The Volvo XC70 is a mid-size premium family estate car that was first introduced back in the year 2000. The second generation of the XC70 was introduced in 2007 while the post-facelift model was in production until 2016. During this time, Volvo has managed to sell a ton of these because.
The XC70 engine lineup consists of inline 5 and inline 6 engines with quite a lot of power. The XC70 is available as an AWD car. The design of the XC70 follows the classic Volvo boxy estate design that seems to have captured this era of Volvo cars and is somewhat present to this very day.
The XC70 holds a fairly respectable reliability record while some model years are worse than others. The most common XC70 issues are associated with airbags, seat belts, engine cooling, drivetrain issues, and transmission issues.
Value-wise, the XC70 is now a really attainable car and is as such a very popular used family car. The XC70 is also a really practical car thanks to a large seating space and an even greater seating space. All in all, the XC70 is indeed a good car, especially the newer post-facelift model.
Volvo XC70 – The powertrain
The 1st gen Volvo XC70 engine lineup consists out of 2.5L inline 5-cylinder engines with either 200 or 210hp. The XC70 is also available in two diesel inline-5 variants that offer either 163hp or 185hp. The XC70 is an AWD car which means that the current V90 Cross Country is the spiritual successor to the XC70.
The second generation of the XC70 offers 3.0L 6-cylinder engines with 305hp, an automatic gearbox, and AWD. The 2nd gen XC70 also comes in many diesel variants with power ranging from 163hp all the way up to 200hp. These are also AWD and tend to be mated to an automatic gearbox.
The latest post-facelift XC70 offers the very same engines as the pre-facelift ones, but with the added benefit of being able to return up to 25MPG. All XC70 engines seem to be reliable and really sophisticated which means that the XC70 feels brisk and comfortable to drive.
Volvo XC70 – Design and chassis
The Volvo XC70 utilizes a classic Volvo boxy estate design, especially the 1st generation model. Some say that the Volvo XC70 looks like a more modern version of the legendary Volvo 740 estate. Interior-wise, the latest XC70 looks decent while the earlier models do feel a tad bit dated these days.
The XC70 is designed for mild off-road use as well which means that it rivals the likes of the Audi A6 Allroad. This is rather apparent the moment you lay your eyes on the XC70 as it comes with a slightly raised up suspension and additional bracing to protect the car from driving off the beaten path.
The suspension and chassis design of the XC70 is primarily focused on a comfortable ride which means that the XC70 is no sports car. Even though some models do offer upwards of 300hp, this does not make the car able to go fast through the corners.
Volvo XC70 – Reliability and common issues
As mentioned in the beginning, the XC70 is a reliable car as a whole, especially the latest model which manages to be the most reliable one of the lot. However, this does not mean that the XC70 is completely without fault as the most common XC70 issues are associated with the transmission, the drivetrain, the seat belts, airbags, and the cooling system.
All in all, if you maintain the XC70, it is easily going to be able to last hundreds of thousands of miles. Some of these issues are more severe than others but can be resolved if you notice them early on.
Volvo XC70 – Value and practicality
The average cost of a used Volvo XC70 is now somewhere around $20,000 for the newer models. However, you can find these hovering around the $10,000 mark if you are willing to risk it with higher mileage and older models.
Practicality-wise, the XC70 is as good as an estate can be. Thanks to a fairly long body, the XC70 is able to pack up to five adults while the cargo space can pack even more than that. Visibility is also great and so is the family-friendly nature the XC70 offers.
FAQ Section
How much does it cost to maintain the Volvo XC70?
According to many online sources, the XC70 costs around $800 per year on maintenance and repair costs. These tend to warry depending on the state of the car, the model year, the mileage, and the equipment list. All in all, the XC70 seems to be fairly decent when it comes to reliability which means that maintenance shouldn’t be too big of an issue.
Earlier XC70 models are known to cost more to maintain because they are more prone to breaking down. Either way, the $800 mark is a justifiable price considering that the XC70 is a relatively modern large executive family estate car.
How long can a Volvo XC70 last?
The Volvo XC70 is known to last a few hundred thousand miles without any major issues as it is a reliable car as a whole. Some sources state that the XC70 can comfortably last around 200,000 miles without needing any major overhauls while others believe that the XC70 can last a lot longer than that.
We will have to wait and see if the XC70 truly is as long-lasting as some of the earlier Volvo estate cars, but it’s safe to say that there are quite a few owners out there that are more than happy to tell the world that their XC70 models have successfully crossed the 500k mile mark.
Is the Volvo XC70 safe?
The latest Volvo XC70 is indeed a really safe car as is the case with every modern-day Volvo. However, the XC70 is known to suffer from the seatbelt and airbag-related issues which do hamper the image quite a bit. Volvo has even issued a recall for both of these and if you find an XC70 with both of these fixed, you should not worry about safety.
All in all, the XC70 is a safe car and that is why it has been a dependable choice for so many families around the world.
