Volvo C70 D4 SE 2dr Car Review - March 2012

The cabin interior of the C70 is sophisticated and yet discreet. There is an unmistakeable Swedish feel to it and includes Volvo’s floating centre console. A wide range of finishes is available including a modern wood trim. Everything you touch is top quality and feels sturdy and durable.

The driving position is good and can be easily adjusted to suit anyone. The seats are superb; comfortable and supportive and great on long journeys. Visibility is good all round.

The 2.0-litre diesel power unit fitted in this version is one of the best in the range. Producing a healthy 175bhp and 295lb-ft of torque low down in the rev range, it can move the weighty C70 from 0-62mph in a decent 9.8 seconds and still return an average fuel economy of 47.9mpg. Top speed is 137mph and the mating with the six-speed manual gearbox is a good combination with sharp positive gear-changing.

The handling of the C70 is better than on older versions, but it still doesn’t provide the same experience as you’d get in the rival BMW or even the Ford Focus CC. The weight of the Volvo makes it less agile even though grip is plentiful. However, it does cruise beautifully, cosseting you in comfort all the time, so for those looking for a more sedate ride – it certainly delivers in style.

The latest C70 has sleek sporty lines and incorporates the now standard Volvo front grille and the interior is typical of the minimalist Swedish design approach of Volvo.

The C70 SE comes well equipped with power steering, central locking, DSTC stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric windows, cruise control, rear parking sensor, partial leather seats, alarm, immobiliser, CD+MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth, electrically adjustable driver’s seat and rain-sensing wipers.

Also available from Volvo as cost extras are metallic paint £590 and satellite navigation £525.

The C70 accommodates four adult passengers without any problems, either with the roof in place or stowed away. With the roof up the C70 has the feel of a coupé and the rear headroom becomes a little restricted.

Luggage space in the C70 is sufficient for a couple of cases (404-litres) but it does shrink dramatically when the roof is stowed (200-litres), which is basically the size of a boot in a typical small car.

As usual Volvo puts a lot of emphasis on safety, and the C70 comes with all the usual features including twin front and side airbags up front, rollover protection and electronic stability control.

Security is taken care of with remote central locking, deadlocks, locking wheel nuts, visible VIN, alarm and engine immobiliser as standard.

Volvo has an excellent reputation for quality and reliability and as a company rank in the top ten. The C70 is largely based on the Volvo S40 which has ranked as the seventh best car you can buy in terms of satisfaction – so you shouldn’t have any serious worries with the C70 as build quality seems to be excellent and materials used in the cabin interior are top notch.

The C70 is covered by Volvo’s three-year 60,000 mile warranty and regular service intervals are every 18,000 miles.

The C70 seems a little pricey at £32,845 next to some of its rivals which deliver a more exhilarating driving experience. However, the C70 does come well equipped, with bags of safety features and its performance and economy are decent. It also holds its value well, so if you’re looking for a convertible that will move you in comfort rather than a drop-top to blast along the back roads – the C70 makes good sense.

Running costs are on a par with others in this class. Insurance is in group 33 and its emissions of 154g/km put it in VED band G for Road Tax.

Look for discounts from dealers, or consider buying a well maintained used example. Whichever version you choose, the C70 has a good reputation and is sought after, especially the diesels, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble selling it on in the future.