by Jim McCaulay (03 Aug 07)

Large estates are useful; you can put a washing machine in the back of an Audi A6 Avant, and also into the rear of a BMW 5-Series Touring, so it comes as no surprise that you can also put it into the back of the Volvo XC70 estate. However, there is one big difference – in the Volvo you don't have to fold the rear seats. Some estates, it would appear, are more useful than others.

The latest XC70 is all-new, although it bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor. Based on the new S80 saloon and utilising its front end as far as the B pillars, the rear architecture is specific to the estate with a major emphasis on load carrying flexibility and on-board security. Despite the near vertical tailgate to maximise the load area volume, the now established Volvo stepped sides and high level light units tapering skywards cleverly disguise the interior squareness and refine the elegant balance first achieved in the original model.

A small corner of the market – about 5% – will opt for the petrol version, a masterpiece of engineering which topped the Jaguar bid within the Premier Automotive Group for an in-line six and which now nestles transversely, with gearbox, between the front wheels.

However, the major market interest will be for the 2.4-litre five-cylinder D5 turbo diesel engine which, when paired with the company's Geartronic transmission, provides the definitive example of smoothness for a self-shifting diesel car. This turbocharged unit produces 183bhp with 295lb/ft of torque available from 2000rpm and can take the car from rest to the benchmark 60mph in just over 9 seconds with a potential top speed of 127 mph.

Marginally hesitant to roll off the mark initially, the D5 gathers speed quickly and smoothly in the D5 with the six-speed Geartronic auto transmission providing almost seamless changes both up and down the box. For those who would like to opt for manual control on occasions, then the gearlever can be tipped sideways into a manual gate where ratios can be selected with a gentle in-line push. The overriding attraction is the smoothness of the power delivery and the quietness of the cabin, well insulated from the engine bay.

More . . .

More Volvo XC70 Photos
Volvo Gallery
Back to Volvo Road Test index
Back to main Road Test index