EDMUNDS.COM 2004 VOLVO XC70
Find, Buy, Review, Make offers on, and View more vehicles like the 2004 VOLVO XC70 new at UsedNewCars.com!
Click Here For More Reviews On Edmunds.com
 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
A viable alternative for those who need an all-weather wagon but don''t want the bulk and poor handling of most SUVs.
Pros
Versatile all-wheel drive, superb comfort, extensive array of safety equipment, solid construction, excellent brakes.
Cons
High price, lacks the true off-road capability of an SUV, odd control placement.
What''s New for 2004
The XC70 remains unchanged except for the addition of bi-xenon headlights to the options list and a revised steering system.
Overview
Introduction:
Volvo''s lineup of station wagons has always been popular with families looking for safe transportation. Over the years, they''ve come in a wide variety of styles, from basic cloth-upholstered grocery getters to leather-lined luxury haulers to turbocharged sport wagons. But they''ve all had one thing in common: safety that is engineered into every nook and cranny. In the late 1990s, as consumer interest in SUVs was booming, Volvo decided to try and capitalize on buyer desires for family vehicles that didn''t look like family vehicles. The company took a standard-issue V70 station wagon, raised the suspension, installed all-wheel drive, fastened some cladding to the body, added foglights and special trim and swiped the name of a high school sport for its new concoction. The Cross Country, as it was known, employed the same winning philosophy as the Subaru Outback. Turn a car into an SUV, Volvo believed, and buyers would come. Come they did, and soon the Cross Country was accounting for half of all V70 sales. When the V70 was redesigned for 2001, so was the Cross Country. Designers tried to make it look like a more serious SUV, adopting an odd masked front fascia and sturdy-looking wheels to impart a rough-and-tumble image. Inside, however, were traditionally comfortable leather seats and all of the safety and luxury goodies for which Volvo has become known. The Cross Country name changed to XC70 in 2003 to keep in line with Volvo''s emerging nomenclature for SUV-type vehicles. Now the smaller sibling to the seven-passenger XC90 SUV, the XC70 has effectively been eclipsed by the newer and larger offering. Other than a slight price advantage, we see little reason to buy a XC70 instead of the new XC90 unless all you really want is a rugged-looking all-wheel-drive station wagon.
 |
For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The XC70 comes as a four-door wagon in one trim level. Standard equipment includes cloth seats, dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, a CD stereo, heated front seats and simulated wood trim. Notable options include a DVD-based navigation system, a Dolby premium audio system, leather seating, bi-xenon headlights and a sunroof. You can also get a rear-facing third-row seat large enough for two children.
Powertrains and Performance:
Only one engine is offered, a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder. It''s rated at 208 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque and sends power to all four wheels in varying degrees depending on available traction. Under normal conditions, 95 percent of the engine''s power is routed to the front wheels for the sake of fuel efficiency. A five-speed automatic with Geartronic manual selection and a winter mode is the only transmission choice. EPA mileage ratings are 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
Safety:
Like all Volvos, the XC70 comes standard with numerous safety features that include side-impact airbags for front occupants, side curtain airbags for front and rear passengers, pre-tensioning seatbelts in all five seating positions, a whiplash protection system and four-wheel antilock disc brakes. A traction control and stability control system is also an option along with integrated child booster seats.
|
For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
In standard trim, the XC70 doesn''t look or feel particularly luxurious, but leather upholstery is available for those who want a more upscale cabin. The front seats provide excellent comfort, but legroom in the second row is tight. Interior ergonomics are generally good, although a few oddly placed controls take some getting used to. With the rear seats folded down, the XC70 has 71.5 cubic feet of cargo room, slightly less than most midsize SUVs.
|
For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
With its soft, forgiving suspension, the XC70 provides a smooth, isolated ride on all surfaces. Sharp handling isn''t in the XC''s repertoire, but light steering and a relatively small size make for easy maneuvering. The turbocharged engine is economical and smooth, but it feels overtaxed at lower speeds. The fully automatic all-wheel-drive system assures surefootedness in inclement weather along with the economy of front-drive operation while on dry pavement.
|
For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
[ UsedNewCars.com ] [ Information Index ] [ Site Map ]
[ VOLVO Information Index ] [ WAGON Information Index ]
|
