The XC70 T6 AWD | Photo: M.St-Pierre
I have a friend who loves wood. Whenever we’d hit the road, he’d salivate at the sight of cut trunks lying on a trailer in transport, calling out the types of wood. I salivate at the sight of most station wagons and curse the North American market for being narrow-minded. It takes all kinds...
The 2013 Volvo XC70 is one such station wagon that makes me throw my thumbs up and for good reason. The XC70 is more than just a wagon. It’s a luxurious, capable, all-weather, and comfortable people hauler that can do so much and, it’s hot to boot.
Volvo’s famous CrossCountry is just as at ease covering ground on a highway as it is navigating roads in one of the busiest cities in the world with terrible streets. Truly, my solo 1,350 round road trip to New York City demonstrated beyond a doubt that this car is impressive on countless levels and deserves far more attention than it gets.
What is a Volvo XC70 T6 AWD?
Volvo qualifies the XC70 as a crossover and that’s the fashionable way to brand it. In my books, it’s a station wagon, much like the Subaru Outback.
North America was first introduced to the Volvo V70 XC in 1998. The XC trim became so popular that it took on a life of its own a few years later. Shortly thereafter, it spawned a new line of products within the Volvo brand.
The Volvo XC70 is a world car and, up until recently, was the only wagon offered by the Swedish company (viva the V60!), once renowned for these cars.
Technicalities
The 2013 Volvo XC70 offers a Haldex AWD system with Instant Traction as standard equipment. There are two inline 6-cylinder engines with 6-speed automatic transmissions to choose from.
The base $42,400 is motivated by a 3.2L that generates 240 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The $47,000 T6 has a turbocharged 3.0L that’s good for 300 hp and 325 torques.
As tested, my T6 AWD Platinum included the climate package with rear heated seats and retailed for $53,350.
Driving the Volvo XC70 T6 AWD
The 2013 Volvo XC70 T6 AWD offers a drive more akin to that of a plush luxury than a soft-roader crossover.
The XC70 is smooth and immensely comfortable regardless of the road on which it travels. The long road down to NYC is generally well maintained which makes the driving all the more pleasant. Traversing the twistier parts the Adirondacks proved to be just as easy. Body roll is present in sweeping curves however it’s very controlled.
In town, the generous travel provided by the fully independent suspension makes small work of potholes, cracks and all other types breaks in the surface.
On full throttle, the 2013 Volvo XC70 T6 AWD shoots forward with surprising fierceness. Like an old school muscle car, the nose rises to salute NYC’s skyline and then takes off. The 1,881 kg (4,138 lb) heavy-set station wagon reaches 100 km/h in a wink over 7 seconds but feels far quicker than that.
Yes, this car with its increased ground clearance, can tackle the best and the worst of our climate.
Inside and out of the Volvo XC70 T6 AWD
I’m a huge fan of the 2013 Volvo XC70 T6 AWD’s subtle body cladding which matches perfectly well with any of the available colours. The T6’s 18” Zephyrus wheels are well suited to the car as are the satin aluminum trim touches.
Also, it’s a station wagon and so is by default hot and cool, at the same time.
The cabin is beginning to look a little dated and may be one of the reasons why some people shy away from this car. It somehow made me feel old. My previous 2004 XC70 did not have this effect on me and it was beige… The new for 2013 revised shifter knob and gate do little to help.
The 2013 Volvo XC70’s seats, on the other hand, are all about making everyone lucky enough to spend time in them feel very good. Volvo invests mad amounts of money in R&D to make their perches the best in the business and they are. I spent 7 straight hours per trip in them and felt refreshed upon arrival.
Every Volvo is given a fair amount of attention where assembly is concerned, both inside and out. The level of class and luxury is on par with the Germans. The only difference is that a Volvo tends to fly under the radar.
Comparing the Volvo XC70 T6 AWD
The Audi Allroad, BMW X1 and, to a lesser extent, Subaru Outback are the XC70’s closest competitors. Out of the lot, I’d have a hard time picking a winner between the Audi and the Volvo.
Purely for comfort reasons, I’d spring for the Volvo. For a slightly more dynamic driving experience, the Audi would do nicely.
The 2013 Volvo XC70 is one such station wagon that makes me throw my thumbs up and for good reason. The XC70 is more than just a wagon. It’s a luxurious, capable, all-weather, and comfortable people hauler that can do so much and, it’s hot to boot.
Volvo’s famous CrossCountry is just as at ease covering ground on a highway as it is navigating roads in one of the busiest cities in the world with terrible streets. Truly, my solo 1,350 round road trip to New York City demonstrated beyond a doubt that this car is impressive on countless levels and deserves far more attention than it gets.
 |
What is a Volvo XC70 T6 AWD?
Volvo qualifies the XC70 as a crossover and that’s the fashionable way to brand it. In my books, it’s a station wagon, much like the Subaru Outback.
North America was first introduced to the Volvo V70 XC in 1998. The XC trim became so popular that it took on a life of its own a few years later. Shortly thereafter, it spawned a new line of products within the Volvo brand.
The Volvo XC70 is a world car and, up until recently, was the only wagon offered by the Swedish company (viva the V60!), once renowned for these cars.
 |
| The Volvo XC70 is a world car and, up until recently, was the only wagon offered by the Swedish company. (Photo: Mathieur St-Pierre) |
Technicalities
The 2013 Volvo XC70 offers a Haldex AWD system with Instant Traction as standard equipment. There are two inline 6-cylinder engines with 6-speed automatic transmissions to choose from.
The base $42,400 is motivated by a 3.2L that generates 240 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The $47,000 T6 has a turbocharged 3.0L that’s good for 300 hp and 325 torques.
As tested, my T6 AWD Platinum included the climate package with rear heated seats and retailed for $53,350.
 |
| The $47,000 T6 has a turbocharged 3.0L that’s good 300 hp and 325 torques. (Photo: Mathieur St-Pierre) |
Driving the Volvo XC70 T6 AWD
The 2013 Volvo XC70 T6 AWD offers a drive more akin to that of a plush luxury than a soft-roader crossover.
The XC70 is smooth and immensely comfortable regardless of the road on which it travels. The long road down to NYC is generally well maintained which makes the driving all the more pleasant. Traversing the twistier parts the Adirondacks proved to be just as easy. Body roll is present in sweeping curves however it’s very controlled.
In town, the generous travel provided by the fully independent suspension makes small work of potholes, cracks and all other types breaks in the surface.
On full throttle, the 2013 Volvo XC70 T6 AWD shoots forward with surprising fierceness. Like an old school muscle car, the nose rises to salute NYC’s skyline and then takes off. The 1,881 kg (4,138 lb) heavy-set station wagon reaches 100 km/h in a wink over 7 seconds but feels far quicker than that.
Yes, this car with its increased ground clearance, can tackle the best and the worst of our climate.
 |
| In town, the generous travel provided by the fully independent suspension makes small work of potholes, cracks and all other types breaks in the surface. (Photo: Mathieur St-Pierre) |
Inside and out of the Volvo XC70 T6 AWD
I’m a huge fan of the 2013 Volvo XC70 T6 AWD’s subtle body cladding which matches perfectly well with any of the available colours. The T6’s 18” Zephyrus wheels are well suited to the car as are the satin aluminum trim touches.
Also, it’s a station wagon and so is by default hot and cool, at the same time.
The cabin is beginning to look a little dated and may be one of the reasons why some people shy away from this car. It somehow made me feel old. My previous 2004 XC70 did not have this effect on me and it was beige… The new for 2013 revised shifter knob and gate do little to help.
The 2013 Volvo XC70’s seats, on the other hand, are all about making everyone lucky enough to spend time in them feel very good. Volvo invests mad amounts of money in R&D to make their perches the best in the business and they are. I spent 7 straight hours per trip in them and felt refreshed upon arrival.
Every Volvo is given a fair amount of attention where assembly is concerned, both inside and out. The level of class and luxury is on par with the Germans. The only difference is that a Volvo tends to fly under the radar.
 |
| The 2013 Volvo XC70’s seats, on the other hand, are all about making everyone lucky enough to spend time in them feel very good. (Photo: Mathieur St-Pierre) |
Comparing the Volvo XC70 T6 AWD
The Audi Allroad, BMW X1 and, to a lesser extent, Subaru Outback are the XC70’s closest competitors. Out of the lot, I’d have a hard time picking a winner between the Audi and the Volvo.
Purely for comfort reasons, I’d spring for the Volvo. For a slightly more dynamic driving experience, the Audi would do nicely.
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