Volvo XC70 road tests and consumer car reviews

Volvo XC70 D5 Automatic SE 2011

I’ve only had this car for a few weeks, but so far I’ve no regrets. The fuel consumption is surprisingly good for such a heavy auto, 37- 41 mpg is no problem on everyday driving around rural roads. The performance is effortless and overall the car is quiet and relaxed. I do not understand other reviewers fury at road noise? I have not noticed, as yet, any problem on a wide variety of smooth and iffy road surfaces here in Suffolk. My only criticism to date is the slightly vague steering, but if you want precision etc., get a BMW, although I don’t fancy one of those in snow and ice. I am enjoying the XC70 for its attributes and I hope to have it for considerable time.

Volvo XC70 SE 2007

This vehicle is the best car I have ever owned. A pleasure to drive. Packed with features. Solid, well build and confidence inspiring plus when you need it to go, it is exhilarating. The wagon is cleverly designed with plenty of room. My kids love the booster seats. Volvo are clever people!

Volvo XC70 3.2 Le 2008

I think that the XC70 is a great car for families.

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.

Volvo XC70 XC70SE 2004

Good car for Company Director covering all of England and Wales with long commute, country living and two large dogs with luxury of Morgan 4 litre in garage plus third coupe car. I owned two previous Volvo’s in between a BMW X5, Mercedes C class estate, 2 Range Rovers and a Discovery and the XC70 (2004 - 2008). It proved the most practical of the lot. However it was off the pace with chassis development to the point of floating around bends making passengers sick. On motorways and A class roads taking me from my farmhouse near Ludlow to our country holiday home 850 miles away in Southern France; slushing down muddy lanes with me alone driving fine. But I opted for a Q7 when I retired a few months ago since it has the space for the dogs and more modern technology giving a far superior ride and engine. Pity. I liked Volvo’s.

Volvo XC70 2005

Get your wheel bearings tested. Appears to be a common fault. I have had 3 out of the 4 changed. Warranty team will try and tell you it is wear and tear!!

Responses to this review

I have a 3.5 year old (purchased from new) XC70 with only 36,000 miles on the clock and the front wheel bearings are having to be replaced. Can we expect Volvo to cover this, even though it is out of warranty? Any advice welcome - Ken Ferguson from England

Volvo XC70 D5 2008

Bought the D5 SE Lux back in March 2008 - and have since clocked up 8000miles in this faultless family wagon. It easily swallows up all the luggage that is needed for a family of four on a weekend away and carries us all in ’BMW’ like comfort with leather, Air Con, and many many more home comforts as standard. The D5 mpg is good for a car of that size and weight - 30mpg urban and 39mpg motorway. Recommended.

Volvo XC70 2003

I purchased a second hand XC70 from a Volvo dealer a few weeks ago. The vehicle was tested on what now appears to be smooth road, and no test was made on any other road surface. I am now somewhat appalled at the road noise, even a very low speeds, i.e. less than 5 miles per hour, the dealer stated that this was normal? I can’t believe that Volvo would produce a vehicle that has this very marked ’fault’, would others respond and give views.

Volvo XC70 2.4 DS SE Lux 5dr

I do some hefty motorway mileage both for work and personally so I wanted something I could do it in in real comfort and having 3 kids safety was paramount. This is a fabulous car and the safety spec is second to none. Very comfortable drive and massive amount of space. Excellent.