Review: Volvo XC70 (2007 – 2016)

Volvo XC70 (2007 – 2016): At A Glance

• Insurance Groups are between 22–40
• On average it achieves 80% of the official MPG figure

Volvo XC70 (2007 – 2016): What's It Like Inside?

• Boot space is 575–1600 litres

Dimensions
Length	4823–4838 mm
Width	1861–2119 mm
Height	1547–1604 mm
Wheelbase	2815–2816 mm
Full specifications

Quality inside the XC70 is good an all the controls are all well placed and easy to navigate, particularly the funky chrome ventilation buttons that glow green at night. Overall the minimalist design is much easier on the eye than many other cars of this size.

There are a few bugbears though. The electric handbrake is hidden away by the drivers’ right knee and the key slot is mounted above the air vents, so anything attached knocks against the metal trim.

The driving position is a little high too, while the seats, although supple and comfortable, don’t offer the enough support, so it feels as though you are sitting on them rather than in them.

The soft leather is good for rear passengers though and makes the Volvo more cosseting on long journeys, however there’s less legroom than other estate cars this size.

The boot’s overall capacity is also smaller than you'd expect from a Volvo but the XC70 does benefit from a lower bumper lip and longer loadspace – plus the rear seats fold completely flat.

Versatility is the key to these cars and the Volvo excels when it comes to offering different options for load lugging. There are aluminium rails with moveable anchorage points while a £100 optional load protection net and this £173 steel dog guard are also available.

What's the Volvo XC70 (2007 – 2016) like to drive?

• Engines range from 1.6D DRIVe to 3.4
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 27–51 mpg

Owners of the previous generation XC70 will be impressed by the increase in space and also by the driving dynamics. The new model has a stiffer chassis and improved handling and the soft suspension means the ride is very comfortable – it deals with uneven surfaces better than the standard V70.

However it never feels quite as composed as you'd expect and over bumps it feels somewhat unsettled. It turns in well thanks to the all wheel drive set-up, but you’re more aware of the increased ride height than in something like an Audi A6 allroad and with non-adjustable suspension the ride can’t be lowered.

The steering also lacks feel and suffers a little from kickback when cornering on rough surfaces so it never feels as surefooted as it should.

If you do venture onto rougher terrain the Volvo is a good choice though. With 210mm of ground clearance it instils plenty of confidence when tackling rock strewn-tracks and rutted paths. It’s also fitted with Hill Descent Control.

The system, which is borrowed from Land Rover, controls the car’s speed on inclines at 6mph. It also works in reverse and is available on both manual and automatic versions.

The D5 five-cylinder engine is the pick of the range. It has good mid-range punch, although does lack urgency at low revs and can sound a little lumpy under load. The six-speed automatic gearbox isn’t quite as slick either and needs more provocation in order to kickdown.

Engine	MPG	0-62	CO2
1.6D DRIVe	63 mpg	12.8 s	119 g/km
2.4D DRIVe	47 mpg	9.6 s	159 g/km
D3 DRIVe Start/Stop	51 mpg	10.2 s	144 g/km
D3 Geartronic Start/Stop	42–44 mpg	10.2 s	169–179 g/km
D3 Start/Stop	50 mpg	10.2 s	149 g/km
D4	53–64 mpg	8.3–10.4 s	115–139 g/km
D4 AWD	54 mpg	9.2 s	137 g/km
D4 AWD Geartronic	49 mpg	9.0–9.5 s	153 g/km
D4 Geartronic	44–59 mpg	8.3–10.8 s	127–169 g/km
D5	38–40 mpg	8.4–9.3 s	186–199 g/km
D5 AWD	53 mpg	8.0 s	139 g/km
D5 AWD Geartronic	44–49 mpg	7.8–8.3 s	130–169 g/km
D5 Geartronic Start/Stop	42–44 mpg	8.3 s	169–179 g/km
D5 Start/Stop	50–53 mpg	8.0 s	139–149 g/km
T6 4WD Geartronic	27 mpg	6.9 s	248 g/km
T6 Geartronic	27 mpg	6.9–7.4 s	248 g/km

Real MPG average for a Volvo XC70 (2007 – 2016)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

What have we been asked about the Volvo XC70 (2007 – 2016)?

Every day we're asked hundreds of questions from car buyers and owners through Ask Honest John. Our team of experts, including the nation's favourite motoring agony uncle - Honest John himself - answer queries and conudrums ranging from what car to buy to how to care for it as an owner. If you could do with a spot of friendly advice before buying you're next car, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.