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Volvo C70 - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Volvo C70 ranks 11 out of 17 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 47 published reviews and test drives of the Volvo C70, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Volvo C70 is an attractive hardtop convertible with outstanding safety scores. Its driving dynamics don't match the excitement of a BMW 3-Series hardtop, but that's mostly a matter of engine power -- reviewers say the C70's handling is still fun. It also features an elegant cabin, and an available stereo system that consistently impresses test drivers.

New Car Test Drive sums it up: "We found the C70 to be an excellent highway cruiser, smooth and steady at high speeds, quiet with the steel top up. Its stereo sounds superb. The C70 feels like a sports car. It has a solid feel and strikes an appropriate balance of responsive handling with a smooth, well-controlled ride quality and fade-resistant brakes."

Despite the car's appeal, C70 sales trailed off in 2008. Its purchase price may be part of the reason -- Volvo's hardtop is one of the most expensive cars in its class.  It's no longer alone as a hardtop convertible -- the BMW 3-Series is now also offered with a retractable hardtop, in many cases, for a lower price, with sharper performance numbers. 

More competitors will emerge this year. An Infiniti G37 Convertible due out in the second half of 2009 will probably also be worth a test drive for those considering a C70.  The sedan that car is based on is one of the best performance cars in this class, and offers similar safety scores to what Volvo can claim.  Finally, a Lexus IS convertible is due in 2009.  With that brand's strong reputation for interior comfort and luxury, the IS convertible may provide an alternative for C70 shoppers most interested in a sumptuous ride.

Consumers have also lost interest in convertibles as gas prices rise and the economy slows. For shoppers who are interested in the car, however, that could be good news -- it's worth trying to negotiate that high price, since dealers are anxious to move the cars.

For 2009, Volvo has answered one old reviewer complaint about the car. That steel hardtop is functional and strong, but it used to take a long time to retract and require several steps. A new retracting mechanism can be operated with a single button, and lowers faster. Bluetooth connectivity is now standard, as is aluminum trim (though wood is still an option). The C70 is sold in just one trim level, with a series of upgrade packages available.

• "With its gee-whiz retractable hardtop, the Volvo C70 is a strong pick for those seeking a premium convertible with a healthy list of safety features and a stylish interior. However, if performance is your mandate, there are better choices." -- Edmunds
• "It's a step below most like-priced convertibles for all-around performance, but the C70 is a pleasant, stylish, well-built blend of top-down fun and fixed-roof security. A comfortable ride and decent trunk space add to its appeal." -- Consumer Guide
• "I'm ready to decree that the Volvo C70 is the best four-season convertible you can buy." - Cars.com
• "Retractable hardtops are usually found in high-end cars, and while the C70's...base price isn't cheap, it is lower than other retractables such as the Lexus SC 430 and Mercedes-Benz SL."  -- Kansas City Star
• "Auto enthusiasts have for the most part ignored Volvo over the years, opting for more flashy European luxury brands such as BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz.  With the C70, though, Volvo has something to offer car buffs looking for some excitement in their vehicle's styling and performance."  -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
• "This solid-topped, shudder-free convertible has put the bad cowls out to pasture. It prances down the roadway like a thoroughbred." -- Boston Globe
• "Volvo is a confident player in the upscale market, and it shows [in] the C70's style, execution of the design, and in the vehicle's performance characteristics." -- The Auto Channel
• "The new, stylish C70 convertible is yet another step in Volvo's rebirth as a racier, more vibrant brand. ...  The C70 injects Volvo with verve after several decades of staidness." -- Forbes

C70 Performance - 7.5 (Good)

The 2009 Volvo C70 is surprisingly stable at highway speeds, even with the top down. It handles well, but reviewers say its turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine is nothing special. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram says the engine's 218 horsepower is "not exactly enthusiast-type power, but in the C70, it works fairly well." . continue

C70 Exterior - 7.8 (Good)

C70 was the first hardtop convertible in this class, but in 2009 it has a lot of competition.  BMW, Audi and Mercedes have all brought out hardtops, in part because of the praise the press has heaped on Volvo's car. Car and Driver speaks for many when it says the C70 "has a balance of line that many four-seaters with this kind of roof system fail to achieve."  continue

C70 Interior - 7.4 (Good)

The passenger cabin of the 2009 C70 has an upscale look and feel, with comfortable seating and Volvo's signature ribbon-thin electronics console. Reviewers like the materials quality and, more than anything else, the space. In a competition that pitted the C70 against a BMW 328i hardtop, a Saab 9-3 convertible, an Audi A4 Cabriolet and a Volkswagen Eos hardtop, Car and Driver reports that "it was the only car of these four-seaters that could actually accommodate four persons in comfort." continue

C70 Safety - 10.0 (Excellent)

The 2009 Volvo C70 has not been tested by the federal government or the insurance industry, but the car was named a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety after achieving the highest possible score in every one of the Institute's crash tests.  continue

C70 Reliability - 8.0 (Very Good)

The 2009 Volvo C70 reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Volvo provides comprehensive warranty coverage for four years or 50,000 miles on the C70.    continue