Volvo C70 D3 SE Lux Geartronic 2dr Car Review - March 2012

On the whole, the driving experience delivered by the Volvo C70 isn't too bad, with good road grip and decent handling. It also makes an accomplished motorway cruiser, with a ride which is refined pretty well at all speeds. The steering does lack feel however, and there is a certain amount of body roll to be experienced when taking corners too quickly.

The C70 is best driven on smooth roads, as larger bumps and road imperfections will send a jolt through the cabin. The driving position is excellent though, with great adjustment in both the seat and steering wheel.

The model has a top speed of 127mph and takes a relatively sluggish 10.9 seconds to travel from 0mph to 62mph. The car’s power output is 148bhp and its torque is good at 258 lb-ft.

The Volvo C70 is a stylish convertible with smooth lines and a great range of equipment provided as standard. The interior is finished in high quality materials giving the model a premium feel to it, while the controls are laid out neatly and efficiently. The dashboard is also very well arranged. Standard leather seating further enhances the comfort of the cabin.

The external appearance of the car is enriched with alloy wheels, and can be further enhanced with metallic paint for £590.

Standard equipment provided with the model includes cruise control, climate control, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth, CD player with MP3 connectivity, electric door mirrors and electric front windows.

Satellite navigation costs £525.

The C70 has two doors and seats four occupants. As such it is not the most practical of vehicles. Front passengers will enjoy plenty of space all round, and although the rear seats are certainly large enough for adults, they may feel a little claustrophobic with the roof up. The boot is, as would be expected, fairly small offering just 200 litres of space with the rear seats up and 404 litres with them folded down.

The car's warranty is standard; Volvo offer three years and up to 60,000 miles of cover. In terms of security, the car is fitted with central locking and an alarm for maximum security against theft.

The safety has been well established as there is a driver airbag, passenger airbag as well as airbags in the front side area of the vehicle to maximise protection for all passengers.

The Volvo C70 D3 SE Lux Geartronic 2dr can be bought brand new for £35,070. The model comes with a good level of equipment, and is fairly practical for its class, but this is still a little pricey.

The C70's fuel economy averages a respectable 44.1mpg, with CO2 emissions of 169g/km. These figures are decent compared with some rivals, but value for money represented by the model is still not brilliant.