2008 Volvo XC70 Review

PROS
Passenger and cargo room, Versatility, Nice interior materials

CONS
Mediocre fuel economy, Bounding ride, Confusing climate and radio controls

Long purveyors safe, reliable, and understated vehicles, Volvo is trying to branch out. The Scandinavian automaker introduced the sporty C30 late last year and launches a revamped XC70 this year. XC70 was introduced in 2001 as the first luxury “crossover” utility vehicle. Truth be told, the XC was and is really a high-built version of the V70 station wagon.

The 2008 XC70 still shares chassis and engine with the V70. The new model is two inches longer in wheelbase and four inches longer overall. It has five-passenger capacity on front bucket seats and a three place rear bench seat. It competes with vehicles like the Cadillac SRX, Infiniti FX, Lexus RX, and Lincoln MKX.

New features for '08 include hill-decent control, power tailgate, blind-spot warning system, adaptive cruise control with collision warning and brake support, and a new system Volvo is calling the Personal Car Communicator. It includes keyless starting, two-way car communication, and heartbeat sensor. According to Volvo this pocket-sized control can tell the owner if the vehicle is locked or unlocked, if the alarm has been triggered, and indicate whether someone is inside the vehicle via a heartbeat sensor.

A single model is offered. It comes with all-wheel drive, a 235-horsepower inline six-cylinder engine, and a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine is all new and replaces a turbocharged five-cylinder that made 208 horsepower. Standard safety equipment includes antilock brakes, stability control, front-seat active head restraints, tire-pressure monitor, and front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. Front and rear park assist and a height-adjustable rear booster seat are optional.

Other standards include dual-zone automatic climate control, tilt-telescope steering wheel, cruise control, power driver seat, memory system, center console, fold-flat passenger seat, split-folding rear seat, heated power mirrors with integrated turn-signal indicators, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, automatic day/night rear-view mirror, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, theft-deterrent system, roof rails, front and rear fog lights, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Key options include leather upholstery, wood interior trim, sunroof, satellite radio, HID headlamps, navigation system, and rear-seat entertainment system.

Base price is $36,775 and destination charge is $745. The XC70 is built in Sweden.

Get Up and Go
Volvo doesn't quote a 0-60 mpg time for the new inline six-cylinder engine, but it's likely around 8.5 seconds. Surprisingly, that time is almost a second slower than last year's model with the turbocharged six. Still it's well within the midsize crossover norm.

Regardless of the performance numbers, the new engine is butter smooth and mates well to the automatic transmission. Acceleration is a trifle mild away from stoplights, but passing response is good. The transmission upshifts smoothly and downshifts quickly when called upon. 

Being a crossover utility wagon, the XC70 isn't intended to be an off-road champion. Rather, it's designed to be capable on dirt and snow-covered roads. The all-wheel-drive system doesn't have a low range, but with 8.3-inches of ground clearance and hill-descent control the XC70 has a leg up on most competitors.

The 2008 XC70 is EPA rated at 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. Volvo recommends premium-grade gasoline for best performance and economy. In routine suburban driving expect to average about 17 mpg. If your commute includes a fair amount of highway driving you might be able to average as high as 20 mpg.

On the Road
As far as crossover SUVs go, the XC70 offers one of the better blends of ride comfort and driving dynamics. That's not to say the ride is perfect. The suspension is very supple and does an excellent job of absorbing road imperfections. What imperfections the suspension doesn't filter the tires do. Sadly, this setup allows for a lot of secondary ride motions that induce a bit of queasiness.

This uneasiness translates into less then ideal road manners--though the XC is still more nimble than just about any crossover competitor. Body motions are more pronounced than in a typical luxury sedan. The steering is accurate, if a little slow, and requires a lot of attention at highway speeds. Brakes are strong and stopping power is impressive.

Given it's tall build and upright stance, XC70 is quieter than you'd expect. Wind noise is appreciably low at extra-legal highway speeds and the engine is gentile-quiet when cruising. Tire roar gets annoying on rough concrete surfaces, but it's not any greater than on competitors.

It's not clear if Volvo engineers wanted the XC70 to be a a sporty or comfortable SUV and that comes across in the overall balance and dynamics of the vehicle.

Behind the Wheel
If you've been in a Volvo lately, the interior of the new XC70 will look very familiar. If not, then you are in for a surprise. Though still somewhat angular in design, current Volvo interiors are contemporary and fresh. Materials and assembly are impressive given the price point and buyers can opt for a premium package that adds lots of wood and leather surfaces.

Two large dials face the driver from behind the extra-large steering wheel. There's a digital bar graph inside the tachometer representing fuel load. Climate and audio controls are placed in an upright center stack. While the design is very post-modern, it isn't all that functional. Thankfully there are large knobs for temperature, volume and tuning, but the rest of the buttons are all jumbled together, making quick operation more of a distraction than it should be.

The optional navigation-system display screen pops out of the top of the dashboard. It's a great location that allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road and doesn't distract when not in use.

Front seats are super comfy on long trips and well bolstered, holding passengers firmly in place when blasting around on twisty roads. Head and leg room abound, and the tilt-telescope steering wheel makes it easy for drivers to find a comfortable driving position. Thin roof pillars and a tall greenhouse make for excellent outward visibility.

The rear seats are also quite comfortable and offer excellent room for two adults. Sitting three across is a challenge because of the center hump. Getting in and out is a snap thanks to large door openings.

Because the XC70 is basically a high-built V70 wagon, the cargo area usefully shaped. On the downside, ultimate cargo space is about average for the class and the tailgate isn't the largest. Second-row seats fold flat and there's some extra under-floor storage if you want to keep smaller items concealed. Interior storage is highlighted by extra-large front-door map pockets, a perfect nook for a woman's purse behind the center stack, and a shallow center-console bin. A few more storage cubbies would be a nice touch.

Bottom Line
In a good way, the XC70 has a major identity crisis. It doesn't know if it wants to be a wagon or a midsize sport-utility vehicle. That allows it to offer the room and comfort of a sedan, the cargo versatility of a wagon, and the utility of an all-wheel drive. A case where being a Jack of all trades is better than being a master of one.

Compared to it's larger crossover SUV competition, the XC70 is more maneuverable while still offering similar passenger and cargo space. Nits are few, namely the bounding ride and mediocre fuel economy. The $37,000 base price is reasonable as well, given all of the standard safety and convenience features. However, buyers need to be judicious when selecting options, as it's easy to push the sticker price north of $45,000.