Not that you'd want to be lounging about in its trunk, especially since Volvo has gone to such great extremes to make the V70's
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| This particular V7, equipped with Sport and Convenience Packages, includes sportier seats with more bolstering, trimmed in soft Swedish leather. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
cabin a place you'll really want to spend time in. This particular model, equipped with Sport and Convenience Packages, includes sportier seats with more bolstering, trimmed in soft Swedish leather. These back and bottom friendly seats are easily the best that I've ever planted myself in, offering just the right amount of lateral and leg support, and a full headrest that cradles your neck. Combined with a greater range of adjustability, I defy you not to be comfortable in them.
There's more to this update than just the seats though. To improve the car's 'living space', the centre console has been slimmed down for more room in the front footwells, while the console itself features a new stereo that actually includes buttons to save your favourite radio stations (not the previous dial selector). Thankfully the pictograph-style (and very effective) HVAC controls have been left alone. Elsewhere, there is a new console tunnel/centre armrest, which was redesigned to include a flip-over lid that uncovers a storage bin as well as two industrial-grade (family strength) cupholders for rear seat passengers. The interior quality has also been improved to match the sublime ergonomics, with finer-grained and softer touch plastics. The A-Pillars
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| Thankfully the pictograph-style (and very effective) HVAC controls were left alone during the upgrade. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
and sunvisors are now covered in cloth, while real walnut (instead of the prevous "environmentally friendly" woodgrain) and real aluminum accents are available. The real gray and real taupe plastic trim is also of better quality with leather-look grain.
Aside from plus-sized luxury limos like the Audi A8 or BMW 7-Series, there's really no other place I'd rather be than in this V70. Stuck in traffic? No problem, this car relaxes you so that you're refreshed by the time you get home. It's funny; every time I get behind the wheel I get this image of a happy family on a road trip to visit relatives. You know? The two kids in back, at least one of which is comfortably strapped into the integrated booster seat. In contrast to the warm and welcoming Volvo, German interiors from BMW and Benz just feel too cold, and too industrial for transporting your children.
