This crossover station wagon not only carries its own weight in cargo space and all-terrain ability alone, but it also offers a nostalgic twist with its boxy exterior reminiscent of good ole’ Volvo wagons past. The XC70 is the ideal combination of signature safety features and modern comforts and technological perks, wrapped up in savvy retro-progressive exterior styling.
Key Features
It’s hard to overlook the standard City Safety function, which causes the vehicle to brake automatically if the driver is distracted while traveling at low speeds. On the convenience front, the powered tailgate allows you to lift it easily at the touch of a button.
Changes for 2012
Volvo added three trim choices on all XC70 models in 2012 – Premier, Premier Plus, and Platinum. The Bluetooth function now offers audio streaming capability, and turbo versions can be upgraded with a software performance package called Polestar.
What We Like
The cargo room is nearly unrivaled in its class – 33 cubic feet with the seats up and 72 when they’re folded down. Pickup off the line is pretty energetic in the base engine, and the ride is smooth and quiet. The audio controls on the steering wheel are pretty great too.
What Concerns Us
Even though the XC70 has more than eight inches of ground clearance, devoted off-roaders may want to opt for something a bit more rugged. The suspension isn’t built for serious action. Passenger room is limited to five so you’ll want to look elsewhere if your family is on the larger side.
Available Models
The Volvo XC70 comes in base, or T6 versions:
Standard:
- 3.2L inline 6 with 236 lb.-ft. torque, 240 HP, and 19/25 mpg for 4WD, 18/24 mpg for AWD
T6:
- 3.0L turbocharged inline 6 with 325 lb.-ft. torque, 300 HP, and 17/23 mpg
Major Recalls
In April 2012 a recalled was issued due to potentially improperly attached wire harnesses on the front seats. This could impact the ability of the air bag to deploy as well as prevent the seatbelt from activating. Volvo issued notifications and reported that they would fix the issue at no cost.
Common Issues
There has been one report that the tire wall on the stock Continental tire shredded while the car was in motion, requiring replacement. Anecdotally, there have been multiple complaints of the windshield wipers being inadequate in moderate to heavy rain.
