On the heels of the Subaru Outback of the late nineties, Volvo decided it was time to offer a utility-type vehicle. Designers of the Swedish automaker took inspiration from their large family wagon and concocted what is arguably the best of both worlds. Here we not only have a typical wagon offering plenty of room for everybody and their gear, but also one with an adventurer look and, more importantly, interesting off-road capabilities.
This recipe seems to be working quite well for Volvo because the XC70 is being further upgraded for 2009 (following the introduction of the second-generation model last year). All the key attributes that have made this vehicle famous are still on the menu. For instance, black plastics for the lower cladding help prevent scrapes and scratches. The ground clearance is also taller than that of regular V70 wagons, while the wheels are specific to the XC70.
This Volvo has a rather conventional design and timeless appeal which means it will age at turtle-like speeds. The same holds true for the interior, although there's a touch of originality in the floating center stack. My tester featured a contrasting leather upholstery: the seats and the top of the dashboard were Espresso Brown while everything else was Sandstone Beige (almost white).
Despite this soothing atmosphere, it took a couple of days for said contrast to grow on me. Moreover, the oddly brushed aluminum inlays did their best to "spice up" the soft-trimmed interior. That's the sort of things which separate one premium brand from another. Overall, the layout is quite pleasant to look at.
The equipment level is reasonable and there are no unnecessary gadgets. Of course, some features are more useful than others, not to mention less stressful. Here, I want to point out the Distance Alert system which warns the driver about incoming obstacles on the road by screaming at you (literally) and force you to react. The Blind Spot Information System is also very helpful -- further proof that Volvo is obsessed with advanced safety technologies.
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| All the key attributes that have made this vehicle famous are still on the menu. |
This recipe seems to be working quite well for Volvo because the XC70 is being further upgraded for 2009 (following the introduction of the second-generation model last year). All the key attributes that have made this vehicle famous are still on the menu. For instance, black plastics for the lower cladding help prevent scrapes and scratches. The ground clearance is also taller than that of regular V70 wagons, while the wheels are specific to the XC70.
This Volvo has a rather conventional design and timeless appeal which means it will age at turtle-like speeds. The same holds true for the interior, although there's a touch of originality in the floating center stack. My tester featured a contrasting leather upholstery: the seats and the top of the dashboard were Espresso Brown while everything else was Sandstone Beige (almost white).
Despite this soothing atmosphere, it took a couple of days for said contrast to grow on me. Moreover, the oddly brushed aluminum inlays did their best to "spice up" the soft-trimmed interior. That's the sort of things which separate one premium brand from another. Overall, the layout is quite pleasant to look at.
The equipment level is reasonable and there are no unnecessary gadgets. Of course, some features are more useful than others, not to mention less stressful. Here, I want to point out the Distance Alert system which warns the driver about incoming obstacles on the road by screaming at you (literally) and force you to react. The Blind Spot Information System is also very helpful -- further proof that Volvo is obsessed with advanced safety technologies.
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| The rear cargo area which continues to offer a flat loading surface once the seatbacks are folded. |