Vehicle: 2008 Volvo XC70 with Premium Pkg, Luxury Pkg 2 and Convenience Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$55410

Performance: Volvo decided to replace XC70’s torquery light-pressure 2.5T with the normally aspirated 3.2 liter straight-6. Although 235hp and 236 lb/ft of torque sound like a healthy does of numbers, they don’t deliver in real life. When you consider its weighting in at close to 4100 pounds, it doesn’t help much neither. The whole car feels overwrought and overweight whenever it needs to accelerate, that translate into a rough and noisy ride. This straight-6 also speaks a notorious issue for this chassis, which we will be mentioned in the latter article. If you are going to buy an XC70, wait for the T6, which is a turbo 3.0 liter with 282hp and 295 lb/ft of torque. This engine will really transform an XC70 into a much better car, as it will provide the performance that it really needs it. As for the 6-speed Geartronic gearbox, it performs what it should be. At least the manumatic encourages manual shifting when the driver has the urge for more power.

Handling: Volvo is never known for engineered a truly capable handlers, as we have witnessed in all of their products. The same goes for the XC70. This generation of XC70 and V70 share the same chassis as S80 instead of S60, as latter’s future remains unknown at this stage. Sharing the same chassis as S80, combines with the straight-6 on a front-drive based vehicle, has a huge dynamic issue. If you are always drive on a wide sketch of road without a need to make a quick U-turn, you probably will consider it as an non-issue. But you will find out once in a parking lot and need a swift move out of a spot, you are going to be in big trouble. XC70, as with the S80, needs 3 lock-to-lock for a proper U-turn due to its engine placement and choice. Imagine all those frustrations when you need a swift move into a parking spot when there is a huge back-up in a shopping mall!

Its not XC70 is a crossover without merits. The ride is comfortable and supple, it also absorbs all the bumps and roughness with ease. When the 4C sets to comfort setting, it truly rides like a luxury car with a sense of AWD security. XC70’s AWD is a Haldex unit, as it only performs its trick when the wheels detect slippage. Its basically a front driver until an offending wheel starts to slip, then the whole system kicks in. The steering is precise and responsive, giving out enough information. There are plenty of understeer and body rolls, as one expected from a Volvo. Its Dynamic Stability and Traction Control or DSTC, is a more instrusive type, as Volvo is a safety-first company. You are very unlikely to lose control in this XC, thanks to its low limitations and level of instrusiveness of the stability control. Combined with the AWD, it makes XC70 a secure and safe cruiser to your nearest ski resort.

Brakes: The brake assist in XC70 performs surprisingly well under our usual February slush and icy conditions. Its ABS acts at the right time at the right place, while braking feel is up to Volvo’s usual standards.

Interior: Volvo’s floating console continues to transform into all of their latest models, XC70 is no exception. All the climate control and stereo are placed ergonomically, as we all expect from Volvo. The knobs are large and illuminated. The interior is very comfortable, thanks to those well-lined leather seats. Instrumentation gauges are clear and analog.

However, the floating console continues to have some design deficit. Even though there are plenty of storage space on the center console. If you need to put small items at the back of the floating console, one has to far reach to get those out. That is ironic for a company which put driver’s safety above everything else. Another pet peeve is the material uses for the leather. Even though its comfortable and supportive, its downright slippery even when driving normally. A nightmare when its time to have fun in the corners due to its level of smoothness. A little bit of roughness on the surface would help a whole lot.

As for storage space at the cargo area, XC70 is unbeatable, as Volvo is the expert when designing a versatile wagon. There are cubbyholes at the bottom, on the side and just about everywhere. The liftover is low and the maximum height for the hatch can fit anyone as tall as 6 feet.

Conclusion: When it comes to versatility, XC70 is really hard-to-beat as it provides amazing amount of passenger and cargo space. On the other hand, its also a safe vehicle thanks to the level of passive safety standards. Unfortunately, its lack of pace is a huge disappointment. The serious lack of punch and nimbleness will put this practical wagon out of the shopping list of many buyers. That will be a huge toll for Volvo’s overall sales as wagon counts 70% of its volume.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2008 Volvo XC70
=====================================
Performance: 2/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 5/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 3.5/5