EDMUNDS.COM 2004 VOLVO V70
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| Editors'' Review |
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
Comfortable, safe and roomier than most other luxury-brand wagons in its price range, the V70 is a smart choice in family transportation. Just be sure to take it easy on the options.
Pros
Superb comfort, wide variety of safety and luxury features, balanced ride and handling characteristics, available all-wheel drive.
Cons
Gets expensive when you start adding options, tight rear legroom, turbo lag and torque steer in T5 model.
What''s New for 2004
Last year''s 2.4T model is now the 2.5T, with the same 208-horsepower engine as the AWD model. New option packages for the 2.5T include Convenience and Special Titanium trim packages -- both bundle a wide variety of desirable features, but the latter includes distinctive exterior cosmetic touches as well. Finally, bi-xenon headlights are now optional while the top-line Dolby audio system has been upgraded with more speakers and greater amplification.
Overview
Introduction:
Remember the days when Volvos were universally thought of as boxy, boring, sensible cars? OK, some of you may still think that, but in the past five years or so, the Swedish company has undergone a renaissance in terms of softer design and increased driving dynamics in order to appeal to a greater audience than your typical safety-conscious suburban parents. It started with the introduction of the sleek C70 in 1998, the curvaceous S80 in 1999 and eventually the S60 and the V70 for the 2001 model year. Ah, yes, the Volvo station wagon. Brings to mind PTA meetings and trips to the vet in the straight-edge-designed refrigerators of yore, doesn''t it? In an effort to distance it from the boxy Volvos of the last couple decades, the V70 carries itself more aggressively, borrowing curves and character lines from its platform mates, the S60 and S80 sedans. Volvo claims there were four defining goals for this redesign: the V70 was to be sporty but comfortable, assertive yet elegant, muscular and fuel-efficient and, above all, "secure as a strongbox." Based on Volvo''s stout S80 large-car platform, the V70 looks quite similar to its sedan progenitor from the A-pillars forward, but the two share no exterior panels. The V70 wagon is an impressive vehicle that offers an excellent combination of utility, performance, safety and luxury content. Pricing starts around $30 grand, which should help Volvo maintain its lead in the luxury wagon segment. A fully loaded T5 can get expensive, however, so it''s best to limit the optional equipment, if you are on a budget.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
Four trim levels are available: base 2.4, midlevel 2.5T, winter-friendly 2.5T AWD and upscale T5. The 2.4 comes equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, a CD player, power-fold rear headrests, one-touch front windows and a tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel. In addition, the 2.5T and 2.5T AWD get 16-inch wheels, a power driver seat with memory, automatic climate control and faux wood interior accents. The T5 is trimmed with aluminum mesh inlays and gets a power passenger seat, a trip computer and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Options include an excellent 13-speaker Dolby Pro Logic sound system with a four-disc CD changer, a DVD-based navigation system, 17-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated seats, Volvo''s On Call telematics, a sunroof and bi-xenon headlights. A versatility package adds a third-row seat, bumping maximum passenger capacity from five to seven.
Powertrains and Performance:
The V70 2.4 comes with a 2.4-liter, five-cylinder engine that produces 168 horsepower (165 in California where it''s SULEV-certified). The 2.5T, as you might guess, is turbocharged, and it makes a healthy 208 horsepower. The 2.5T AWD has the same engine but power is routed through an electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system. The T5 is the most powerful V70 with its 247-horsepower, 2.3-liter turbocharged engine. Both the 2.4 and T5 can be equipped with either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission, while the 2.5T and 2.5T AWD are available only with the automatic. Automanual functionality is available on all models except the 2.4.
Safety:
The V70 boasts a long list of safety features, among these side airbags for front occupants, head curtain airbags for front and rear passengers, anti-submarine seats and whiplash-reducing front headrests. Stability control is standard on the T5 and optional on all other V70s.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
The V70''s interior is similar in design to that of the S80 and S60. The controls are nicely weighted, although the pictograms depicting the various functions can be difficult to understand. The V70 offers wonderfully comfortable accommodations for front passengers, though legroom is a bit tight for rear passengers. Fold the rear seats down, and there are 71.4 cubic feet of cargo space at your disposal. As an added bonus, the Volvo''s front-passenger seat folds flat, as well. If you have more bodies than cargo, you can purchase the optional rear-facing third-row bench, which seats two children.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
All V70s offer a level of performance and confidence not associated with the wagons of yesteryear. The base 2.4 offers adequate power for everyday driving, though most people are apt to prefer the more powerful 2.5T models. The T5 should be your choice if you like to do things quickly but don''t mind some turbo lag. On twisty roads, the V70 feels planted and predictable, though if you''re looking for true performance, the fast and nimble V70 R is a better bet. Ride quality is smooth on all but the harshest pavement. The steering isn''t overly communicative, but its quick ratio makes this wagon easy to maneuver.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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