EDMUNDS.COM 2004 VOLVO C70
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
The first "out of the box" Volvo is showing its age, but with its abundance of safety features, comfortable digs and a smooth ride, it''s still an appealing luxury convertible.
Pros
Luxurious interior, plenty of safety and comfort features, smooth ride, turbocharged engines.
Cons
Adding options quickly boosts the price, suspension isn''t tuned for sporty handling, prone to torque steer during hard acceleration.
What''s New for 2004
The only notable changes are two new interior colors -- Volcano Red and Linen White -- that include additional aluminum (red) or birchwood (white) dash inlays.
Overview
Introduction:
Since its introduction in 1998, the C70 convertible (and the now-defunct coupe) has been positioned as the "sporting" member of Volvo''s lineup, but it still offers the high levels of safety and luxury that Volvo buyers have come to expect. With the mission of going after buyers looking for a little excitement, the convertible offers impressive performance and room for four bona fide adults. But while the similarly named V70 wagon was redesigned two years ago (and moved to the larger, more capable platform used for the S60 and S80), the C70 continues to ride on the 11-year-old previous-generation S70/850 platform while waiting for a complete makeover. Of course, older underpinnings don''t make the C70 an undesirable car -- it''s simply not the best the company has to offer. The C70 competes against cars like the BMW 3 Series, the Mercedes-Benz CLK and the Saab 9-3. It is not as performance-oriented as the BMW or Mercedes, but the C70 does have its own unique advantages. If you are shopping for an attractive convertible with a serene ride and a full menu of safety and luxury features, the C70 is worthy of consideration.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The C70 is only available in convertible form with two available trim levels that correspond directly to the engine under the hood. The light-pressure turbo (LPT) model comes standard with dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, power front seats, one-touch operation for all four windows and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. An in-dash three-disc CD changer is optional as is a Touring Package that adds an auto-dimming rearview mirror, real wood trim and a trip computer. Step up to the high-pressure turbo (HPT) model and you get all of the above standard. Seventeen-inch wheels are optional for both trims.
Powertrains and Performance:
The standard LPT model is motivated by a light-pressure turbocharged 2.4-liter, five-cylinder engine spinning up 197 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. The top-of-the-line HPT model uses a higher-pressure turbocharger to generate 242 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard with the more powerful engine, and a five-speed automatic is optional. The base engine comes with the five-speed automatic only.
Safety:
In keeping with the Volvo''s tradition of providing safe transportation, the C70 includes side airbags for front occupants, anti-submarine seats and whiplash-reducing front headrests. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are also standard, but unlike other Volvos, the C70 cannot be equipped with a stability and traction control system. A rollover protection system (ROPS) adds roll bars that deploy in the event of a rollover accident. No crash tests have been performed on this vehicle.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Inside the cabin the C70''s gauges are clearly legible and the secondary controls are logically arranged on either side of the steering column. As with most Volvo products, the seats are superbly comfortable and offer a wide array of power adjustment and up to three different memory settings. With the aid of the steering wheel''s tilt/telescope adjustments, it''s easy to find the ideal driving position. You can raise or lower the convertible''s top with the release of a latch and the press of a button. Unlike most convertibles, the rear seats are big enough for two adults and the trunk offers decent cargo room. With the top up, the C70 Convertible is slightly noisier than its competitors.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
The standard engine provides adequate power, but the high-pressure turbo is definitely the more entertaining choice. All C70s deliver a smooth, forgiving ride around town, with light steering that makes daily drives a pleasure. Push them any harder, however, and their soft side shows, as there''s considerable body roll around corners. There''s noticeable cowl shake with the top down due to the car''s older underpinnings, but it detracts little from the driving experience. Overall, a comfortable cruiser that will satisfy drivers who prefer comfort over sport.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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