2008 Volvo V70 Reviews

Before the first decade of the 21 century was up, there was evidence the cult of the SUV was well and truly gathering pace. Conventional sedans, hatchbacks and even station wagons were falling victim to the almighty SUV, and even station wagon stalwarts like Volvo were revisiting their future model plans.Which is why diverse Volvo V70 station wagon line-up of previous generations was pared back to just a single model – dubbed T6 AWD - for the 2008 launch of the third-gen V70. Gone were the cooking models and five-cylinder variants with and without turbochargers and in was a high-spec turbocharged six-cylinder V70 with all-wheel drive.In a packaging sense, this was still very much a classic Volvo wagon with a boxy outline and lots of room inside relative to its footprint. But the sharp-edged look of previous V70s was softened a little.And where did the previous V70’s customers go for their next Volvo station wagon? To the new XC70, of course, with its jacked-up ride height, tacked on wheel arch extensions, range of trim and driveline options (including a then-sexy turbo-diesel option) and SUV persona.Which left the V70 with its more conventional looks and stance as some kind of orphan. Thing is, it was probably the better of the two Volvos to drive, with better suspension control and the lower ride height making it more dynamic.A facelift in 2010 brought a revised engine with slightly more power and a claim of better fuel efficiency.In an overall sense, the V70 was a great car. It typified Volvo’s approach to sensible car-making at a time when the company was being pushed into the fashion-driven SUV world. But when you consider that even a Volvo SUV was never going to be an off-road vehicle, the plane-Jane V70 is now the smarter buy.With a very similar all-wheel drive system to the XC70, the V70 is all but as competent on slippery or loose surfaces. And nobody has ever complained about the versatility or practicality of a Volvo two-box wagon.Volvo has made its name on reliability, but like any modern car, increasing complexity can take its toll on this aspect. Because of that, Volvo’s once rock-solid reputation for going the distance had faded a little by the time the V70 came along, and it’s fair to say overall reliability was no longer any better than most other mass-market European brands.Volvo’s simpler (non-turbocharged, front-wheel drive) designs were much less likely to give trouble; proof that complex machinery is often more highly strung.The biggest reliability glitch experienced by the V70 was a tendency for some engines to consume excess oil. In the worst cases, entire engines were being replaced under warranty, and you’d like to think any V70s still out there have been fixed or never had the problem in the first place. A compression check prior to purchase would still be a good idea, however.Some V70s also suffered from poor shift quality in the transmission, and this was sometimes traced back to dirty fluid or a transmission that required a reflash. In a smaller number of cases, the clutches inside the transmission were subject to premature wear.Like any high-performance turbocharged engine, the turbo unit can have a finite lifespan and is almost considered a consumable item. Allow for this in your budget. The same goes for the individual ignition coils which can break down over time, and the V70 seems pretty hard on suspension bushes (probably a function of its 1800-plus kilo kerb mass) and all-wheel drive loads. Cars like this are also hard on brakes, but in the Volvo’s case, the advice is to replace not just the brake pads but also the rotors at the same time. This can get pretty expensive.Make sure all the interior electronics work properly, too. If these are on the blink, you could be chasing intermittent problems for a long time.Despite Volvo’s reputation for building safe cars, it’s interesting to note the V70 was recalled on a couple of major safety fronts over the years. A batch of cars built in 2008 was recalled to check the operation of the side-airbag system, while some cars built in 2010 and 2011 were recalled to check the front airbag deployment.Long after the third-gen V70 was discontinued, a recall notice was also issued to check for front seat belt mounts (cables) that could fray and fail over time.The V70 was also recalled to check cooling fan and fuel-pump operation, and you can check out these recalls in detail by visiting: https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/.Early-build cars were the ones most likely to suffer from reliability issues, so the later the build-date, the better the car is likely to be now.The oil burning problems were reportedly solved by the time the 2012 model landed, so a car with an earlier build date is the one to avoid.People don’t tend to buy Volvo station wagons to look at them in the driveway. So, it’s not uncommon to see examples with 250,000km or even more showing. With proper servicing, this should not signal the end of the vehicle’s useful life, but you’d need to see proof of the correct servicing before handing over the money.The post-facelift version of the V70 had more power from the same engine, so it’s probably the one to choose. Beyond that, there’s not much of a decision to be made as the V70 was only available in one trim level and specification (T6 AWD).If you’re looking for more options in the same package, perhaps look at the previous model (the second-gen V7 from 2000 to 2007) which had a choice of petrol engine outputs, two- or four-wheel drive layouts and different trim levels to suit different budgets. Failing that, the XC70 that sold alongside the third-gen V70 offers turbo-diesel power.Roughies with really high mileage are around for less than $10,000 now, but there’s probably better value in spending closer to the low-teens for something with a service record and more moderate kilometres on board.Volvo is a huge global brand and its cars are sold around the world. So, even if you are struggling to find a part in Australia (unlikely) you can always cast the (inter)net wider and shop overseas for cheaper parts.Be wary of seller you aren’t familiar with, and check out buyer feedback to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable supplier.While earlier versions of the V70 were decent sellers for Volvo in Australia, this version was a pretty slow mover in the showroom. It’s unlikely more than a few hundred were sold which is why they’re now hard to find second-hand.

Volvo's latest V70 plays to the marque's patented strengths: bank vault safety and bank vault looks.

And it's reassuring to know you are cocooned in one of the safest vehicles in the world.Volvo has made the third-generation V70 wagon an even safer proposition. There is greater side protection and curtain airbags extend a further 60mm to cover smaller passengers in the rear seat.It is a departure from previous models in that it gains a six-cylinder engine for the first time and is enhanced with more luxury features. Performance and sophistication were the goals for the V70 that is powered by a fresh 3-litre V6 boosted by a twin-scroll turbo.For those who want to tow, there is a generous 400Nm available across the 1500rpm-4800rpm rev range.There is spirited performance in a competent chassis which rides, steers and handles diligently.In fact, you can tailor the car to steer, handle and ride to suit individual tastes.There is the Four-C continuously controlled chassis as standard where you can set the damping to three settings — comfort, sport and advanced.For a $750 premium you can add the adjustable power steering that can be set to one of three levels — low, medium and high. It works at low speeds such as in parking areas where assistance is most needed.On the highway the steering feels quite neutral and the ride, even in Advanced mode for better body control and firmer damping, is reasonably compliant.The clarity and quality of the interior layout and trim, red leather in the ilk of an Italian sports car rather than a Swedish wagon, is top shelf and up there with the highly praised Audi architecture.The seats are a hallmark, one of Volvo's strong points, where it is easy to consider occupying a pew on an inter-city haul or a long driving holiday.On the launch drive from Adelaide, through the hills and down to Goolwa and back, the fuel consumption was 12.6 litres/100km, overshooting the factory claim of 11.3.The V70 feels bulky, a substantial vehicle in mass and on-road presence.There's a long list of standard features although the list of options runs up a princely sum.Among the items you can add are ventilated seats ($3200), electric sunroof ($2150), satellite navigation ($3950) and reverse camera ($1200), adaptive cruise control and collision warning with auto brake ($3950), integrated telephone ($2900) and Blind Spot Information ($1200).This is a fine package that successfully harnesses performance, luxury, packaging and safety.Just as BMW are the kings of the compact premium sedan genre, Volvo is the king of the wagon market.The V70, while initially it may be seen as a low volume seller, is ready to catch any fall-out from the luxury SUV crowd.A word of warning — don't lose your Personal Car Communicator (the key) — it's at least $270 to replace.

It was not long ago that Volvo had the prestige wagon market sewn up. Before 2000, Volvo V70 wagon sales accounted for a sizeable slice of Volvo Cars Australia's local volume. But as carmakers moved away from traditional wagons and into pseudo off-roaders, Volvo also chased a new market.It gave consumers the five-seater XC70 and seven-seater XC90, leaving the V70 trailing in the sales stakes.In launching its new V70 T6 AWD, Volvo Cars Australia managing director, Alan Desselss, says the company has tried to reposition the new V70 away from its traditional family wagon role and present it more as a high-end alternative to large off-roaders.The V70 has the same all-wheel-drive system as the XC70 but will be sold as one model only, the turbo-charged 3.0-litre T6. Positioning the V70 into the local line-up has been a challenge, Desselss says. Because of the success of the XC70 and XC90, the company had toyed with the idea that the V70 may not be needed.“But from our customer feedback, people wanted this car,” he says.“We've positioned the V70 above the XC range for the family buyer who wants more performance and luxury.”Desselss says the V70 is a relevant model, despite a conservative sales forecast of just 120 a year.The V70 is based on the S80 sedan, the petrol 3.0-litre T6 mated to a six-speed sequential 'Geartronic' automatic driving all four wheels.The six-cylinder sits sideways in the engine bay and the location of the airconditioning compressor and power steering pump behind the engine in the space above the gearbox provides a compact format.The turbo is a twin-scroll device that allows quick response low-down in the rev-range and excellent mid-range overtaking ability. Desselss says there are no plans at this stage for other petrol engines, or even a turbo-diesel engine, for the V70.“I can't imagine there would be a demand for a V70 diesel,” he says.With pricing set at $67,950 the V70 sits fractionally above the XC70 D5 LE but the Volvo boss says it will attract a different type of buyer.As expected of a Volvo there is a raft of passive and active safety equipment as well as the expected luxury features such leather, heated front seats, climate control, auto dimming rearview mirror, 18-inch alloys, automatic tailgate, active bi-Xenon headlights and six-stacker CD stereo.The T6 is fitted with Volvo's active chassis technology, called Four-C.This is essentially an active suspension system that has three-mode damper settings — comfort, sport or advanced. The system also resists a tendency to squat, dip or roll under hard acceleration, hard braking or emergency steering manoeuvres.Speed-dependent power steering, meanwhile, is an option, while the power steering effort has three levels of assistance — low, medium and high. The luggage area is a work of art.There is 555 litres of space with the rear seats in place.That's 70 litres more than the previous generation V70, adjustable anchorage points on aluminium rails and a 40/20/40 split-rear seatback.The V70 and XC70 actually share much in styling terms.But the V70 looses all of the plastic cladding, high-riding attitude and looks more conventional. Only the stylish 18-inch alloys and AWD badge on the back give a hint of the car's performance.The deep rear glass echoes the C30 hatch and allows excellent rear visibility when reversing. A reversing camera, combined with parking sensors are available as an option.One thing that strikes you about all Volvos is the integrity and design sophistication of the cars.The doors shut with a Volvo thunk, the quality and presentation of the interior equals the best out of Germany and ergonomics are spot on.All-wheel-drive and little things such as the power tailgate, 40/20/40 split rear seatbacks and the thought put into the versatility of the luggage area makes you wonder why anyone would bother with a gas-guzzling SUV. And there are no complaints about the turbocharged 3.0-litre six either. Snapshot Volvo V70 T6 AWDPrice: $67,950Engine: 3L/6-cylinder 210kW/400NmTransmission: 6-speed Geartronic automatic 0-100km/h: 7.2 secondsEconomy: 11.3L/100km claimed