Volvo C70

Our verdict

The Volvo C70 is priced slighty out of its league. It isn’t much better than the cheaper mass-brand CCs.

Comfort

Up front you get Volvo's usual excellent seats and ergonomics, but in the back it's cramped and, roof down, very windy. The ride is turbulent, too - not harsh, but permanently unsettled.

Performance

The petrol bidding is opened by a five-cylinder 2.4 which is more than adequate if you specify manual. The 2.5T is terrific for wafting briskly. The 2.0 diesel is fine, too, and not at much of a disadvantage compared with the D5.

Cool

This is a nicely turned-out CC and no-one will laugh at you. Be grateful for that.

Quality

We love the generic Volvo interior, with its cool graphics and minimalist surfaces made from good-quality materials. The hood mechanism is frighteningly complex but has worked nicely in our samples.

Handling

Treated gently the C70 handles OK, but if you push it the steering loses its self-centring and the body shimmies mar the precision.

Practicality

It's a four-seater. But the boot is awful when the roof's down - it takes ages to whirr the roof upward to get at the contents.

Running costs

Stick to a moderate engine and it's surprisingly cheap to keep a C70 going.