2011 Volvo XC70 3.2 Wagon
MSRP: $32,150
In the “old days,” there were two vehicles one would see on the road that were old, but just refused to die. One was the Toyota pickup. The other was the Volvo wagon. Actually, back then, they were known as “station wagons,” and were the most unhip, uncool vehicle one could buy. But a lot of people bought them because they were safe and reliable. And, of course, because they lasted forever.
Nowadays, a wagon is really just another crossover, on the scale between a hatchback and a car-based crossover, and the stigma is pretty much gone. The “XC” on this model stands for “cross country,” which definitely doesn’t fit into the old wagon paradigm. Volvo, on the other hand, is still safe, still reliable, and their vehicles still last forever. Is that enough for the XC70?
The 2011 Volvo XC70 3.2 Wagon is a five passenger wagon. The 3.2 is the lower of two trim levels. It has a 3.2 liter, inline 6-cylinder engine that produces 240 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. It has 16-inch alloy wheels, front-wheel drive, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting. It is rated at 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, and can go from zero to sixty in 8.4 seconds.
The XC70 comes with a tilt-telescope steering wheel, an 8-way power driver’s seat with memory functions, “Tricotec” upholstery, cruise control, heated mirrors, front foglights, rear foglights, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a 40/20/40 split folding rear seat, and 2-zone climate control. The audio system has 8 speakers, AM/FM radio, CD/MP3 player, satellite radio with 6 months of service included, and a USB/iPod port. We highly recommend purchasing the Premium Package which gives you leather upholstery, an 8-way power passenger seat, and a sunroof.
The XC70, like pretty much all Volvo products, comes with anti-lock brakes, hill-assist, active front head restraints, side front airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, stability control, and traction control. There is a lot of optional safety equipment, too. You can get a blind spot monitor, Volvo’s patented Personal Car Communicator, and a Technology Package with Adaptive Cruise Control, collision warning with braking, lane-departure warning, and driver fatigue warning. There are no ratings available, but Volvo is a leader in the field, and you can pretty much pencil in any Volvo as “perfect scores.”
Conclusions and driver feedback:
The interior is typical Volvo. That means great materials, modern dash, and understated design. The front seats are extremely comfortable and supportive, and may be the only ones in whose design a Chiropractor was consulted. The rear seats are also very comfortable. There is plenty of headroom all around, and plenty of legroom in the front. Taller passengers may want more legroom than the rear seat affords. If you fold the rear seat down, you can get 72 cubic feet of cargo space.
Some things never change, and the performance of any Volvo is one of them. This is a typical Volvo through and through. The steering and suspension are very conservative, and tweaked to produce maximum passenger comfort. The steering gives medium response, and the suspension gives some body roll when cornering.
The good news is that the passenger doesn’t feel a thing. Most reviewers use the word “refined” when talking about this car’s performance. The engine has just enough power to not be called “sluggish.” Its acceleration is acceptable, and it cruises at highway speeds with minimum effort. Basically, this car is made to be driven in a straight line and in a conservative manner.
The verdict: this car may be marketed as “cross country,” but it isn’t that much different than your father’s Volvo wagon. It looks a lot cooler, though.
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