- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.3T, 5 cyl.
- Engine Power
184kW, 330Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 10.8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Vee to a T
The 'V' stands for 'versatile' in Volvo's naming scheme of things. And the impressive V70 T5 wagon easily fits the bill.
Pigeonhole: Upmarket carry-all with "what was that and which way did it go?" performance.
Philosophy: Just because it's a wagon doesn't mean it can't be sporty.
Who's buying it: Sportin' folk with outdoorsy families.
Why you'd buy it: A remarkably good all-rounder, with top-bracket safety.
Why you wouldn't: There are plenty of other, cheaper wagons to be had.
Standard equipment: Just about everything. Climate-control air-conditioning, satellite navigation, electrically-adjustable and heated front seats, cruise control, trip computer, front and rear foglights, luggage cover and nylon safety barrier.
Safety: Among the world leaders. Airbags for front seat occupants, and head curtains at the sides; side-impact protection; front seat whiplash protection; two booster children seats in the back; head restraints and three-point belts for all seating positions, electronic traction and stability control.
Cabin: Roomy, comfortable, modern and convenient. In a Volvo? Yep!
Seating: Good and supportive in the front, and they take the pain out of long-distance travel. Built-in child's booster seats in the back add to its appeal as a family wagon. Reasonable rear seat legroom for adults.
Engine: The T5 label signifies the hottest of the bunch. It's a turbocharged 2.3-litre five-cylinder with a serious 184kW of power. Not a lot of punch down low, but once spinning it gets on with the job.
Transmission: Five-speed automatic with seamless changes and a "geartronic" system which allows manual selection. Front-wheel-drive with traction control.
Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion; sharp on the road, but the wagon has a wide, 10.9m turning circle.
Ride: Taught, but comfortable.
Handling: Agile for a wagon and nimble between corners although at times it's obvious there is high power going through the front wheels.
Fuel: 10litres/100km on a city and country test; official figures give 7.5litres/100km on the highway, 11.3 in the city.
Brakes: Four-wheel discs with anti-lock are seriously good.
Build: Bulletproof.
Warranty: Two years/unlimited distance.
Security: Remote central locking with immobiliser.
Audio: Radio plus in-dash four CD player; nine speakers, good sound quality.
Cost: At $87,950 it's not a gift, but there's not a lot of competition in this luxury wagon market unless you go for a four-wheel-drive which generally have worse stability and higher consumption. A sun roof added $2000 to the price of the test car.
Verdict: Volvo has morphed from the box car company to one in which style is a positive point. Comfortable, well-equipped and with strong and useable performance. If you care about the kids, this is the way to carry them.
Prices correct at publication date.