2012 Volvo C70

The Volvo C70 was one of the first convertibles with a folding hard top when it hit the market in 2006. The C70 hasn't seen many innovations since then, but its clean lines and minimalist interior ensure that it will continue to age gracefully. Mechanically, the C70 uses the same 227-hp turbocharged five-cylinder found in the C30 hatchback, and it is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission (sadly, the six-speed manual was dropped last year). Since the C70 is really more a cruiser than a hard charger, we recommend the standard seventeen-inch wheels over the optional eighteens and their more aggressive 40-series tires, which diminish ride comfort while doing little to increase handling prowess. That said, the C70 is a convertible that can be used year-round. The hard top cuts trunk space drastically when it's lowered, but when it's in place it offers the advantages of better sound and weather insulation along with greater security. Although it doesn't have Volvo's latest advancement in safety--the City Safety auto-braking system--the C70 still comes standard with a raft of features that help uphold Volvo's reputation for building some of the safest cars on the road.