2010 Volvo C70 Review

The 2010 Volvo C70 gets miniscule updates for the new model year, mainly in the form of option-package shuffling and new adjustable front headrests.

With its retractable hardtop, attractive interior, well-mannered ride and long list of safety features, the 2010 Volvo C70 is a prime contender in the premium convertible segment, but milquetoast performance means some competitors will leave it behind.

When the second-generation Volvo C70 was introduced in 2006, its retractable hardtop roof was still a novelty and caused passersby to stop and stare at the mechanical marvel. And in the roughly 30 seconds it takes to drop the top, they also had time to admire the car's fluid lines. This show of engineering strength and design style went a long way in helping the Swedish car company shed its dowdy image of building only durable but blocky wagons.

The car has been a minor hit with those in the market for a luxury convertible, and so Volvo has given the second-generation C70 only minor tweaks in the last few years. The 2010 model plays it safe by sticking with a successful formula, including retaining a turbocharged five-cylinder engine, which also means the car is built more for comfort than speed when compared to some of its competitors.

While the luxury convertible segment is a small one -- and the list of retractable hardtops is even smaller -- the group has grown to include the formidable BMW 3 Series and, just this year, the Infiniti G37 and Lexus IS C convertibles. Volkswagen's Eos is another contender. Overall, we still think the 2010 Volvo C70 is worth consideration, but its practicality, good looks and great safety alone might not be enough to win you over with a purchase.

The power plant for the 2010 C70 is Volvo's venerable turbocharged 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine that produces 227 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed automatic with manual-shift control. The automatic-transmission C70 gets 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined, while the manual models get 20 city/28 highway and 23 mpg combined, according to the EPA.

Along with antilock disc brakes with brake assist, standard safety features for the 2010 Volvo C70 include stability control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags for front passengers, roll bars that deploy in the case of a roll-over accident, and whiplash reducing front head restraints. In crash tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the C70 its highest rating of "Good" for frontal-offset and side impact protection.

Top-down driving in a convertible is usually a compromise, trading a quiet interior and a firm chassis feel for the sun in your face, the wind in your hair (and in your ears) and inherent body flex. But the 2010 Volvo C70 remains relatively rigid over bumps and dips, and the softly sprung suspension makes it a comfy daily commuter and cordial highway cruiser.

On the flip side, we've found that the C70 exhibits numb steering, considerable body roll when cornering and plenty of pitch under heavy braking. Likewise, while the turbocharged engine offers decent low-end torque, the C70 is a bit of a laggard when compared to segment standard-bearers from BMW and Infiniti.

The C70's cabin is anchored by Volvo's signature "waterfall" center stack, which is slightly angled so the main controls are closer at hand. The controls used to access stereo, Bluetooth and navigation functions are clunky and not intuitive, but Volvo's trademark "reclining man" climate controls are virtually idiot-proof. The optional wood trim dresses up the center stack, albeit with an IKEA-like feel -- overall, the cabin isn't as rich as others in this class. More desirable is the optional Dynaudio system, which is one of the best-sounding open-air audio experiences available from any automaker.

Most people will find the C70's front seats comfortable, and a button on each backrest slides the seats forward for easier access to the rear seats. Rear legroom isn't expansive, but compared to most other luxury convertibles, the C70 actually provides decent room for children or small adults.

With the top up, trunk capacity is a generous 12.8 cubic feet, though with the top down it drops to less than half of that at 6 cubes. A button in the trunk activates the C70's standard Load Assist feature that lifts the compacted roof assembly a few inches to create a bit more space for small items. In total, the C70 is more cargo-friendly than its retractable-hardtop rivals.