2012 Volvo C70

Thanks to that nicely engineered hardtop, this 4-seater is both a sharp-looking sports coupe and a handsome convertible.

The 3-piece hardtop folds deftly into the trunk in 30 seconds at the push of a console button. Push another button and you're sitting again in a quiet, upscale coupe in the same amount of time.

This Volvo comes in a single trim level called T5 and isn't inexpensive, at $38,710. But it's got lots of comfort, convenience and safety equipment, including an enhanced rollover protection system.

New Popularity
Despite higher prices, convertibles with retractable power metal roofs have become popular, and for sound reasons: They offer carefree top-down driving and hardtop quietness and security.

Gone are the excessive noise, wobbly chassis, poor rear visibility, safety concerns and tight back seats that long plagued regular soft-top convertibles.

Mercedes-Benz kicked off the modern retractable hardtop craze in 1998 with its small SLK 2-seater, and other such models are offered by Cadillac and Lexus. Even Pontiac recently introduced its new G6 power retractable hardtop, and another one arrives later this year from Volkswagen.

Outnumbered
Regular, lower-cost soft-top convertibles outnumber those with retractable metal hardtops. They have simpler top mechanisms and are lighter for better handling and fuel economy, which is why the new Jaguar XK sports car convertible has a conventional soft-top.

But retractable metal hardtops seem more suited to the new century, with its greater emphasis on comfort and security. For one thing, thieves can't slash their tops to gain entry. And their hardtops often provide better overall styling because a flat piece of canvas often doesn't go well with metal body curves.

Nothing New
There's nothing new about retractable hardtops—France's Peugeot offered a slick, electronically powered metal retractable hardtop coupe in the 1930s. Decades later, Ford sold its 1957-59 Skyliner retractable hardtop, which lasted longer than many thought it would because it had a complicated, troublesome design that current auto technology eliminates.

After the Sunliner, "retractables" were considered too costly and unreliable for decades to be mainstream cars.

The previous Volvo 4-seat convertible was equipped with a soft-top and was dropped after 2004. It had mediocre chassis rigidity and thus excessive cowl shake and squeaks for its approximately $40,000 price. There also was too much throttle lag from either of its two available turbocharged engines.

Big Improvement
The front-wheel-drive C70 is considerably better, with a chassis twice as structurally rigid. The new car is based on Volvo's S40 sedan, but is longer, lower, wider and heavier. My low-mileage test car felt solid, with no shakes or rattles over the smooth and moderately rough roads on which it was driven.

There's only one engine offered—a turbocharged inline 2.5-liter 5-cylinder. It produces 218 horsepower and generally lively acceleration.

Heavy Feel
However, the C70 is a little slow off the line because it weighs nearly 3,800 pounds. It feels heavy, although some might find that reassuring.

Power delivery occasionally is a bit jerky, but the C70 accelerates strongly when the engine tops 3000 rpm, providing fast 65-80 mph passing. However, an extra cylinder in a larger engine would help initial acceleration.

The C70 comes with a slick 6-speed manual gearbox, but most probably will buy the car with the responsive $1,250 5-speed automatic transmission. After all, this Volvo is more of a comfortable cruiser than a car designed to tackle winding roads at high speeds.

The electro-hydraulic steering is accurate, with a big steering wheel providing a hefty feel. Anti-lock brakes with brake force distribution provide short stops despite a pedal that is a little soft. The ride is smooth and handling is above-average, although not as precise as that of the Audi, BMW or Saab convertibles.

Helping keep the C70 on the road under trying conditions is a Dynamic Stability Traction Control system.

Long, Heavy Doors
Entry and exit are restricted in tight parking areas by long, heavy doors. And athletic moves are needed to get in or out of the back seat—even though large, supportive front bucket seats slide forward to allow easier rear-seat entry.

One problem is that front seatbelts are in your face when entering or leaving the rear. Also, those belts are difficult for front occupants to grasp and buckle.

Decent Rear Seat Room
This is one of few 4-seat convertibles with decent rear seat room for 6-footers, as long as the front seats aren't shoved more than halfway back. The back seat is comfortable, not chopped-off to provide more leg room.

Thick windshield posts partly block forward visibility when turning corners. But they provide protection in a rollover, along with a rollover protection system that includes rear automatic pop-up rollover bars, front side torso airbags and head-protecting front-seat side airbags.

The steeply raked windshield helps make the C70 look handsome, but takes some of the "open-air" feeling from top-down driving for front-seat occupants.

Gauges should be backlit for better visibility in bright sunlight, but sound system and climate controls are large. And the dual front and rear cupholders have sliding covers to keep the upscale interior looking neat. There's only average cockpit storage space for small items, but doors have pockets with nifty snap-out covers.

Scant Trunk Room
Little trunk space is to be found, especially with the retractable hardtop in its lowered position. A small amount of soft luggage or a few duffle bags thus are recommended for trips.

However, trunk space isn't much of an issue for many owners of convertibles, which aren't considered primary cars and are used as second or third family autos. And you can always toss cargo in the back seat.

Trunk room aside, the new Volvo C70 T5 has the versatility to be used as a primary car, offering top-down driving kicks and all-weather versatility.