Makes›Volvo›C70›2010

2010 Volvo C70

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.

Class
Subcompact Cars
Body styles
T5 2dr Conv FWD
Engines
2.5L 5-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 20 city / 28 hwy
Length
180.3 in
Curb weight
3,827 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Overview

The 2010 Volvo C70 is a subcompact car offered with a 2.5L 5-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 180 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,827 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 28 highway), 5% better than the 2010 subcompact car average of 22 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2010

  • Best combined MPG up from 21 to 23

Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 C70 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
T5 2dr Conv FWD180.3 in71.7 in55.5 in103.9 in61 / 60.6 in3,827 lb56/44

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
C70 FWD2.5L 5-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23+5%$2,900386
C70 FWD2.5L 5-cyl turboAutomatic (S5)Front-Wheel Drive19 / 28 / 220%$3,050404
Spend $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
22 MPG2010 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Volvo C70 under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2010 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2010 Volvo C70 (this car)23 MPGNot rated2
2010 BMW 3 Series27 MPGNot rated2
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class21 MPGNot rated0
2010 Lexus IS24 MPGNot rated8
2010 Audi A426 MPGNot rated0
2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class21 MPGNot rated0
2010 Lexus GS23 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (2)

Equipment › Other › Labels · Oct 18, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V508000 · 20,611 vehicles

Problem
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 C70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2005, THROUGH JULY 31, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 S60 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2010, THROUGH APRIL 16, 2011, THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE KIT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN THE CORRECT INFORMATION FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL KIT.
Risk
A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND INSTALL THE LABEL AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300.
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) · Nov 8, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V566000 · 416 vehicles

Problem
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Risk
AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Fix
VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2010 Volvo C70 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

3Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
71,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System1
Unknown Or Other1
Structure › Body1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/02: 115/05: 119/07: 115/0215/0519/07max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2010 Volvo C70 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 1 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Structure › Body — 1 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  4. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 71,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  5. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Volvo C70. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other C70 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2013 C7022180.3 inNot rated011
2012 C7021180.3 inNot rated122
2011 C7023180.3 inNot rated113
2009 C7021180.3 inNot rated26
2008 C7021180.3 inNot rated214
2007 C7021180.3 inNot rated28
2006 C7021180.3 inNot rated22

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volvo. How we calculate this →