2003 Volvo C70 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Volvo drops the coupe version of its C70, leaving only the convertible for 2003. A revised grille and slightly more power are new for this 4-seat ragtop, which is based on Volvo's previous-generation midsize-car platform. A power top and heated glass rear window are standard. Two models are offered, both with a turbo inline 5-cyl engine. The C70 2.4 has a 2.4 liter with 197 hp, a gain of 7. The more-expensive C70 2.3 has a 2.3-liter engine of 242 hp, also a gain of 7. The 2.4 comes only with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The 2.3 comes with the automatic or a 5-speed manual. Standard on both are traction control, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, front side airbags, leather upholstery, and heated front seats.

Competition

This hotly contested segment has its benchmark in the Lexus ES 300. It blends comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. ES 300 manages to offer a little more luxury than others in the class.

We Recommend the Acura TL, Audi A4, and new Infiniti G35. All offer comfort, speed, and nimble handling at attractive prices. The sporty and Euro-flavored BMW 3-Series is Recommended 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

Sources say the Volvo ragtop runs only through the current model year before following the C70 coupe to automotive Valhalla. No direct replacement is planned.

2003 Volvo C70 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Instruments/controls	Road noise

Acceleration	Rear-seat entry/exit

	Ride

	Rear visibility

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2.4, auto.	2.3, man., w/17-inch wheels	Class Average
6	7	7.7

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

Fuel Economy

2.4, auto.	2.3, man., w/17-inch wheels	Class Average
5	5	4.8

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

Ride Quality

2.4, auto.	2.3, man., w/17-inch wheels	Class Average
4	3	4.1

Jarring over all but smooth surfaces. Mediocre even with standard 16s. Patchy pavement induces undue body drumming for a near-luxury car.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2.4, auto.	2.3, man., w/17-inch wheels	Class Average
6	6	8.6

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, auto.	2.3, man., w/17-inch wheels	Class Average
4	4	4

Engines vocal and crude-sounding at full throttle. Top-up wind rush is low, but tires trigger intrusive coarse-pavement tire thrum.

Controls

2.4, auto.	2.3, man., w/17-inch wheels	Class Average
5	5	6

Mostly user-friendly, 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, auto.	2.3, man., w/17-inch wheels	Class Average
6	6	5.4

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

Room/Comfort (rear)

2.4, auto.	2.3, man., w/17-inch wheels	Class Average
2	2	.7

Only preteens fit. Front seats power forward for entry/exit, but are snail-slow and still leave pinched passageways.

Cargo Room

2.4, auto.	2.3, man., w/17-inch wheels	Class Average
2	2	2.2

Enough for a weekend's worth of soft luggage for two.

Value within Class

2.4, auto.	2.3, man., w/17-inch wheels	Class Average
1	1	4.6

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. Road manners are good, but turbo-throttle lag, a harsh ride, and tiny back seats aggravate. Similarly priced Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series rivals are better cars.

Total Score

2.4, auto.	2.3, man., w/17-inch wheels	Class Average
41	41	48.1

Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score		38
Average Score		48
High Score		61

2003 Volvo C70 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 02/10/2003

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2.4-liter 2-door convertible	$44,125	$41,477	$685

2.3-liter 2-door convertible	$46,125	$43,357	$685

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 197-horsepower engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, traction control.

Safety

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

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, interior air filter, power steering, tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated 8-way power front bucket seats w/driver-seat memory, center console, cupholders, trunk pass-through, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, power antenna, 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 adds to 2.4-liter:

Powertrain

2.3-liter dohc turbocharged 242-horsepower engine, 5-speed manual transmission.

Comfort and Convenience Features

AM/FM/cassette w/in-dash 3-disc CD changer, trip computer, automatic day/night rearview mirror, outside-temperature indicator, wood interior trim.

Optional Equipment

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

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


Safety
On-Call Plus Communications System
2.3-liter, 2.4-liter	$835	$709
Emergency-assistance program. Includes one-year service fee.

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

Dolby Prologic Sound System
2.3-liter	$600	$510


Wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel
2.3-liter, 2.4-liter	$250	$212


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Cratos alloy wheels
2.3-liter, 2.4-liter	$500	$425
Includes 225/45ZR17 tires.

Propus alloy wheels
2.3-liter, 2.4-liter	$975	$828
Includes 225/45ZR17 tires.

2003 Volvo C70 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Volvo C70 2-door convertible

Wheelbase, in.	104.9

Overall Length, in.	185.7

Overall Width, in.	71.5

Overall Height, in.	56.3

Curb Weight, lbs.	3450

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	8.1

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	17.9

Seating Capacity	4

Front Head Room, in.	39.2

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.4

Rear Head Room, in.	36.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	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.	197 @ 5700	242 @ 5400

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	210 @ 1800	243 @ 2400

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	--/--	20/26

5-speed automatic	20/26	20/26

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 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

< 2003 Volvo C70 Photos

Also in the 2003 Volvo C70 Review:

Volvo C70

Volvo C70 Road Test

Volvo C70 Prices & Equipment

Volvo C70 Specs & Safety

Volvo C70 Photos

Volvo C70 Full Review

All Volvo C70s

All Volvos