A Scandinavian convertible might seem like an oxymoron, but Volvo built one anyway. It might not be the flashiest convertible on the market, but the C70 is tested as the safest, staying true to the Volvo name. A carryover from 2008, the C70 sees no major changes for 2009 and is built on the Volvo D1 platform, along with the S40, V50, and the C30.

The only North American trim available is the T5, which has a 2.5-liter, inline five-cylinder engine that reaches 227 hp. For mileage, the C70 achieves 18 mpg city, and 27 mpg highway. The two transmissions available are a six-speed manual and a five-speed automatic, both of which are front-wheel drive. The C70 can seat four adults comfortably.

A fusion of coupe and convertible, the C70 utilizes a retractable hard top that can be lowered or raised in about 30 seconds. When down, it fits completely in the luggage compartment, leaving some room for actual luggage. When the hard top is up, it creates a quieter, more secure cabin than its soft-top counterparts.

A leather interior comes standard for the C70, along with a 6-disk CD changer. The interior looks refined, clean, and comfortable, but Volvo spent more of their money on safety than extra frills, so luxuries like a navigation system or heated seats are extra-cost options.

As with many new convertibles, the C70 comes standard with auto-extendable rollover bars. When a rollover is detected, the hoop bars extend from behind the rear passengers. For the first time, the C70 is equipped with front and rear passenger side impact curtains that deploy from the door. Along with the standard list of safety features of antilock brakes, dual front airbags, and traction control, Volvo adds a stability control mechanism that senses and assists the driver when a skid is detected.