2005 VOLVO XC70 reviews

Volvo XC70 SE Lux 2005

We bought the XC70 in June specifically for towing our 5-berth caravan and as the family runaround for my wife. Having clocked 1500 miles on our round trip to south-west France I can report that it towed very well and returned reasonable MPG. When not towing we’re doing around 35 MPG, which for 2.4 163BHP engine is good. The engine pulls like a train and sounds fab; not quite the same burble as a V8 but not at all bad. The 5 cylinder engine makes for relaxed motorway cruising and at 80 mph it feels more like 60. It is quite a sporty engine in a vehicle that doesn’t look like it would rush anywhere, a veritable wolf in sheep’s clothing. We’re yet to put it to the test in wintery conditions, but a friend of mine with an 04 XC70 was delighted with her vehicle’s performance last winter. The tiptronic gearbox is used and it is very easy to operate; if you are towing a ’van then it is a dream to have the manual override especially having moved from an auto ’box on an MPV. Overall, I very much like the XC70; it is solid, well-built and rides higher than its V70 counterpart. We were considering the XC90 but with a higher tax bracket and a heavier body to carry around (with not that much more luggage space) I think the XC70 is a great vehicle that offers 4WD stability and you don’t need a diesel tanker following you around as with the latest Discoverys, which I hear struggle to achieve 20MPG and that’s the diesel option.