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Volvo C70 Review

HerCar Rating:

Model Reviewed:
Volvo C70 T5
5 speed automatic "Geartronic"
$79,950*

Other models priced from:

LE Automatic $69,950*

 

HerCar Review

The Volvo C70 comes in 2 model variants, the LE and the T5 which has a more powerful engine and offers a few more goodies than the LE.

Volvo has successfully created a stylish, sporty looking car. One that looks great with the roof down or up. The roof is a superb piece on engineering. It is a hard top that breaks into 3 pieces as it poetically and automatically folds its way into the boot for storage. The whole manoeuvre is completed in under 30 seconds and all at the touch of a button. Don’t worry about the kids engaging the roof down feature. As a safety precaution, you need to have your foot on the brake, otherwise it won’t work.

The T5 has a lot of get up and go, but it’s more of a smooth build up of speed rather than a sheer rush of adrenaline as you press the accelerator to the floor. It’s also quite a “heavy feeling” car with the doors, boot, and bonnet all feeling very solid and safe.

The driver and front passenger seats are fully automatic with a comfortable and sporty feeling seat. The leather trim throughout is a beautiful textured thick leather that smells and feels luxurious. It’s available in vanilla, black, or rich chocolate. There is a sleek wood veneer panel in the centre of the car that displays the controls for the climate control and audio system. These controls are also mounted on the steering wheel both for convenience and safety.

As you would expect from Volvo, there is great emphasis on safety features. The driver and front passenger have 3 airbags each including front, side, and curtain to protect the head in side collisions. There is also Anti-lock Braking System, Traction Control, Emergency Brake Assist and Whiplash Protection System. To counter the loss of body rigidity on a convertible, the main body of the car has plenty of reinforcement in the doors and pillars. There is also a roll bar which is triggered in the event of a roll over.

The car has a great audio system with sound levels that adjust according to the outside noise. The T5 has 12 speakers and an in dash CD player. There are also 2 i-Pod jacks located in the front of the car.

There’s plenty of storage spots including 4 drink holders, door pockets, a centre console box, a tray behind the centre control panel, a lockable glovebox, and side storage bins in the rear. Boot space is a little limited with the roof down, but enough to get a couple of carry on luggage pieces and a brief case.

Because the C70 is a convertible where the roof is stored in the boot, special allowances need to be made for child seats that attach to the car. There are 2 child seat anchorage points; however, only certain child seat styles are appropriate. But don’t worry, Volvo will give you a complimentary child seat when you purchase the car.

Overall, the C70 is a really stylish looking car that performs well and offers you plenty of luxury features.

Features of Model Reviewed

Airbags: Driver and front passenger SRS airbags
ABS: Yes
EBD: Yes
Driver visibility: 4 Star Rating
Storage compartments: 4 Star Rating
Drink holders: 4
CD player: 6 disc CD changer in dash
Air conditioning: Climate Control
Power windows: Yes
Power steering: Yes
Power door mirrors: Yes
Child restraint anchorage points: 2
Transmission: "Tiptronic-style" 5 speed automatic
Engine capacity: 2.5 litre Turbo
Fuel type: Premium Unleaded
Fuel consumption: 9.8 litres/100 km
Warranty: 3 year/100,000km
Price: $79,950* manual

 

*Excludes on road costs
Information is correct at the time of review. Please check with your local Volvo dealer for the most recent information

Date Reviewed: December 2006

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