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

For a sports car it is no surprise this car can reach a hasty top speed of 146mph. It is also quite fast in terms of acceleration taking just 8.0 seconds to travel from 0mph to 62mph. The car’s power output is quite average for sports car at 227bhp, and the torque is also standard at 236 lb-ft.

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 Volvo C70 is a stylish convertible with smooth lines and a superb 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 is finished in beautiful metallic paint.

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

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 T5 SE Lux Solstice Geartronic 2dr can be bought for a costly £38,555. Whilst this stylish convertible does come with an excellent level of equipment, it also incurs high running costs.

The car is not fuel efficient as it performs on average at 30.1mpg in terms of fuel efficiency. Green credentials are no better with high CO2 emissions of 219g/km meaning high road tax. Overall, the model does not represent particularly good value for money, with many rivals cheaper both to purchase and to run.