Model history and preview

Swedes have their own view on many things. It`s enough to remember such notions as “Swedish family” or “smorgasbord”. This specific and outgoing Scandinavian folk is proud of its uniqueness. That`s why we have Volvo cars exactly such individual as they are.

If we are speaking about Volvo, we instantly think about reliability, upper safety, maximum technology and continuity of generations. XC70 is nothing more than logical continuation of Volvo 850 model. Yes, there is Volvo S80 may be called more close relative to 850 model, but they both have the same platform.

XC70 is positioned as business-class estate of advanced passability and is a submodel of V70 estate. Volvo really believes that this form of the automobile is ideal for majority of people and can satisfy the most sophisticated requirements. And we hardly doubt this.

First generation of V70 (basic model for XC70) was released in 1997. After a little while in 2000 the concern desided to release second generation of this model to follow the latest tendentions and was unexpectedly successful. Now we have third generation of Volvo`s estate car with luxurious character, which was released in 2007 and till now just had a couple of facelifts. In 2015 Volvo is expected to release a new generation but we`ll see. This machine is still modern and respectable. And it still has the features remain us the old good first generation.

V70 is from Versatility. XC70 = V70 Cross Country (XC) that`s all the difference. It`s like an Audi A6 Allroad is similar to mere A6 but has additional abilities off the road. V70 is classified as executive car and XC70 as mid-size cross over, but ut is not accurate enough.

Now Volvo XC70 assembles in Europe (Sweden, Belgium) and in Halifax (Canada) for North America.

Exterior

As we stated before, the exterior of XC70 remains classic from 1997. Of course, now it`s modern, aggressive and smooth, but we can recognize this car from the first glance.

New design was established by Peter Hirbury who is a Vice President of Volvo concern. It looks more like shark, cause of its thin line of grille and headlamps and elongate  front panel.

Now the plastic bottom tells us XC70 has additional abilities by passability and looks stylish.

The design of this car is totally masculine and classic. The form factor makes women say that it resembles a catafalque and it`s really specific, but first of all it blows with classic style, solidity and self-confidence from this car.

Interior

The trim is also specific in XC70. After restyling we have brand new trimming with classic for Volvo white design with wooden inlays. That`s what look must have real luxuriousness: soft white plastic of frontal panels imitating the leather, red wood inlays all over the central console and near air vests, soft leather seats with a bunch of options. That is top class.

• Cabin Space. Nobody will experience any problem to adjust driver seat to him. The front occupant also will be absolutely leisure. Thanks to increased wheelbase, it is first XC70 which allows to place three rear passengers with plenty of shoulder- and headroom. Also there is cozy armrest with glass-holders and penal. Central tunnel has a adjustable vests for air cooling. Unfortunately, you won`t be able to set the tilt angle of the back seat. But its already optimal for the comfort ride.

Main Features

• Adaprive cruise control.
• City-safety& Pedestrian Detection allows you to avoid accidental collision with a person ran out to the road in front of you
• Extreme comfort in long trips: three-level seat heating and ventilation, all modern car control systems, electronics regulators of the frontal seats, telescopic-and-tilt steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers – lots of them and all for your comfort. Turn on the systems and just handle the car – that`s so simple.
• New trip-computer informative dashboard 7″ screen where you can adjust almost all systems in the car. It allows you also to watch films or change MP3 compositions from USB.
• Three regimes (Perfomance, Eco, Elegance) of adaptive stiffness of the suspension and engine revs.
• 12-dynamics and 650Watt of quality sound doesn`t leave you bored.
• Volvo On Call technology. This special smartphone application allows you to control many settings and conditions of your car. For example, you can track the way of your XC70 when you borrow it to somebody for a ride, you can see the fuel balance, switch the engine heating remotely. Also you can call the support center from your car when you need help or want to obtain additional information.

Usability & Suitability

• Boot Capacity. 575/1600 liters.Trunk is another trump of this car. It is very well done with electronic auto-open mechanism, velours trimming, pneumatic door closer and absolutely smooth floor even with bask seat folded. This generation of XC70 still has a safety lattice separating the cabin from the trunk. In also can be opened up for loading a bulky things. In addition, it can haul up to 750 kg trailer.
• Gasoline tank. 70l. More then enough considering the economy of modern Volvo engines.
• Suspension. McPherson both. Soft settings of the suspension allows you to feel yourself like at the cruise ship and do not sense any road imperfections. But more significant bumps and pits can cause flops but it is a inevitable cost of soft settings.
• Clearance. 210 mm which is more than enough for off road  and rugged terrain rides.
• Soundproofing. Perfect or almost perfect. You don`t hear outer noises and windshield wipers at all. Maybe it is a little bit of vibration from diesel engine on low speed, but it goes away at bigger speeds.

Engine/Transmission

• 2.4 Diesel engine. up to 215 hp (D5 modification and older 163 hp D3), 420Nm torque. 10 liters urban. 5 liters suburban consumption. This engine can be called ideal choice to be combined with this settings of suspension and body. It can provide smooth but confident acceleration, enough for the main purposes.
• If you are not diesel fan or just want more extreme feelings you can buy T5 gasoline engine car with 235 hp and 340 Nm of torque. It accelerates the car 0-60 for 7,8 sec and inaudible at all.

Driving pleasure

XC70 is a city family car but also it doesn`t afraid to go off road. It goes by sand perfectly, can pass mud puddles thanks to AWD mode and turned of ESP. But don`t overestimate its capabilities on the dirty trackway. The most difficult task for this car can be a hilly slopes and hillocks. It can get stuck on the downhill because of its long overhangs. Remember, this is a luxurious sedan first of all and not a real SUV.

But on the speedy highways and good road surface you`ll fell yourself a king. You can maneuvre and speed up easily, overtake confidently, accelerate smoothly and be a master of any situation. The car has superior balance of engine traction, suspension softness, supple ride and first-class handling. That`s thanks last but not least to high clearance and setting of the suspension. And this car make all this significantly better than its close relative – Volvo S80.

Modifications

• Cross Country Estate which can be taken out to the separate class.

Power Ups in Comparing to Previous Generation

• New functional infotainment center.
• New engine gamma of more ecological and economical motors.
• Better ergonomics of the cabin and trunk.

Safety

• 5 start from EuroNCAP for adult occupant safety, 4 for child safety (side blow) and 2 start for pedestrian safety.

Known Lacks

• Maybe only sufficient minus of this car is its price. The most tuned and rich package costs up to $70K. But the closest rival A6 All Road has comparatively cost and even more expensive but this car would be much more widespread if its cost would be less. Cause for $30K you can afford Skoda Scout which is for most of tasks is comparatively acceptable.

Cost of Service

• Volvo has more expensive spare parts comparatively to its rivals, but it is compensated by quality of the service itself and overall quality and durability of Volvo cars. These brand is justly said one of the most reliable car make. And look to the secondary market of used cars. You`ll hardly find a lot of XC70 on sale. People don`t want to change this model.

Owners` Opinion

XC70 owners are primarily respectable middle ageв family men who knows the sense of life. That`s why they do not spare the money for really good cars. You won`t see any negative recalls from Volvo owner, because the clients respect their favorite brand and they have all the reasons for it.

If you do appreciate ultimate comfort, passability, spciousness and maximal functionality for impressive money, you are ready to buy this car. Otherwise, don`t even consider this car.