The 2012 Volvo C70 is classified as a luxury midsize convertible that offers comfortable and high quality interior. This year, Volvo has revised the retractable hardtop for the C70, giving the car an upper hand when facing competition from rivals.
In addition, Volvo has added 2 trim levels: Premier Plus and Platinum, giving customers a wider range of models to choose from.
Specifications
| Vehicle Type: Convertible | Base Price: $40,990.00 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: 15.9 gallons (60l) | MPG: 19 city / 28 hwy |
| Length: 180.4 in. (458.2 cm) | Wheel Base: 103.9 in. (263.9 cm) |
| Height: 55.1 in. (139.9 cm) | Width: 72.3 in. (183.6 cm) |
| Curb Weight: 3837 lbs (1740 kg) | Ground Clearance: 5.5 in. (13.9 cm) |
| Luggage Capacity: 12.8 cu ft | Maximum Seating: 4 people |
| Engine: Inline-5 Turbo DOHC | Displacement: 2.5 Liter |
| Horsepower: 227 HP | Max RPM: 5000 RPM |
| Torque: 236 lb-ft @ 1500-5000 rpm | Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic |
| Option:T5 Inscription | MSRP: $44,350; MPG: 19 city / 28 hwy |
Engine & Performance
The 2012 C70, offered in standard 2-wheel drive, uses a 2.5L turbocharged 5-cylinder powertrain that makes 227 hp and 236 lbs-ft of torque. This engine is connected to a standard 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode.
These tweaks enable the C70 to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. This drive train gets a fuel economy estimate of 18 mpg in cities and 28 mpg on highways.
Exterior
The C70 has three trim levels, the T5, T5 Premier Plus and the T5 Platinum. Styling is impeccable, giving the C70 a front bearing a family resemblance to the XC60 crossover and S60 sedan. It receives a wedge-shaped nose with a larger air intake than the 2011 edition.
The rear has LED taillights that give it a chic look. The T5 base trim is fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear fog lamps, heated mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and power retractable hardtop. Stepping up to the Premier Plus trim, you will get extra features like keyless entry and rear parking sensors. Optional features on all trims consist of: adaptive bi-xenon headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, headlamp washers, LED running lights, rear spoiler and automatic wipers.
Interior
The C70 has stylish interior with a fashionable design. The cabin offers supportive and comfortable front seats and soft-touch surfaces. You will definitely be pleased with the front seats that are adjustable to offer comfortable legroom for the occupants.
The rear seats are also comfortable and offer ample legroom than Infiniti G37 and BMW 3-Series convertibles. The instrument panel is also well designed imparting more of a watch-dial design. All seats are made of leather, with cranberry-colored leather being optional.
Some of the standard features available in all trims include: trip computer, CD stereo with auxiliary jack input, and dual-zone climate control. The Volvo C70 comes with a cargo space of 6 cubic ft with the hardtop down, and 12.8 cubic ft when the top is up. The cargo capacity, when the top is in place, beats that of Lexus IS and Infiniti G37 convertibles.
Safety & Reliability
This car is equipped with several standard safety features including side curtain airbags, which are designed to stay deployed during a rollover. Other safety features include: traction control, emergency trunk release, roll over protection system, electronic stability control, brake assist, 4-wheel disc brakes, driver and front passenger airbags, side head airbags for the front seats and side impact airbags.
Volvo covers all new 2012 C70s with a comprehensive warranty for the first 5 years or 50,000 miles, as well as free scheduled maintenance during the first 50,000 miles or 5 years whichever comes first. Moreover, Volvo offers a free road assistance that is transferrable with the car within the first 5 years,
Pros
- Comfortable front seats
- Cosseting cabin
- Quiet and comfortable ride
- Unique safety features
- Sleek exterior with a retractable hardtop
Cons
- Confusing audio and navigation controls
- Unremarkable performance
Without a doubt, the 2012 Volvo C70 is not classified as a sports car, it looks sporty though. People shopping for midsize cars should take a look at this car, especially due to its ability to offer smooth rides, stylish exterior, and comfortable and luxurious interior.
Competition
The C70 keeps good company with other convertibles that include the BMW 1 Series (MSRP $36,900), the Lexus IS 250C (MSRP $41,190; 19 city / 28 hwy), and the Mercedes Benz SLK (MSRP $42,900; 22 city / 32 hwy).
Overall Rating
70 out of 100
What others say:
“The 2012 Volvo C70 boasts a retractable hardtop, a luxurious interior and a smooth ride, though its middling performance means some competitors will leave it behind.”Edmunds
“With a healthy dash of Scandinavian style and Volvo’s excellent reputation for safety, the 2012 C70 makes a solid all-around choice for a hardtop convertible.”Car Connection
“Not sports-car nimble, but C70 corners with front-drive assurance, modest body lean, and tolerable noseplow. The optional 18-inch wheels don’t offer much of an improvement, at least not enough to justify the ride penalty. Some testers find the steering nicely weighted, while others judge it a bit light and not that quick. The brakes are strong and easy to modulate.”Consumer Guide
“The C70 convertible has a hard top that’s power operated and works well. It comes with a turbocharged 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission. ”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports
“From the exceptional comfort of its form-fitting bucket seats to its pleasant and predictable road manners, the 2012 Volvo C70 is every inch the car Volvo promises it to be.”KBB
