Volvo V70 review (2007-2016)
The Volvo V70 estate has been carrying out family load-lugging duties for over 20 years. Although it was replaced by the swisher – and considerably pricier – V90 in 2016, used V70s are still great. Benefiting from Volvo’s build quality, a well-maintained, well-loved V70 will continue to serve you until the kids fly the nest. Keep reading for our full road-tested Volvo V70 review.
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Pros
- Hugely practical
- Smooth engines
- Very reliable
Cons
- Some rivals have more boot space
- Outdated interior
Interior
Our rating: 7/10
Driving position
Getting comfortable inside the V70 is something of a breeze, thanks to a wide range of adjustment for both the driver’s seat and steering wheel.
Relatively slim front and rear pillars allow for good all-round visibility as well.
Tech and features
The Volvo V70’s roster of standard equipment is generous.
Even the entry-level Business Edition comes with sat-nav, climate control, DAB radio and Bluetooth – so you’ll be connected and entertained on those long journeys.
Move up to SE Nav trim and you get leather upholstery, an upgraded sat-nav and a power-operated tailgate.
SE Lux versions add an electrically adjustable driver’s seat and a TFT driver’s information display.
The V70’s interior is relatively spartan when compared to more modern cars.
It’s still well put together and nicely styled with an intuitive, well-finished dashboard being the icing on an already very attractive cake.
Buttons and switchgear are well-engineered and feel like they’ll stand up to family life (and pets) pretty well.
Performance
Our rating: 7/10
The V70’s uncluttered dash and luxuriously upholstered seat give a fair indication of the big Volvo’s driving experience – namely a relaxed, composed ride that is best suited to longer journeys.
Handling and ride comfort
The Volvo handles city driving fairly well. Its sheer size makes it more at home on faster, wider roads than narrow country lanes.
The V70’s well-insulated cabin does a good job of suppressing wind and engine noise, all adding to its relaxed cruising credentials.
Engines and power
Later V70s were available with diesel engines - the D3 and D4.
Both offer effortless performance and make light work of overtaking manoeuvres and rapid motorway cruising.
The V70 was also offered with a more powerful D5 diesel towards the end of its production run, which makes the car noticeably faster.
Practicality
Our rating: 8/10
The V70 is a big, wide car, so consequently, there’s a lot of space inside.
The luxurious cabin has plenty of head and legroom up front and in the rear– where three adults will be able to travel long distances in relative comfort.
Boot space
Although boot space is generous, it’s not quite on par with its nearest rivals.
There’s still ample space for several medium-sized suitcases, so family holidays in the V70 are eminently doable.
The split 40/20/40 rear seats fold flat into the floor for increased carrying capacity and flexibility.
Additionally, the low boot lip allows the V70 to swallow big, unwieldy items with considerable ease.
Storage solutions
There’s lots of interior storage as well, with cubbies in the centre console and between the front seats, and commodious door bins that will happily take larger water bottles.
Running costs
Our rating: 8/10
The V70 is an older model now, yet it still offers good value thanks to its superior build quality, practicality and generous range of standard equipment.
Fuel economy
Fuel efficiency is impressive with the D3 diesel returning 68.9mpg and the more powerful D4 delivering 65.7mpg.
CO2 figures for both are equally notable.
Reliability
Volvo has an enviable reputation for making safe, dependable cars and the brand has traditionally done well in ownership surveys.
Consequently, we don’t foresee any major problems with V70 ownership.
The verdict
Interior
7/10
Performance
7/10
Practicality
8/10
Running costs
8/10
Although it’s no longer in production, we still have a soft spot for the Volvo V70.
While its rivals may have the edge when it comes to interior space and driving dynamics, the V70’s compelling mix of comfort, practicality, refinement and economy still makes it pretty hard to beat.
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