Vehicle: 2005 Volvo XC70 with sunroof, leather seats, bi-Xenon headlights, tinted laminated water repellant side glass, premium pkg, convenience pkg and sports pkg.
Price as tested: CDN$59165

Performance: XC70 uses the same capable 2.5L straight 5, light-pressure turbocharged engine that also powered XC90, S60, V70 and S80. Light-pressure turbo is known for providing excellent bottom end torque at an usable usage and it delivers in this Volvo wagon. With 236 lb/ft of torque arrives at a lowly 1500 rpm. The response is linear and short of turbo lag. Its also surprisingly docile while pushing through the rev range despite the somewhat rough refinement at top end. Despite of my criticism of rough high rpm refinement, this engine is very suitable for XC70′s purpose as an utilitarian wagon. Matched with this engine is the smooth 5-speed Geartronic manumatic gearbox. The shifts are smooth, crisp and responisve. However, due to the nature of the gearbox’s protective nature. It doesn’t allow driver to rev into redline until it upshifts.

Handling: Both the pre-Haldex and outgoing XC70s are suffered from a system that is feels way more like a front-driver than an AWD. Thanks to Haldex’s more advanced front-drive bias AWD and Volvo’s advanced 4C suspension control, which is standard in our tester with optional sports package. It truly enhances the dynamic package. Gone is the dreadful understeer that is hard to detect when going too hot in the corners. The sport setting does transform XC70 from a vehicle with terribly low limit to higher limit, however, there is one problem. The comfort setting feels similarly when pushed but come with a more comfortable ride quality. The dynamic package continues a steering that provides excellent road feel and responsiveness. While the understeer remains, though its not as terrible as the original version. There are still plenty of body rolls when hustled through corners. Not to mentioned Volvo’s dynamic stability control, DSTC, kicks in aggressively when pushed hard.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and ABS, XC70′s brake system provides excellent pedal feel under today’s downpour. The ABS doesn’t kick in until absolutely necessary while the modulation is balanced.

Interior: Typical of Volvo interior, everything are logically layout and designed by human beings. That means stereo and auto climate control with large knobs, on the other hand, seats remain the best in the business. The instrumentation gauges are clear and analog. In the evening, the gauges are light up with a tasteful purple shade that is both unique and cool. If there is one drawback, that has to be the mickey mouse heated seat control buttons. Its located on the right side of the climate control panel, that means driver has to reach passed through the shifter until they can reach it. Otherwise, interior is finished in top-notch materials.

The back seat is equally comfortable with plenty of head and legrooms. In terms of cargo space, its also exceptional. There are plenty of cubbyholes and even a seatbelt to buckle up the cargo from sliding around. With decades of experience of producing station wagons, it doesn’t come as a surprise that XC70 is so superbly layout.

Conclusion: XC70 provides more “sport” and “utility” than most SUVs on the market. On the “sport” side, it got a torquery powerplant and decent dynamics while “utility” means tons of cargo space with comfortable interior. Along with Volvo’s usual excellent active and passive safety features, you got a very nice package.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2005 VOLVO XC70
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride.fun-to-drive: 4/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 5/5
Value-for-money: 4.5/5

Overall rating: 4.5/5