Package, which includes a peppier 250-horsepower engine, 18-inch wheels, a leather covered-dash with stitching, dual Xenon headlights, embroidered front seats and a sport steering wheel with aluminum inserts.

In addition to the Polestar Package, the well-equipped luxurious C70 is also available with such options as daytime running lights, a 550-watt, 14-speaker audio system, an electronic lane-changing blindspot system, and aluminum sport pedals.

And like most Volvos, the orthopedic seats available in the C70 are one of the best in the world. Foremost, we love the space age design of the center stack, which houses the radio and the ventilation system.

Cons: Our test vehicle lacked a standard navigation system. This is unfathomable for a $40,000 plus luxury vehicle. We think this feature should be standard. Also the vehicle lacked a push-button, keyless starter, too.

Moreover, the five-cylinder seems quite sluggish and underpowered for this hardtop convertible. A six-cylinder engine, which offers more horsepower, seems more fitting for this big body vehicle. Thank God for the additional horsepower that was offered with the Polestar Package.

Furthermore, while the C70 offered a sporty design, it wasn’t as agile or athletic as what we

expected.  

 

The Verdict: This is one of the sportiest hardtop convertibles available today. While Volvo has been known for building safe vehicles with stodgy designs, the stylish C70 seems to be an exception, especially with the optional Polestar Package. While the vehicle competes in the same class with the entry-level Lexus hardtop convertible and Infiniti’s hardtop convertible, in a competition, we would rank it as number three. The C70 does not offer the same performance-oriented feel as the Infiniti are the smooth, crispness of the Lexus, seeing that it feels a little heavier than both of its competitors. However, it does provide the luxury-oriented ride we have come to expect from Volvo, which is also complimented by a number of safety features too.

Competition: Lexus IS Convertible and Infiniti G37 Convertible