Volvo C70 T5 SE Lux Geartronic 2dr Car Review - March 2012

The C70 is a car that has light steering that responds quite well and offers a high level of grip, but there is very little feedback felt through the wheel, and there is also a fair bit of body lean when cornering at pace. The ride itself is comfortable enough, but the passengers will still feel many of the sharper bumps that will actually be felt throughout the cabin. The driving position is good and offers seats and a steering wheel that can be adjusted to suit the driver, while the visibility offered by the well sized rear window is good even when the roof is up.

The automatic gearbox does take a little bit of a toll on the performance, but this version of the C70 is still no slouch. Acceleration from 0-62mph is achieved in only 8.0 seconds, and the top speed of 146mph means that this does deal very well with long journeys, although it’s fair to say that you will hear plenty of wind noise even when the metal roof is in place.

The front end of the C70 is attractive and stylish, with a bulging bonnet that hints at the powerful engine with in, and the lights and grille work well in a style that is typically Volvo. With the metal roof in place the car looks like a tidy coupe, while the back end is a little bit square but generally looks very good too. Inside the level of trim is very good with a centre console that is easy to use when driving, and a dashboard that is logical and easy to read.

The level of kit included with this version of the C70 is also impressive, with features such as leather seats and the alloy wheels both welcome in a car with this price. Power folding mirrors and Bluetooth connectivity are nice touches, and cruise control means that this is a comfortable motorway cruiser, while climate control is useful while the roof is up.

The C70 isn’t the largest or most practical coupe convertible on the market, but it competes with rivals, and can accommodate four adults quite well. With the roof up, legroom and headroom is a little limited in the back, but those in the front will benefit from a high level of wind deflection meaning there isn’t too much wind disruption. The boot isn’t huge, but is still quite good for a car in this class.

The C70 is also a very safe car, with plenty of airbags to look after the occupants of the car, and also boasts plenty of driving aids that help to keep the car stable and under control. Volvo do have a good reliability record, and the C70 is quite good too.

With a list price of £37,055, there is no doubt that people buying this version of the C70 will be impressed by the equipment, as it is significantly more expensive than some of the less well equipped versions of the car.

Fuel efficiency isn’t a highlight in this version of the C70, with the petrol engine only able to deliver an average 30.1mpg. The insurance costs will be quite high with the powerful engine, and the depreciation on the car is quite significant too. The warranty provided with the C70 is for three years or sixty thousand miles, and also comes with one year’s roadside breakdown assistance.