The good news: The week I got the Volvo C70 convertible to test drive, the weather was spectacularly beautiful and perfect for driving with the top down.

The bad news: The air had a yellow haze and pine tree pollen was falling inside the car every time we took the top down.

My car guy, Sergio, who had just cleaned the inside of the car to perfection before he dropped it off, was getting a little frustrated as he demonstrated the top-take-down procedure to me as we sat under a big pine tree in my driveway.

It was raining brown pine tree seedlings in the C70.

I like the hardtop on the C70. Besides being able to go from al fresco driving to sedan-like comfort at the press of a button, the three-piece retractable hardtop adds a level of security and quietness that makes the C70 more than just a convertible coupe toy.

If you’re looking for an upscale convertible that has a sleek and modern style but won’t sacrifice things like comfort, safety and year-round practicality, a test drive of the C70 needs to be in your future.

The 2012 Volvo C70 is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine rated at 227 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque.

Front-wheel drive and a five-speed automatic with manual-shift control are standard.

EPA fuel economy estimates for this powertrain are 18 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined.

It’s not a really fast car, but those buying a Volvo coupe usually are looking for more safety features than speed.

Handling is light, which is strange considering the car’s heavy 3,840-pound curb weight. It’s not really sporty, but offers a satisfying and nimble drive for a mom with kids in the back.

It was a two-door and getting kids in and out wasn’t easy, but pretty typical for a coupe. The convertible top came in handy – sometimes, I just put the top down simply to get my three-year-old into the rear car seat. It was easier than reaching back behind the front seat.

Volvo’s reputation for safety is front and center in the C70 and standard safety equipment includes roll-over protection, whiplash protection and front, side and curtain airbags.

The C70 had a base price of $40,460 and as tested was $47,775.

So, did we brave the pollen and look cool with the top down the week I had the C70 or stay nice and non-allergen contaminated, inside the hard top?

Here’s a hint: Kids don’t care about pollen.It’s all about looking cool.