2008 Volvo V70 Review

Thinking Inside the Box

The redesigned Volvo V70 station wagon is more powerful and family-friendly than before.

While station wagons have long been supplanted by minivans and sport utility vehicles as the transportation of choice for families, they haven’t gone away altogether. Most European brands continue to offer them as sportier, but slightly less practical alternatives to SUVs. The latest generation of the midsize Volvo V70 wagon debuted for the 2008 model year, adding more dynamic exterior styling, a stylish interior, and added power and refinement.

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The Volvo V70 shares platforms and components with the S80 sedan; if you want a version that comes with all-wheel drive and is tricked out to look more like an SUV, the XC70 may be for you.

A standard 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine gets decent fuel economy, operates smoothly, and should be sufficiently powerful for most buyers. A six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission is the only available transmission; it includes a manual-shift function and the fact that it has six gears, instead of four or five, helps both fuel economy anad acceleration.

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The Volvo V70 has a smooth and controlled ride with a sporty feel that makes it more enjoyable to drive than most minivans and SUVs. Volvo’s Dynamic Stability Traction Control system is standard and helps keep the vehicle's wheels from spinning and prevents a loss of control during emergency maneuvers. A sophisticated four-wheel antilock disc brake system enable secure stopping power.

As is the automaker’s tradition, the Volvo V70 offers a wide array of safety features, including front-side and side-curtain airbags and whiplash-preventing front headrests. Even pedestrians and cyclist are protected by an energy-absorbing hood and a front-end structure that features softer surfaces and a less intrusive bumper.

• Volvo V70 Vehicle Summary

The optional Collision Warning with Brake Support system works in tandem with adaptive cruise control and warns the driver if the V70 is closing in too quickly on another vehicle or an obstruction; if it calculates that a collision is possible, the system will automatically move the brake pads up against the discs and prepare full braking pressure in anticipation of a panic stop.

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The Volvo V70’s five-passenger cabin is spacious and comfortable, with a slim center console and straightforward controls. A 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench seat affords cargo-carrying flexibility. A sliding cargo floor makes loading and unloading easier. Available integrated rear child booster seats are height adjustable to accommodate growing kids and give smaller ones a look out the window.