Best Reviewed
Convertibles
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- Best premium roadster 2011 Porsche Boxster *Est. $47600
- Bargain four-seat convertible 2011 Ford Mustang Convertible *Est. $27145
- Best roadster value 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata *Est. $23110
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Folding hard top and comfortable ride make for a versatile, if not sporty, convertible
- Fresh and modern exterior
- Supportive front seats
- Attractive, modern interior
- Good crash-test results
- Standard folding hard top
- Handling not as agile as competition
- Ho-hum performance
- Options can significantly raise price
- Noticeable chassis flex
Free Price Quote for 2011 Volvo C70As a four-seat convertible with a standard folding hard top, the 2011 Volvo C70 (Base MSRP: $39,950) is a reasonably priced and versatile alternative to other luxury convertibles. The 2011 model year brings some substantial changes, most notably the exterior design, which is now fresh and modern, but its underpinnings are essentially the same as earlier model years going back until its last major redesign in 2006.
Recently, the entry-level luxury convertible segment has become a competitive place with new contenders like the 2011 Infiniti G37 convertible (Base MSRP: $45,000 to $57,250), the 2011 Lexus IS C (Base MSRP: $38,490 to $43,940), and the 2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet (Base MSRP: $42,450 to $44,650). The Audi A5 Cabriolet and the Infiniti G37 convertible in particular are often preferred over the Volvo by experts because they offer more performance and enough luxury for similar amounts of money.
While fundamentally unchanged mechanically from previous years, the 2011 C70's exterior is infused with Volvo's new design language, and the new look elicits favorable reactions from the experts. Edmunds.com editors love the transition from "dull to dashing" and a Speed TV review calls the new duds "sleek and distinctive." Only minor changes take place in the modernly attractive and functional interior that Mark Elias at LeftLaneNews.com calls "handsomeÉif not over the top." Reviewers generally like the "strikingly contemporary-looking center console," as Road & Track puts it.
Accommodations are slightly more generous than in other luxury convertibles in terms of passenger comfort and cargo capacity. Front passengers are treated to seats that reviewers praise for their comfort and support. Rear passengers have tight quarters, though more than a few testers note that the space is surprisingly usable for a four-seat convertible. An older Road & Track comparison test says it has "a seemingly roomier rear seating area than the BMW and the Mustang." SpeedTV concedes the "back seat is tight but usable." Cargo capacity with the top up is 12.8 cubic feet -- a respectable number -- though top-down capacity shrinks to less than half that volume. Competitors like the Infiniti G37 convertible and Lexus IS C have only 10 and 11 cubic feet of top-up cargo space, respectively.
The Volvo C70's standard power folding hard top is certainly a plus, as it allows for true four-season functionality while effectively sealing out road noise when in the up position. Leather upholstery is also standard, as is memory seating for the front passengers and dual-zone climate control. Entertainment is delivered via an in-dash CD player that features eight speakers and satellite radio, plus standard Bluetooth connectivity and an auxiliary input for an iPod or other portable media player.
Optional packages include various technological and trim upgrades that add features like heated front seats, more upscale trim and convenience items like rear parking assist and keyless ignition. The optional Multimedia Package adds a navigation system and a 910-watt, 14 speaker audio system that Sara Lacey from MotherProof.com describes as "crisp and perfectÉeven with the wind blowing." That optional package comes at an extra $2,600, while the other optional packages come to a total of $2,900. An included 5-year/60,000 mile basic warranty is longer than its main competitors, most of whom offer 4-year/50,000 mile coverage.
Most reviewers describe the C70 driving experience as more comfortable than sporty. Edmunds.com remarks that "its softly sprung suspension makes for agreeable commuting and cruising." ConsumerGuide.com editors find that the Volvo C70 convertible "rides firmly but is comfortable." Attempts at more spirited driving leave a bitter taste with reviewers who are disappointed by a "lack of composure as the limit is reached" and an "uncomfortable corkscrewing motion" while aggressively tackling corners, according to an Automobile Magazine test of the 2009 version (mechanically identical to the 2011).
Furthermore, a considerable amount of chassis flex, resulting in cowl shake and less communicative handling, is noticeable and detracts from the C70 convertible's driving experience according to most reviewers. Car and Driver editors make plenty of "remarks about steering-column shivers and chassis quivers" in an older but still-relevant 2007 comparison test, and ConsumerGuide.com reviewers experience "modest top-down cowl shake." The dynamic shortcomings of the Volvo aren't likely to dissuade those shoppers looking for something to cruise the boulevard in, but anyone seeking agile handling should look elsewhere. As a SpeedTV.com review summarizes nicely, it's "best to just lay back and enjoy the ride."
Going along with the Volvo C70's general ethos, the engine proves capable for cruising but lackluster for sports-car performance. The 2011 C70 is motivated by a turbocharged inline five-cylinder that produces an adequate, but unexciting, 227 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Mated to this is a five-speed automatic transmission with a manual shifting function that channels that power to the front wheels. Most competitors now offer units with six or seven gears. Some reviewers report that the Volvo C70's powertrain combination results in a car that feels somewhat sluggish, and others like LeftLaneNews.com reviewer Mark Elias feel as though an "extra gear would help keep the five-banger in its power band just a bit better." The convertible's five-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated fuel-economy rating of 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined on regular-grade fuel.
Safety has long been a Volvo selling point and the C70's safety features and crash-test performance uphold that tradition. Standard safety equipment includes stability control, front airbags, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, pop-up rollbars, front headrests that reduce whiplash and antilock brakes with brake force distribution technology. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash tested the C70 and gives it its highest rating of "Good" for front-, side-, and rear-impact protection.
The C70 is predicted to have average reliability as determined by a well-respected consumer organization.
The 2011 Volvo C70 is a comfortable, slightly cheaper option among entry-level luxury convertibles. Its new, attractive exterior is certainly a selling point, as is its uniquely designed interior. Alternatives from BMW, Audi, Inifiniti and Lexus offer as much luxury with more performance and driver involvement according to reviewers, and those cars are consistently preferred in comparison tests. Still, with its good looks, unique style and a pleasant ride, Car and Driver concludes that the 2011 C70 is "an attractive proposition, provided haste is not a priority."
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org provides detailed test results and reliability history based on its annual user surveys. ConsumerReports.org buys all the vehicles it tests. This report is restricted to subscribers.
Review: Volvo C70, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
2. Edmunds.com
Edmunds.com editors like the 2011 C70 for its svelte new sheetmetal as well as for its luxurious interior, comfortable ride and "superbly supportive" front seats. Editors highlight lackluster performance as a shortcoming. This stems from the numb steering, considerable body roll and average power output. Overall, editors feel that the C70's strengths will suit most convertible shoppers.
Review: 2011 Volvo C70, Editors of Edmunds.com
This comprehensive, road-test write up from ConsumerGuide.com examines all aspects of the 2011 Volvo C70. As with other reviewers, editors here feel that the convertible's performance lags behind that of similarly priced competitors. But, they say it is "a pleasant, stylish blend of top-down fun and fixed-roof security." A comfortable ride and decent cargo capacity are cited as other bonuses, though they assess the rear seats as "a token gesture" rather than legitimate passenger seats.
Review: 2011 Volvo C70: Road Test, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
This government website provides fuel-economy ratings for all new cars sold in the United States. The 2011 Volvo C70 convertible returns 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined with its five-speed automatic transmission, which is slightly better than some entry-level luxury competition.
Review: 2011 Volvo C70, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov
5. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an independent organization backed by the insurance industry that crash tests many new automobiles each year. The 2011 Volvo C70 receives the highest possible ratings for occupant protection in front-, side-, and rear-impact scenarios.
Review: Midsize Convertibles, Editors of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
6. SPEEDtv.com
Echoing the sentiment of other reviewers, Bob Golfen finds the 2011 Volvo C70 to be a compelling option for those looking for a comfortable ride and fun in the sun, but not for those who want noteworthy performance. He tests a fully loaded model that rings in at a hefty $46,550. The folding hard top is one of the reviewer's favorite features as it looks good and provides versatile all-weather usability.
Review: Driven: Styling Upgrades Raise Volvo Convertible, Bob Golfen, April 26, 2010
This review comes away with similar conclusions to others in finding that the 2010 Volvo C70's new design is "downright sexy" and that overall what it lacks in performance is balanced with what it offers in value and comfort. The reviewer finds the interior to be luxurious but the center console to be unintuitive, and the optional Multimedia Package is summed up as "everything a techno-dweeb could ever want."
Review: Review: 2010 Volvo C70 T5, Mark Elias, April 7, 2010
This short article offers a quick snapshot of a reviewer's opinion on the 2010 Volvo C70. The reviewer cites ample rear-seat size for a convertible and a smooth ride in calling the C70 "a good car." Other than minor styling differences, the 2010 model is mechanically similar to the 2011.
Review: C70 Convertible Builds Solid Case for Volvo, Steven Cole Smith, June 10, 2010
9. Road & TrackDetails/Subscribe
Though it's called a comparison test, this article is more like a collection of five reviews assembled in one place as there isn't much direct comparison among the cars. Regardless, the reviewer comes away impressed with the C70 for its luxurious demeanor and relatively reasonable price. The article discusses Volvo's safety technology as well.
Review: 5 Killer Convertibles -- Comparison Test, Jim Hall, Jan. 7, 2010
10. Car and DriverDetails/Subscribe
The 2007 Volvo C70 tested here comes in last place in this comparison. The current 2011 model is nearly identical mechanically to the 2007 model year, and the competition is still around today in very similar form, save the Audi A4, which has been replaced by the A5 Cabrio. Again, the smooth ride is underscored as a benefit. The reviewer puts the C70 in last place for its "rubbery chassis" and unimpressive driving dynamics.
Review: 2007 VW Eos vs. Audi A4, BMW 328i, Volvo C70, Saab 9-3 -- Comparison Tests, Tony Swan, June 2007
11. Cars.com
Sara Lacey, a reviewer for MotherProof.com, writes at Cars.com (which owns MotherProof) about her impressions of the 2011 Volvo C70. She feels that the engine has enough get-up-and-go for everyday driving and that the folding hard top is a huge convenience. The high price for her optioned-out tester makes her conclude that forgoing the options would be a good idea. She also notes that getting in and out of the rear seats is awkward.
Review: 2011 Volvo C70, Sara Lacey, Sept. 24, 2010
12. InsideLine.com
InsideLine.com, Edmunds.com's enthusiast website, features a hard-top convertible comparison that includes the 2007 BMW 328i and the 2006 Volvo C70 (which is mechanically very similar to the 2011 model). Reviewer Ed Hellwig can't stress enough how improved the Volvo is when compared to previous iterations, but nonetheless he finds that the BMW bests it in nearly every dimension.
Review: Hardtop Convertible Comparison: 2006 Volvo C70 vs 2007 BMW 328i, Ed Hellwig, May 16, 2007
13. Automobile MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Preston Lerner calls the 2009 Volvo C70 "the odd car out" as it's the only one with a five-cylinder, and the only one with a front-wheel drive setup. The car is singled out early on for its shortcomings: it only has a five-speed automatic, the navigation interface is poor and the structure is called "creaky" and "rattle-prone" when compared to the competition. The 2009 Volvo C70 is mechanically the same as the 2011 model.
Review: Great Drive: Luxury Hardtop Convertible Comparison, Preston Lerner, Aug. 2009
14. Kicking Tires, a Cars.com Blog
This concise head-to-head comparison pits the 2007 Volkswagen Eos against the 2007 Volvo C70. Since the 2007 version of the C70 is nearly the same mechanically as the 2011 model, these results are applicable. Both reviewers quickly sense the C70's forte is leisurely driving and appreciate its ability to "multitask" with its retractable hard top. David Thomas thinks the steering is a bit vague, and Mike Hanley discusses the chassis shudder over bumpy roads.
Review: Head to Head: 2007 Volvo C70 vs. 2007 Volkswagen Eos, David Thomas and Mike Hanley
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