1000km Road Test - Volvo V70 XC

Volvo's V70XC is big, luxurious, safe and comfortable, with plenty of practical features which make it an ideal family wagon. Four-wheel drive also gives it plenty of ability and confidence on the dirt.

Value for money

Pricing

Only one model is available, priced at $68,950 with a five-speed manual gearbox, or $68,950 with a five-speed automatic.

Warranty

Three years/unlimited kilometres.

Standard features

Standard equipment includes cruise control, automatic airconditioning, power windows, leather-wrapped wheel, trip computer, remote central locking/immobiliser security, eight-speaker audio with an in-dash single CD, 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rails and leather upholstery.

Retained value

The XC retains 72 per cent after three years according to Glass's, which is above average.

Design and function

Ergonomics

The driver's seat has heating and power adjustment. You sit much higher in the XC than in a low clearance sedan, with clear vision around the car but no idea where the bonnet ends.

The stylish, efficient dash has the main audio and airconditioning controls angled toward the driver, with audio and cruise buttons on the wheel as well.

Innovation

The integrated child boosters seats in the XC are unique. The inclusion of features such as a net between the cargo area and passenger seats, side curtain airbags and active head restraints are other examples of Volvo's innovation and attention to detail in safety.

Safety

The V70 scores four out of five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests, and the XC has a formidable array of crash protection equipment, including head restraints which automatically lift and move forward to protect the your head and neck in a rear end collision. The XC also has front and side airbags, traction control and lap/sash belts plus head restraints for all seats.

Security

Remote central locking, freewheeling door locks and an immobiliser are standard. An alarm is optional.

Comfort

Volvo does a great driver's seat. The XC's is big, deep and luxurious.

Space and practicality

The XC scores well here. The test car was fitted with an optional 40/20/40 split-rear seat, which allows the centre section to be removed. The standard 60/40 split-fold seat is a better bet if you have young kids because it has two integrated booster cushions, plus the mesh cargo barrier.

Leg room is fine for all but 185 cm-plus adults, who may find it a squeeze if similar sized occupants are up front. The seat is wide enough for three average adults to travel fairly comfortably.

The spacious load area has a low floor, high opening tailgate, roll out load cover and several extension options with the split-fold-rear seat and a fold-flat front passenger seat.

Build and finish quality

Build and finish quality is first class - even on rough dirt roads, the Volvo feels tight and solid.

On the road

Fuel efficiency

The test car used 9 litres/100 km on the open road, and 14-15 litres/100 km in town, both average.

Performance

The XC is a modified V70 2.4T wagon. Its extra four-wheel-drive hardware employs a bevel gear on the front driveshaft and a viscous coupled rear differential. There is no low range or locking differential.

When the front wheels have maximum grip, they receive 95 per cent of the drive, but up to 50 per cent can be directed to the rear wheels if the fronts are struggling for traction. Volvo's TRACS traction control system also controls wheelspin at up to 80 km/h by applying the ABS brakes to the offending wheel(s), which then directs drive to the gripping wheel(s) on the opposite side.

The five cylinder, 147 kW 2.4 litre turbo is tuned for flexibility rather than out-right performance, but hooked up to the automatic its abundant and widely spread torque drives the 1700 kg XC with ease.

The Volvo cruises effortlessly, smoothly and quietly; only under hard acceleration does the occasional vibration make itself felt.

The test car was fitted with a five-speed adaptive automatic with do-it-yourself sequential shifting and winter mode for second gear starts. The manual shifting feature is useful on bush tracks, when you sometimes need to hold a gear, but on bitumen there's little point in shifting from Drive. Shift quality is average, with some harshness when kicking down in a hurry.

Ride

Ride comfort is excellent at highway speeds and on bush tracks, but the suspension lacks some initial compliance; around the suburbs it can be a bit harsh at times.

Handling and steering

The XC is brilliant on dirt roads, where it can be driven with great security and confidence. Drive to the rear wheels engages almost imperceptibly, and always in the correct proportions to keep the car properly balanced.

When the suspension is working hard on rough, corrugated surfaces, the Volvo is remarkably stable, particularly compared with all-terrain wagons which have a much higher centre of gravity.

Generous ground clearance means that you can safely negotiate some fairly extreme tracks, though fitting the optional bash plates under the engine/transmission is good insurance.

On the highway the XC's ride height/suspension tuning compromise makes it considerably less taut and agile than a comparably priced bitumen-dedicated sedan or wagon. Float and pitch are well controlled, but the Volvo sways then settles on its suspension if you change direction quickly, and its lightly weighted steering lacks feel and precision.

That said, the XC's wide tracks, relatively low centre of gravity and finely controlled damping give it quite respectable open-road handling, and it has to be pushed hard in tight corners before it becomes unwieldy.

Braking

The ABS brakes feel a touch spongy initially, but the pedal quickly firms up and moderate pressure produces quick, stable stops. The ABS is well modulated for dirt roads.

Smoothness and quietness

Noise, vibration and harshness are suppressed to luxury sedan levels.

Summary

The Volvo V70XC, a finalist in Australia's Best Cars 2001, is good value at the price. It offers luxury car refinement, comfort, and quality, strong performance, clever, practical design, great safety credentials and secure dynamics on bitumen and dirt alike.

Test by Bill McKinnon, March 2002.

The writer of this report does not necessarily represent the views of the NRMA and this report is provided for you as an alternative to our own NRMA car reviews.

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