2002 Volvo C70 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Based on Volvo's previous-generation midsize-car platform, the C70 comes as a 2-dr coupe and a convertible with a power top and heated glass rear window. Both have a turbo inline 5-cyl engine. Convertibles get 190-hp or 236-hp versions, coupes get the 236 only. The 236-hp engine comes with manual transmission or optional 5-speed automatic; automatic is standard with the 190-hp unit. Standard on C70s are antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, front side airbags, leather upholstery, and front seats designed to minimize whiplash injury. Standard instead of optional for 2002 are traction control and heated front seats. The coupe comes with a sunroof.

Competition

This hotly contested segment has two clear benchmarks; the Acura TL and Lexus ES 300. Both succeed in blending comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. ES 300 offers a little more luxury and TL, with it's Type-S, a bit more sport.

We Recommend the sporty and Euro-flavored BMW 3-Series as a rear-drive alternative. The "3" has enough bodystyles and engine choices to suit anyone. At the other end of the near-luxury spectrum is the posh and comfortable Buick Park Avenue--an old-school luxo-cruiser from Detroit.

News

Volvo's coupe and convertible were slow movers right out of the box, and demand has since shriveled to almost nothing. Also, the C70s are the only Volvos still using the old 1993 850-series basic design, so they're now quite obsolete and ready for retirement. Late word is that they will be dropped soon, probably after the 2002 model run, with no direct replacement planned.

2002 Volvo C70 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Instruments/controls	Road noise

Acceleration	Rear-seat entry/exit

Steering/handling	Ride

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2.4 conv	2.3 cpe, man.	Class Average
6	7	7.8

Enough for most any need, though both engines suffer frustrating turbo throttle lag, especially when passing. The 2.3 engine is faster than the 2.4, but the 2.4 has the more-progressive power delivery.

Fuel Economy

2.4 conv	2.3 cpe, man.	Class Average
5	5	4.6

Test C70s averaged about 20 mpg regardless of engine or transmission. Premium fuel is required.

Ride Quality

2.4 conv	2.3 cpe, man.	Class Average
3	3	4

Stiff with the 16-inch tires, jarring over all but smooth surfaces with the low-profile 17s. Patchy pavement and some freeways also induce undue body drumming for a near-luxury car, especially in convertibles.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2.4 conv	2.3 cpe, man.	Class Average
6	6	8.3

Strong, sure braking. Firm, accurate steering. Balanced through sweeping curves, but not that nimble in tight, fast changes of direction. Also, mild front-drive torque steer--unwanted pulling to the side in rapid acceleration.

Quietness

2.4 conv	2.3 cpe, man.	Class Average
4	4	3.6

Engines vocal and crude-sounding at full throttle. Wind rush is low, but optional 17-inch performance tires trigger intrusive coarse-pavement tire thrum.

Controls

2.4 conv	2.3 cpe, man.	Class Average
5	6	5.3

Mostly user-friendly for placement and function, but the steering wheel can obscure some switches. Even with standard leather upholstery, there's too much low-grade plastic for cabin materials to feel special.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2.4 conv	2.3 cpe, man.	Class Average
6	6	5.1

Good space even for large adults. Firm, chairlike seats are long-distance comfortable. Visibility is fine in the coupe, subpar top-up in convertibles. Alert basic driving position is easily tailored.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2.4 conv	2.3 cpe, man.	Class Average
2	3	.6

Only preteens fit, and they may not be comfortable. Convertible's seat is narrower and even less hospitable than the coupe's. Front seats power forward for entry/exit, but are snail-slow and still leave pinched passageways.

Cargo Room

2.4 conv	2.3 cpe, man.	Class Average
2	3	2.1

Enough in either body style for a weekend's worth of soft luggage for two.

Value within Class

2.4 conv	2.3 cpe, man.	Class Average
1	1	4.2

C70s are high style--for Volvo--but at high prices, and their basic 1993-vintage design shows its age in mediocre chassis rigidity for the class, convertibles especially. Road manners are good, but turbo-throttle lag, a harsh ride with the low-profile 17-inch tires, and tiny back seats aggravate. Similarly priced BMW 3-Series rivals are better cars, with Acura's CL the high-value coupe alternative.

Total Score

2.4 conv	2.3 cpe, man.	Class Average
40	44	45.6

Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score		34
Average Score		45
High Score		61

2002 Volvo C70 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 12/21/2001

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2.4-liter 2-door convertible	$44,125	$41,477	$625

2.3-liter 2-door coupe	$37,525	$35,273	$625

2.3-liter 2-door convertible	$46,125	$43,257	$625

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

2.4-liter

Powertrain

2.4-liter dohc turbocharged 5-cylinder 190-horsepower engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, front-seat active head restraints, rollover-protection system (convertible), antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunk release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate control, interior air filter, power steering, tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated 8-way power front bucket seats w/driver-seat memory, center console, cupholders, rear-seat trunk pass-through, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, rear defogger, illuminated visor mirrors, intermittent wipers, map lights, power convertible top, remote fuel-door and decklid release, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, front and rear fog lights, headlight wiper/washer, 205/55ZR16 tires, alloy wheels.

2.3-liter coupe adds to 2.4-liter:

Powertrain

2.3-liter dohc turbocharged 5-cylinder 236-horsepower engine, 5-speed manual transmission.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power sunroof, automatic day/night rearview mirror, universal garage-door opener, trip computer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Sport suspension, 225/45ZR17 tires.

2.3-liter convertible adds to 2.3-liter coupe:

Comfort and Convenience Features

AM/FM/cassette w/in-dash 3-disc CD changer, outside-temperature indicator, power convertible top.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Deletes: power sunroof, universal garage-door opener.

215/55ZR16 tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Touring Pkg., 2.4-liter
2.4-liter	$765	$649
Trip computer, automatic day/night rearview mirror, simulated-wood interior trim.

Powertrain
5-speed automatic transmission
2.3-liter	$1,000	$1,000


Comfort and Convenience Features
AM/FM/cassette w/in-dash 3-disc CD changer
2.4-liter, 2.3-liter coupe	$1,200	$1,020
Includes Dolby Prologic Surround Sound System.

Dolby Prologic Surround Sound System
2.3-liter convertible	$600	$510


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Canisto alloy wheels
2.4, 2.3-liter convertible	$400	$340
Includes 225/45ZR17 tires.

Propus alloy wheels
2.3-liter convertible, 2.3-liter coupe, 2.4-liter	$1,500	$1,275
Includes 225/45ZR17 tires.

2002 Volvo C70 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Volvo C70 2-door coupe	Volvo C70 2-door convertible

Wheelbase, in.	104.9	104.9

Overall Length, in.	185.7	185.7

Overall Width, in.	71.5	71.5

Overall Height, in.	56.3	56.3

Curb Weight, lbs.	3365	3601

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	13.1	7.9

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	17.9	17.9

Seating Capacity	4	4

Front Head Room, in.	39.0	39.0

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.3	41.3

Rear Head Room, in.	36.6	36.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	34.6	34.6

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	Turbocharged dohc I5	Turbocharged dohc I5

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.4 /149	2.3 /141

Horsepower @ rpm.	190 @ 5100	236 @ 5400

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	199 @ 1800	244 @ 2400

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	--/--	21/28

5-speed automatic	21/28	20/27

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test

Volvo C70 2-door coupe

Volvo C70 2-door convertible

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	8/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/unlimited	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Sweden

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2002 Volvo C70 Photos

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