Volvo’s beefed-up luxury wagon is designed for folks who can’t quite decide between a comfy sedan and a rugged crossover. The XC70 serves up enough utility and ground clearance to please outdoorsy types while remaining more or less a passenger car.
What's New for 2015
A new 2-liter turbo, dubbed Drive-E, promises better performance and efficiency than last year’s base engine.
Choosing Your Volvo XC70
The Drive-E engine powers all front-drive versions of the XC70. The 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder generates 240 horsepower and returns 24 mpg around town and 31 mpg on the highway. The Drive-E is paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
On the all-wheel drive XC70, you have a choice of a 240-horsepower 3.2-liter six-cylinder or a 3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder with 300 horsepower. Both six-cylinders use a six-speed automatic.
The model lineup is broken out according to drivetrain:
T5 Drive-E FWD
Comes with the Drive-E engine, plus standard features such as power front seats with driver memory, automatic headlamps and wipers, LED running lights, roof rails, fabric upholstery, Bluetooth phone and audio, and an eight-speaker sound system with CD, a USB interface, and satellite and HD radio.
3.2 AWD
Carries the 3.2-liter six-cylinder and all-wheel drive. Equipment and options are otherwise identical to the T5 Drive-E.
T6 AWD
Equipped with the turbocharged six-cylinder, all-wheel drive and the contents of the Premium Package are standard on this model.
Customers can customize their XC70 with a number of option packages:
- Premier Package: Adds leather seating, a sunroof, wood interior trim, keyless access and ignition, rear privacy glass, configurable gauges and an auto-dimming mirror.
- Premier Plus Package: In addition to the above, you get a rearview camera, power-folding mirrors, a power liftgate, power-folding rear headrests, a folding front passenger seat, a cargo cover and a pop-up grocery bag holder.
- Platinum Package: Adds navigation, ambient interior lighting, a 12-speaker surround sound and auto-dimming side mirrors.
- Climate Package: Comes with a cabin air filtration system and heating for the front and rear seats, steering wheel, windshield and washer nozzles.
- Technology Package (Premiere and above): Adds a front collision mitigation system, lane-departure warning, driver attention alert and pedestrian and cyclist detection.
- Blind Spot Information System: Gets you a blind-spot warning system, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors.
Buyers with little ones take note: the XC70 is available with integrated child booster seats and a rear entertainment system.
CarsDirect Tip
The new Drive-E engine offers a terrific blend of performance and efficiency. For that reason alone, the T5 Drive-E is the most sensible choice for most buyers. Of course, if you live in the snow belt or intend to leave the road now and then, you'll have to limit your shopping to the AWD six-cylinders models.
