Volvo is popularly known for its safe cars. Unfortunately, this brand is also known for having some of the least reliable cars. The XC70 is among the least reliable cars ever made by Volvo. But why did Volvo stop making the XC70 station wagon?
Volvo stopped making the Volvo XC70 because competitor models like the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen and Subaru Outback were more affordable. As a result, the sales were quite lower than what Volvo expected. Besides, the XC70 was also among the least reliable station wagons at that time.
Aside from being less reliable, the Volvo XC70 had poor fuel economy, and awkward handling when compared to its competitors. Overall, this car was well-built for all terrains. Additionally, it was a refined ride with a lot of space and it was attractive. Besides, the 18-inch alloy wheels gave it a sporty look.
Features of the Volvo XC70
The Volvo XC70 was introduced to the market in late 1996. Volvo introduced three model ranges, which include Volvo S70, V70, and V70. The S70 was a sedan, while the V70 was a station wagon. In 2002, the V70 XC cross country version changed its name to XC70.
Like its competitors, the XC70 was built for all terrains with a rugged all-wheel-drive system. The 5-door station wagon was beautifully designed and very appealing to the eye. On top of that, it has a luxurious interior, similar to other high-end Volvo models.
What’s more, this car came with a 5-cylinder in-line 2, 461 cc turbo diesel engine. On top of that, it had a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission with an option of FWD or AWD systems. And with a wheelbase of about 267cm, this car was somewhat long.
When it comes to safety, the Volvo XC70 was no doubt one of the safest station wagons on the road. It was equipped with city safety, blind spot, rear child safety locks, low tire pressure warning, stability control, traction control, lane departure warning, and backup camera.
Was the last generation Volvo XC70 up to the competition?
Despite being stopped permanently, the Volvo XC70 was a nice car with excellent features. For instance, the 2016 Volvo XC70 came in three different trims levels. These are the T5, T5 Premier, and T5 Platinum. The base model was the T5, which had basic features.
The Volvo XC7 T5 came with a 7-inch screen for the infotainment system, cruise control, Bluetooth, low-speed automatic emergency braking, Wi-Fi, heated front seats, and satellite radio. Unlike the other higher-end trims, this base model was quite affordable.
Buyers interested in a more luxurious ride opted for the T5 premier with several added features. These include a moonroof, leather upholstery, and navigation. On the contrary, the T5 Platinum was even more luxurious than the T5 Premier. This trim added features like a premium Harman Kardon system, adaptive headlights, and blind-spot monitoring.
Apart from offering these excellent trims, Volvo also provided two packages: the Proximity package and the technology package. The proximity package features proximity keyless entry, a power tailgate, and a rearview camera. On the other hand, the technology package provided a variety of active safety features.
Apart from the competition offering better and affordable vehicles, the Volvo XC70 had many features that buyers love in station wagons. Nonetheless, with a starting price of about $39,500 for the base model, this car was quite expensive. The T5 Platinum had a starting price of about $48,100.
Which car replaced the Volvo XC70 station wagon?
After being discontinued in 2016, Volvo introduced a new car, the Volvo V90 SUV. Despite the V90 being introduced in the same year that the XC70 was discontinued, it never replaced the former. In 2017, Volvo introduced a new station wagon cross country, known as Volvo V90 Cross Country wagon. This is the car that replaced the XC70.
The Volvo V90 Cross Country Wagon was designed to breach the gap between the V90 Wagon and the V90 SUV. Just like the XC70, the V90 Cross Country Wagon was built to thrive on all terrains. However, it’s quite larger than the discontinued XC70.
Features of the V90 Cross Country
Unlike its predecessor, the Volvo V90 is magnificently constructed with a lovely design and finish. On top of that, it comes with a ton of luxury features and it’s one of the best station wagons on the market. Besides, it can cruise on all terrains with a lot of ease.
The Volvo V90 Cross Country boasts an AWD system with a ground clearance of 204mm. This shows that you won’t have trouble when you’re off-road. Additionally, it has an outstanding towing capacity for its size of 2,400kg. What’s more, it’s technologically advanced with features like copious driver assist and table-like infotainment touchscreen.
But with all the glamor and luxury, this car doesn’t come cheap. You will have to fork out about $50,000 for its 2021 model. Considering the features that you get, it’s worth every coin spent on it.
Read more about common XC70 problems.
FAQ
Are used Volvo XC70 good cars?
Yes, used Volvo XC70 is a good used car. Nevertheless, you will have to maintain it properly to avoid having frequent issues. Also, before you buy this car, ensure that the owner maintained it properly so that it does not cause you a lot of headaches.
Is it expensive to maintain a Volvo?
Yes, maintaining a Volvo is very expensive. On average, you may have to spend over $12,000 annually to maintain your Volvo. However, this is slightly cheaper compared to maintaining a Mercedes with an annual cost of $12,900, and a BMW with an annual cost of $17,800.
How many miles will a Volvo last?
No matter what type of car you drive, its durability is usually determined by how well you maintain it. With that said, a Volvo that is taken care of properly will last over 20 years or more than 200,000 miles. Nonetheless, if you drive a more reliable Volvo model, you can even hit over 300,000 miles.
Conclusion
The main reason why Volvo stopped making the Volvo XC70 was because of stiff competition from competitor station wagons like the Subaru Outback and Volkswagen Golf SportWagen. Unlike the Volvo XC70, these two station Wagons were more reliable with better handling.
However, Volvo has come up with the Volvo V90 Cross Country Wagon as a replacement for the XC70 Wagon. Even though this car still lags in terms of reliability, it’s slightly better and more spacious than the XC70.