2008 Volvo XC70 review
December 6, 2007 by Anthony Crawford
2008 Volvo XC70 Review
“There is little if anything out there in car land, which has the sheer versatility and skill set, to compete with Volvo’s new-generation XC70”
POSTSCRIPT: Some other media outlets have suggested the XC70s on the North Queensland launch drive “drowned” attempting a water crossing at their stated wading depth of 300mm. Caradvice was there at the crossing and due to a rising tide the water depth was considerably more than 300mm, more like 400mm. The real story is that when the XC70s were put through a water crossing that because of unforeseen circumstances exceed their design limits, they got through. The cars that stalled in the water were able to restart and drive out – their engines did not ingest water and they did not “drown”, even when pushed beyond their design limits.
Anthony Crawford
Test models: Volvo MY2008 XC70 3.2 AWD & XC70 D5 AWD
CarAdvice rating: 
Recommended Retail Price:
• XC70 3.2 $58,950
• XC70 3.2 LE $64,950
• XC70 D5 $60,950
• XC70 D5 LE $66,950
- by Anthony Crawford
Where it sits: Just below the seven seater XC90 SUV which starts at $69,950 for the 3.2 litre.
The Map in the glove box clearly stated in bold letters “4WD only past Cape Tribulation” and that’s precisely where our convoy of XC70 wagons were heading for tomorrow, on the way through to Cooktown, in far north Queensland.
With daytime temperatures hovering around 34 degrees along with punishing humidity, inside the XC70 for up to six hours, will be a good place to be.
The nights are significantly more comfortable at a balmy 24 degrees, but even then, you can break into a sweat if you’re chowing down a la fresco, without the aid of a sea breeze.
This third generation “Cross Country” Volvo, is exactly that. A prestige wagon, equally at home on the rough stuff, as it is hurtling along a highway with family and luggage in tow.
Great article – great pics! Well done. It’s amazing to see how far ahead Volvo continues to be all these decades on. Nice work Volvo.
Wow! Nice car. I actually like the look of it much more than it’s big brother – is there a 3rd row seat option? And those booster seats – what a fantastic idea!
Volvo is on a role with an excellant blend of styling and dependablity. Volvo could be the best value out there!
Yes, a good review with nice pics. Three positive comments above but the “First Steer” comments were a bit harsh…
Some people just don’t realise that this is all the AWD capability than many people like me need.
If there was a VE Adventra with a Diesel, I would be interested but there isn’t – just the XC70…
BTW. You can get built in booster seats in some Mercedes cars (E Class wagon at least) and in the VW Passat wagon too. Factory (extra cost) option, unlike those in the XC70 of course…
Personally, it’s too expensive for something that fills the role of a Subaru Outback.
The Outback is a commendable effort but it’s just not in the same league as the XC70. Option up a 3.0-litre Outback and see where you get to!
Subaru 3.0R Outback $54,290 plus options would easily take you north of $58,000!
Give me the XC70
Lets hope Volvo carries on the design through to the xc90, otherwise I just might have to trade my xc90 for a xc70.
jw mmmmm speaking from experience outbacks are the most traded cars on the far superior XC 70. Similar concept but inferior vehicle.
Capable, comfortable and well built – what more could you ask for?
Outback v. Volvo? No comparison when you have been in a volvo for a while! The leather, stereo, seats just kill the Subaru. Well worth the extra dollars. I might be biased, though – I have an R and my wife an s40T5 (the latter will be replaced if I can convince her that the XC70 isnt REALLY a station wagon…)
How serious do Subaru take safety? Well, go and check if you can get a cargo barrier for an Outback wagon with curtain airbags! Not possible – you need to choose one or the other. So you can crash your 5star rated Outback and get your head chopped off by your cargo, though the cabin may have stayed intact. Again, simple enough but these are just points to consider. I was ready to buy an Outback a few years ago but bought an XC70 instead as I didn\’t need to compromise this point. Since then I\’ve added an XC90 D5 to the home garage but it had a fair bit of (a major noise coming from steering rack) niggly problems that took Volvo a long time to sort. I like the XC90 but to me it doesn\’t feel as if it\’s made by the same manufacturer (worlds apart in quality, my XC90 doors rattle and need the passenger door unclips itself making my Dynaudio stereo purchase a silly choice that is overcome by annoying rattles) somehow and I still prefer the XC70. The new one does look the business – and, yes Volvo seats, or perhaps driving positions make these cars such great tourers.
Has anyone seen the SMH Drive article re the new xc70. Basically it killed the car driving wise but the most shocking was the 48 per cent retained value after 3 yrs. that is you loose half the car after 3 years or if its $68000 on road, half that $34000 or more specifically you drop nearly 1000 a month and then have to pay the lease. I have been waiting for 18 mths for this car and two months b4 its release i hear this. my problem is that the outback liberty are too small, the tanks dont have enough range (my forestor cannot get from coffs to sydney on one tank and we’re only talking about 500kms. the passat is fantastic in every respect except the 4 motion only comes in petrol which only takes 98 ron so dismiss that. i am still left with the volvo and this supposed poor retained value. disaster had struck as i figured i had it all worked out.
Cheers
I suggest you check the car values on carpoint.com.au or similar. I just checked and the 2005 Volvo XC70 SE shows 66% of original price, almost identical to the 6 cylinder Outback and X5 BMW. Perhaps the SMH review is a little biased?
Love the new XC70 LE D5, I want one but… when is Volvo getting a touchscreen like my Lexus RX350?
Please people, a little less bias in your comments: Yes the XC-70 is a great car however it was designed for the US market because its owned by Ford – the junk bond company. I got scared when I put the car into the first corner on the highway at speed. The diesel motor is slightly agricultural too but a better choice than the 3.2 which I thought struggled with the weight – yes the 1990 Kilos which is, can you believe it, 100 kilos heavier than the Kluger 4×4 I want to replace – I thought Volvo were going green. The fact is there are a lot of good cars out there and they all have faults. This car has fewer but if it wasn’t interfered with by the Yanks it would be supurb. I just drove the V-70 and I can’t believe the difference. Just do a Subaru Outback “a la Liberty” on it Volvo – jack it up 50mm and I’m out of here!
Sorry to doubt you, David, just checking you’re talking about the xc70, not the Xc90? I recall the XC90 being developed with the USA particularly in mind.
looks like a great family car!
Well, I have mine now. It feels a quality machine. Love the features. Nice discrete luxury AWD wagon. Very happy so far.
The Stig,can you tell more about it?
it\’s truely under rated by some other reviews in my opinion. when a car is pruchase mainly for carrying family, well, I can\’t say on road performance like X3 is more critical than safty, convenience and comfort.
Any aspect in particular ?
It is just the right combination of size, comfort, safety and performance for me while not being too “flashy”.
Well built. Not the best handling wagon around but what do you expect from increased ground clearance.
Thanks Stig, coming from a family that has had three Subaru Foresters, I don\’t see myself getting another SUV. Either a real 4WD like LR D3, or a proper family car. So I am more likely to get the V70 instead of XC70.
My three forester experience proves that the extra little ground clearance is too much a sacrifice of on-road performance. In the end, I have never been confident enough to take SUV off road with the extra ground clearance.
The V70 has AWD too, so it should be enough for snow driving holidays and some gravel road driving.
Yes, I would have a V70 if I could but I need the extra ground clearance for when I travel out to farms and so on. For me, the XC70 is the right solution but if you only need onroad performance, the V70 would be a good thing !
I’m looking to replace my outback H6 which I have found to be fantastic, except when pulling a loaded popup van. Fuel tank too small, with consumption up 16-18lts/100 & had to turn AC off as engine almost overheating on 40deg day.
I have test driven both petrol and diesel XC70 found diesel a little noisier Any thoughts on towing, which diesel would be best compared to most of year. Im travelling 80km/day in suburban/ city traffic.
Also is there a new XC70 and a new Outack out later this year?
Picked up my 2009 XC70 D5 LE on the 31st Jan. The towing capability of the XC70 is much better than the 3.0L GU ST Patrol that I used to have even though it is only rated to 2100kgs. With my 1500kg boat on the back I am getting 13-14L/100kms, and 7-8L/100kms without the boat on the back. The Volvo diesel has really surpassed my expectations. The Volvo diesel has the grunt of a truck with the comfort that you expect from a European touring car.