For decades Volvo wagons carted artists, surfers, road warriors and tweed-coated professors in box shaped practicality and trucklike durability. Then “wagon” became a dirty word and Volvo, among others, discovered you could lift one wagon a couple of inches, cover liberally in plastic cladding for would-be explorers to fend off shopping carts and presto, a wagon by any other name. In this case named XC70 (XC for cross country), it’s the best wagon Volvo brings to the U.S.
Everything inside, many of the mechanicals and most of the exterior is shared with a V70 wagon, just higher and sporting easily scratched imitation skid-plates. Audi does the same thing with their Allroad, an A4 wagon with a lift and plastic; so does Subaru.
An XC70 comes in front-wheel drive with a 240-horsepower 3.2-liter inline-six engine or all-wheel drive with either the 3.2-liter engine or 300-hp 3.0-liter turbo (T6) power; both engines sit sideways underhood so you get the inherent smoothness of an inline six and more compact packaging of a V-6. Steroids by Polestar bump T6 output to 325 horsepower over a wider rev band and torque to 355 lb-ft from 325; essentially a $1,495 premium-fuel tune the Polestar upgrade has no effect on EPA ratings or the long warranty.
Crisp accelerator response and effortless mid-range thrust provides easy overtaking on mountain highways; the quicker 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds is appreciated at metered on-ramps but it keeps pulling like a freight train well into triple digits. At a relaxed pace it purrs along like any other 70 and while all-wheel drive, 4,300 pounds and big power don’t equal fuel economy, I bested EPA ratings (17/22) by 2 to 4 miles per gallon everywhere.
An XC copes very well with most road surfaces, paved and graded, a solid, quiet cruiser for road trips or endless rail crossings and intersection dips. The impression of solidity is backed up by door apertures and floor shapes hiding reinforcements everywhere, a reassuring door thud and multilevel genuine metal tie-down points in the well-detailed cargo area.
The car is reasonably maneuverable aided by excellent outward visibility and a tighter turning radius than some Volvos two feet shorter. Steering has some feel to it, although it’s occasionally artificial, like you’re tugging against a rubber band going off center, and feedback is appropriate for the car. You might notice side-to-side or front/rear weight transfer more than in a wagon because there’s more weight up higher, but it’s far better than the average crossover. From it’s transparent-to-the-driver all-wheel drive and all-season tires to full-automatic braking in impending collision or pedestrian detection, the XC70 is made to inspire confidence rather than set records.
Cargo area with the back seat up is more than 30 cubic feet, shaming many SUVs and the bogey Audi Allroad. Easily flatten the three rear seat sections and the space expands to 72 cubic feet, again much more than an Allroad, and the near-vertical hatch is superior for bulky objects.
New aluminum console trim frames a plank of walnut, very attractive and good at dazzling front occupants in sunlight. Also new are a 7-inch screen high on the dash, optional 650-watt 12-speaker sound system (the standard piece is very good), Bluetooth, Sirius and HD radio, and the City Safety system that helps inattentive drivers avoid driving into people or stopped cars.
A very pleasant cabin in soft materials at every touch point is easily on par for fit and finish with Lexus or Audi, and the dark brown and tan décor (sandstone over espresso) has silky leather on the seat edges with heavier, more textured leather on center sections. Storage of various sizes is all over and logical controls illustrate the simplicity thought in to the entire cabin.
Front seat room is very good, aided by full-power seats and a steering column with lots of adjustment. Rear seat space is a little tighter, fine for every adult we tried but more likely built with kids in kind; you can even get built-in booster seats but save the money and padding if your brood’s already beyond them.
Cargo area with the back seat up is more than 30 cubic feet, shaming many SUVs and the bogey Audi Allroad. Easily flatten the three rear seat sections and the space expands to 72 cubic feet, again much more than an Allroad, and the near-vertical hatch is superior for bulky objects. There’s also a handy segmented tray under the floor, grocery bag wall to keep them contained within easy reach of the power hatch, and a cargo cover at window height for a superb view rearward. The XC70 can even tow more than many SUVs and crossovers, with a 3,300-pound limit regardless of engine.
A very pleasant cabin in soft materials at every touch point is easily on par for fit and finish with Lexus or Audi, and the dark brown and tan décor (sandstone over espresso) has silky leather on the seat edges with heavier, more textured leather on center sections. Storage of various sizes is all over and logical controls illustrate the simplicity thought in to the entire cabin.
An XC70 3.2 front-wheel drive starts at $33,000, with all the space and safety of any XC. A T6 all-wheel drive runs from $39,100, and this Premier Plus adds $1,850 and a power hatch, keyless drive, front and rear park assist and a slew of conveniences. A Technology package with adaptive cruise control, collision warning and full-auto braking, active high beams, lane departure warning and distance alert is $2,100, while the better-than-average blind spot monitor is a stand-alone $700 option. Other upgrades include rain-sensing wipers, active bi-xenon headlamps, booster seats, metallic paint, and heated windshield, headlight washers and four seats. A Platinum model comes with navigation, upgraded sound system and rear camera.
The primary competitor Allroad uses an eight-speed automatic and 400 pounds less weight to reach 60 mph a bumper earlier, and gets better EPA numbers, but loaded at highway speeds, the XC70’s 114-hp advantage will be obvious. The XC has the clear edge in cargo space — you’d buy a sedan if this wasn’t important — and towing capacity, and when similarly equipped costs no more.
An XC70 will often make your life easier, has an enviable safety record and offers all-wheel drive if you really need it. In T6 form, even your enthusiast spouse will happily do their wheel time on road trips.
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