Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2008 Volvo C70 VS 2008 Volkswagen Eos Near Scottsdale, AZ

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volvo C70 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Volkswagen Eos doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The C70’s optional blind spot warning system uses digital cameras monitored by computer to alert the driver to moving objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The Eos doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

Both the C70 and the Eos have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the general design of front seat head restraints for their ability to protect front seat occupants from whiplash injuries. The IIHS also performs a dynamic test on those seats with “good” or “acceptable” geometry. In these ratings, the C70 is safer then the Eos:

(Lower numerical results are better in all tests.)

For its top level performance in frontal, side and rear impact tests, and its standard Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the C70 as a “Top Pick for 2007,” a rating only granted to 24 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Eos was not a 2007 Top Pick.

The C70’s 2.5 turbo 5 cyl. produces 27 more horsepower (227 vs. 200) and 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (236 vs. 207) than the Eos’ standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The C70’s 2.5 turbo 5 cyl. produces 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (236 vs. 235) than the Eos VR6’s standard 3.2 DOHC V6.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volvo C70 uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Eos requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 25 to 50 cents more per gallon.

The C70 has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Eos (16.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the C70’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Eos:

The C70 stops much shorter than the Eos:

For better traction, the C70 has larger tires than the Eos (235/45R17 vs. 215/55R16).

The C70’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio), which provides a stiffer sidewall than the Eos’ standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the C70 has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Eos.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the C70’s wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the Eos (103.9 inches vs. 101.5 inches).

The C70’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56% to 44%) than the Eos’ (57.2% to 42.8%). This gives the C70 more stable handling and braking.

The C70 handles at .85 G’s, while the Eos 2.0 T pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The C70 goes through Road & Track’s slalom faster than the Eos 2.0 T (65 vs. 64.7 MPH).

As tested by Road & Track while cruising at 50 MPH, the interior of the C70 is quieter than the Eos 2.0 T (67 vs. 70 dB).

The C70 has .7 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more rear headroom and 5.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Eos.

The C70 has a much larger trunk with its top up than the Eos with its top up (12.8 vs. 10.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the C70 easier. The C70’s trunk lift-over height is 27 inches, while the Eos’ liftover is 28.3 inches.

When three different drivers share the C70, the memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Eos doesn’t offer a memory system.

The C70’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Eos’ rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

On a hot day the C70’s driver can lower all the windows using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the Eos can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The C70 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Eos doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Insurance will cost less for the C70 owner. The Car Book rates the C70 with a number 3 insurance rate while the Eos is rated higher at a number 5 rate.