Volvo cars are not very common in Russia. This is a fairly rare brand. There are many stereotypes associated with Volvo. There is an opinion that this is both an expensive and very, very reliable car. This is partly true. But what specific problems can be encountered when buying a Volvo XC70? This car is not easy and has a lot of nuances. Today we will try to figure it out and understand what the pros and cons of Swedish cars are. Technical specifications, Volvo XC70 owner reviews and operating experience are further in our article.
general information
What kind of car is this? The Volvo XC70 is a cross-country wagon, mass-produced from 1997 to 2016. The machine had several generations and differed both externally and technically. Well, we will analyze in detail all these points.
Appearance "Volvo XC70" 1997 release
The manufacturer does not hide that the XC70 is not a model developed from scratch. The basis of the Swedes took the classic wagon V70. In fact, it was slightly raised and equipped with a plastic body kit. At least, this is how one can distinguish an ordinary V70 from an off-road version of the XC. What this first generation car looks like, the reader can see in the photo below.
The appearance of the car is characteristic of those years. The front part "flaunts" a branded radiator grille with a diagonal line, as well as rectangular headlights rounded at the edges. The “face” of this car is very similar to the Volvo 850 model. However, the Swedes then did not differ in high design solutions. Unfortunately, the Volvo design of the first generation is significantly outdated. It's hard to pay attention to this car, reviews say.
Among the characteristic features of the body - the angular shape of the roof. Stand front and rear tilted at an angle, without rounding. This gives the car a certain “clumsiness." And if in the 90s it was still fashionable, then in the 2000s such bodies were considered a relic of the past.
Volvo after restyling
The Swedish manufacturer understood that design in the car plays a significant role. And nobody will buy an old station wagon in the 2000s at such a price. That is why, three years after production, the car underwent a serious restyling. What does the updated version of the all-terrain wagon look like, the reader can see in the photo below.
As before, the car used a powerful off-road body kit, but the body lines became different. The Swedes got rid of rough transitions in the area of the front pillar and roof, and also smoothed the corners in the wings and optics. The configuration of the bumper has also changed. The new car became more modern and began to attract the attention of buyers. But if we talk about today's time, design is still a thing of the past. The updated XC70 cannot be called a dinosaur (like its dorestyled version), but the car will not stand out in the stream.
Design Volvo XC70 II
Responses of owners say that the appearance of this car leaves no one indifferent. The design is made in the classic Scandinavian style - smooth forms, lots of chrome and a pronounced "sidewall". In this form, the car was produced for almost ten years and was discontinued only recently. Among the changes in the new generation of Volvo XC70 reviews note high-quality lensed optics. Xenon headlights perfectly illuminate the road. The foglights on the Volvo X-70 70 cope with the lighting no worse. For them, a separate hole with a huge plastic insert is provided in the bumper. At the bottom of the bumper (which is still black) appeared a wide chrome strip. This insert harmoniously looks against the background of the overall design of the Volvo XC70 2011. Owner reviews say that the car is equipped with smart mirrors. If you look closely, you can see the compact camera in the place where the mirrors are attached to the door. It provides all-round visibility and responds to blind spots. Thus, riding a Volvo becomes safer. However, you can talk about security systems on Scandinavian cars endlessly. The Swedes are literally obsessed with this.
Among the features of the second generation of Volvo is worth noting an elegant double-barreled exhaust and massive taillights. They look gorgeous on a station wagon.
Metal quality
Surely many heard how strong cars from Volvo were. Is it really? This characteristic can be applied not only to the first, but also to the second generation - Volvo XC70 2008. In the reviews, the owners unanimously say that the metal here is perfectly protected from corrosion. Despite their age, these machines do not rot at all. This is a dry fact. Moreover, good protection for both the very first and the latest models. And the belief that “they did better before” is useless. The Swedes still make quality cars. And the Volvo XC70 of 2016. - direct proof of this. The metal is processed by hot dip galvanizing. The body is placed in a huge bathtub with a special fluid, after which the cathode and anode are connected to it. This is a rather expensive and complicated galvanizing technology (most manufacturers now use the cold method). But it is precisely by such a scheme that it is possible to provide long-term and reliable protection of the body against corrosion.
Very sturdy bumpers on the Volvo XC70. Reviews say that with an accident, the Swedish car remains as intact as possible. There are many examples when, in a serious blow, the owners of the Volvo limited themselves to just a couple of scratches on the bumper (while the “opponent” has completely bent wings or doors). Among other features, it is worth noting the quality of the paint material. The thickness of the paintwork reaches two hundred microns, and this is at the factory. Something similar was practiced by Mercedes on E-class cars. This paint thickness eliminates serious damage and prevents the contact of bare metal with precipitation.
Sizes, clearance
This car is quite large - say the reviews. In size (and in layout) it resembles the Forester. So, the length of the Volvo is 4.84 meters, width - 1.87 meters, height - 1.6 meters. Depending on version, the curb weight is from 1695 to 1895 kilograms. Perhaps this is the heaviest wagon that is on the European market.
Another feature noted by the reviews of the owners is a police suspension. For the Volvo XC70, it is provided from the factory, but not all trim levels are available. Some redo the suspension on their own. Its essence is simple: racks provide maximum smoothness and absorption of holes. As for clearance, for all versions it is the same and is 21 centimeters. This is even more than on some crossovers. In terms of cross-country “Volvo XC” there are no equal. The car easily overcomes snow drifts and confidently rides on a wet primer. It’s almost impossible to get stuck on such a machine. By the way, such a cross wagon in many cases is not needed. The owners themselves are talking about this, because the car is mainly operated on paved roads. But the presence of high clearance and all-wheel drive inspires some confidence.
Salon
The interior is decorated in the corporate style of Volvo. A massive three-spoke steering wheel and a huge center console immediately catch your eye. By the way, the latter is biased a little towards the driver. Such a "chip" is far from all cars. But the number of buttons and numbers on the console is sometimes crazy. Volvo's interior designer was clearly a mathematician. There is even a calculator (though you need it to dial numbers, because the car has a landline telephone). Many say that such an abundance of buttons is useless on this station wagon. But be that as it may, with ergonomics everything is in order here. A driver of any build can move the seat and adjust all the adjustments “for themselves”. There are three memory seat adjustments. The steering wheel, by the way, can also change its position. The Swedish manufacturer provides for different colors. But the most popular interior option is light skin with wood inlays.
What do they say about the interior of the Volvo XC70 2001 reviews? The owners note that the wagon has a good level of equipment. So, in many trim levels there is:
- Heated front mirrors.
- Heated seats.
- Rain sensor.
- Front and side airbags.
- Multifunction.
- Immobilizer with central locking.
- Climate control.
- Electric sunroof.
- Leather upholstery.
And not to mention such trifles as power windows of all doors and electric drive of seats. These options are already present in the basic Volvo XC70. Operating experience has shown that all these devices and systems remain operational for twenty years.
Volvo XC70 has good sound insulation. No matter what engine is placed here (diesel or gasoline), it is not audible inside, even if the tachometer is in the cutoff area. You can not hear the extraneous crickets that other cars in the class have less. By the way, silence in the cabin remains even after years - the owners say. This indicates a high level and build quality.
Trunk
Since the Volvo XC70 was built on the basis of the station wagon, there are no problems with the lack of cargo space here. The trunk of the XC70 is simply huge - say the reviews. In a five-seater version, its volume is 944 liters.
But that is not all. Additionally, you can fold the rear seatbacks. And they add up, forming a flat floor. As a result, the boot volume increases to 1580 liters. The length of the cargo compartment is about two meters.
Technical characteristics of the first generation Volvo
According to reviews, Volvo XC70 has a wide selection of power plants. So, in the first generation, four power units are available. All of them are five-cylinder, in-line and placed transversely relative to the body.
If we talk about gasoline, the line includes:
- Turbocharged engine with a displacement of 2.4 liters. The maximum power of the unit is 200 horsepower. It is worth noting that after the release of the restyled version, this motor underwent improvements and began to develop five horsepower more power with the same volume.
- Five-cylinder unit with a 20-valve timing mechanism with a capacity of 210 horsepower. The working volume of this motor is 2520 cubic centimeters. Like the previous one, this unit is additionally equipped with a turbocharger.
As for diesel engines, the line includes:
- The five-cylinder unit with a capacity of 163 horsepower and a volume of 2400 cubic centimeters. This motor was not produced for long, in the period from 2005 to 2006.
- Turbo diesel engine for 185 horses. This unit has the same displacement as the previous one. However, it differs in more economical fuel consumption and acceptable torque.
Power unit "Volvo XC70" II generation
In 2007, the car has changed significantly, not only externally, but also technically. So, the Swedes have completely changed the line of powertrains. If we talk about gasoline, there are three of them. The base is a 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine. It develops up to 238 horsepower. By the way, this engine was also located transversely relative to the body. Next on the list is a three-liter unit with a turbine. Its power is 285 horsepower. The top in the lineup was the T6 3.0 engine with 304 horsepower.
Since diesel engines are very popular in Europe, it is not surprising that the line of “solid fuel” units is more extensive. The base on this list is a five-cylinder engine for two liters with a capacity of 163 horsepower. Another engine was produced with the same power, however, its volume was 2.4 liters. But this is not the whole list. In the period from 2007 to 2009, the manufacturer equipped Volvo with a 2.4-liter turbocharged unit with 175 horsepower. In parallel with it was placed another five-cylinder engine. With the same volume, he developed 185 horsepower. Since 2009, it has been replaced by the new D5 engine. Its capacity is 205 horses. Well, the latest versions of the station wagon (which were produced after 2011) were equipped with a 215-horsepower turbodiesel.
It should be noted that regardless of the selected motor, the car had acceptable dynamics. Acceleration to hundreds took from 6.8 to 10.8 seconds. And the maximum speed reached a mark of 195-215 kilometers per hour. The above power plants worked in tandem with two gearboxes. It was a six-speed manual, as well as a six or eight speed automatic.
The nuances of diesel engines
What do the Volvo XC70 2008 (diesel) reviews say? The owners note that it is advisable to take such a motor in view of fuel economy. After all, gasoline engines are completely equipped with turbines and do not differ in low consumption. This indicator can easily exceed 15 liters in the city. Diesel engines with the same power consume up to nine liters in the combined cycle.
Are there any problems with "solid fuel" units? Over time, owners may face a problem starting the engine. Also, the engine starts to “cold”. The reason for this is commonplace - a glow plug. Even if one fails, the system will not work properly.
On older models, the starter may fail. Acquiring from a showdown is not an option, it may last for a short time. A more economical solution is to repair an old starter. Another problem is the particulate filter. Errors may occur on it. This comes from natural pollution. After 150-200 thousand, it is simply clogged. But sometimes the reason lies in the faulty oxygen sensor.
Modern Volvo engines are equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation system. In view of this, the soot valve is often clogged. The car begins to blunt during acceleration, the consumption increases. The problem is solved by cleaning the recirculation valve or installing plugs, followed by flashing the electronic engine control unit.
What about gasoline?
In this regard, a gasoline unit is simpler. There is no recirculation system, particulate filters, and the complex Common Rail fuel system. However, when buying such a Volvo XC70 2005, owner reviews advise you to prepare for high fueling costs. Not everyone can feed such a motor. 15 liters per hundred - this is quite an adequate flow rate for this turbocharged engine. According to owner reviews, the Volvo XC70 2001 is one of the most voracious station wagons in the Swedish manufacturer's lineup. Therefore, many find a way out in diesel engines. But as reviews say, the Volvo XC70 2006 with such an engine will require money when repairing a fuel one. Motorists say that diesel does not save money, but only gives loans. This is partly true. If you use low-quality fuel and do not change the oil on time, you can get into serious repairs.
Service
Reviews say that the engines on the Volvo are quite resourceful. But to save them, you need to adhere to the rules for replacing consumables. These primarily include oil and filter. The manufacturer says that the oil change schedule for Volvo engines is 20 thousand kilometers. However, Russian motorists recommend reducing this period to 10-15 thousand. When replacing, pour about six liters of oil. Do not save on filters. This can be fraught with serious consequences. A poor-quality filter is not able to trap dirt and production products, which, when they enter the cylinder-piston group, significantly reduce the life of rubbing pairs and mechanisms.
In a manual gearbox, the manufacturer does not recommend changing the oil. No matter how strange it may seem, but there are many examples of how a box "went" in one oil for 200-300 thousand. And at the same time was in excellent condition. But as for the automatic box, here the oil must be changed without fail. The automatic transmission uses a special ATP-liquid, which can be filled by partial or complete replacement. Experts advise using the latter method, as old oil with production products is completely displaced from the system. What type of oil to put in an automatic gearbox? Operational experience shows that the best choice is the Mobil ATF transmission fluid, model 3309.
Do not forget about the timing belt. There is no chain drive on these engines. The belt needs to be replaced every 140 thousand kilometers. At the same time, a new tension roller is installed. On older engines, you can additionally change the pump. But she usually has a good resource.
Chassis Volvo XC70
Volvo XC70 owner reviews say the station wagon has a sturdy suspension. The machine is built on the Volvo RZ platform and is based on a supporting body with independent suspension. Front - MacPherson struts, rear - mnogoryichazhka. Weaknesses in this car include silent blocks of aluminum front levers. Operational experience shows that these elements on our roads serve no more than 80 thousand kilometers. Wheel bearings have the same service life. By the way, on versions later than 2012, reinforced silent blocks are used, the resource of which is 150 thousand kilometers. As for the other parts of the suspension, operating experience shows that repairs may be required on the run no earlier than two hundred thousand kilometers.
Cost
How much is the Volvo XC70? Car prices vary significantly, as the car has already been discontinued and is available only in the secondary market. If we talk about the first, pre-styling models, they can be found for 200-300 thousand rubles. Versions after 2003 will be more expensive by 100-150 thousand. Well, the latest Volvo 2012-2014 model year is available at a price of one and a half million rubles. Most versions come with diesel engines and have a good level of equipment.
Conclusion
So, we reviewed the technical specifications, features, owner reviews and prices for the Volvo XC70. Can I buy this car? The machine is quite complicated, and you need to understand that in the event of a repair, replacing or repairing something with your own hands will fail. Therefore, in the secondary market, you need to select only a well-groomed copy. Take cheaper "to restore" is not worth it - you simply go broke. The car has many expensive parts, which, in addition to high cost, are very difficult to find. If you can find a well-groomed Volvo XC70, such a car will last a very long time without breakdowns. Owners are usually limited to replacing consumables.