In-depth Reviews

Volvo XC70 owner reviews

Name: Volvo XC70 estate
Brand: Volvo

“The Volvo XC70 is a practical, luxurious and rugged estate car. It’s expensive, though, and due for replacement soon.”

by Carbuyer team

25 Jul 2016

Carbuyer Rating

2.6 out of 5

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Owners Rating

4.5 out of 5

78%of people would recommend this car to a friend.

Owner Rating

13reviews
4reviews
1reviews

Common Problems

Electrics (2 cases)
Engine (2 cases)
Other (4 cases)

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

XC70 D4

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

More than 20,000

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

Best vehicle I ever had. I a second owner. I bought the car from a main dealer last April, and so far no problems at all. Extremely comfortable seats and suspension. This is a front wheel drive version and is really very good with fuel consumption. When I refuel the tank it takes a long time before I need to visit the petrol station. I use the car to go work which is 36 miles from my house. It is really a very stable and solid vehicle. I've owned some German cars in the past but I can't make comparisons with the XC70. I do not regret buying this vehicle. Owing to being registered before 1 April 2017, road tax is just £30 per year. I cannot understand the negative comments from the people. Volvo becomes really a premium brand and no one cannot deny this.

Reliability

5 out of 5

Very reliable vehicle

Performance

D-4 is one of the best Volvo engines. Very powerful engine.

Running Cost

Exceptional fuel consumption for 2 tone car.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

T6 AWD SE Auto Lux

Year of registration

2012

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

Bought to replace an S70 Turbo, this 3litre AWD estate version does what it sets out to do. It's thirsty as I can't stop beating up Audis & Mercs. With over 300bhp its very sharp away but the brakes are good and its load carrying features excellent. On a recent wine trip to Bordeaux, it was in its element. Great on the high speed cruise. Able to lash the load easily and securely to the excellently laid out luggage compartment. In snow the AWD copes really well and the high quality Xenon headlights are a dream. Personally I don't like the headlights turning in advance so I was able to switch off that feature in the incredibly comprehensive software package that runs almost everything. The cruise control in my previous S70 did the job but hooked up to the Radar sensor, it stops the car and starts it beautifully when in traffic; if only the roads had some form of guidance strip... but they don't. Overall it's a high spec car, good performance at a cost and inevitably a compromise as it will pull a horse box on a field, yet do 0-60 in under 7 secs (with the horse box).

Reliability

5 out of 5

No problems yet

Performance

5 out of 5

Brilliant

Running Cost

3 out of 5

High on short trips

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Review

An exceptional family car. While this car as a "jacked up" station wagon may not be fashionable as an SUV it more than makes up for it with more space, better handling and better ride. Found it better for towing as well as I can see the boat on the back, it isn't hidden by the height of the vehicle. Steering and handling is nowhere as bad as reviews would have you think and we found the ride and ergonomics and handy features like the booster seats a better buy than the Audi Allroad. The shape of the trunk is also far more practical. Lastly light off-road performance on gravel roads, farms etc is fine

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel, 0

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel

Year of registration

2008

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

excellant

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year of registration

2011

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

no problems other than a dealer fitted front sensors

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5-2 litre, Diesel

Year of registration

2011

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

One breakdown

Running Cost

5 out of 5

Good mpg

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year of registration

2012

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Had 26 Volvos always reliable

Running Cost

4 out of 5

Could do with better MPG

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2007

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year of registration

2010

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

In over two years of ownership nothing has gone wrong

Running Cost

4 out of 5

Fuel is the major expense but as it gets older things like cambelt change at Ł750 approx begin to hit the pocket.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel

Year of registration

2008

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

The car has been totally trustworthy and reliable.

Running Cost

3 out of 5

It could be more efficient and the servicing costs are expensive.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2012

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

44.4

Review

Nothing gone wrong whatsoever

Running Cost

5 out of 5

Volvo's own insurance 1/3 quote from usual insurer, economy 2x better than previous car

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

SE Lux, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2009

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Review

A real pleasure to own. The xc70 has bettered our previous family car, the saab 9-3 sw by quite some way. It has great road presence, good performance, plenty space, wonderful practicality, great spec. Smart chunky profile. The smoothest of rides. Simply a great family motor. Would definitely have another volvo and certainly anther xc70.

Version

D5 SE 5Dr

Year of registration

2008

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

Bought this to replace a Mercedes. Purchased for a number of factors, mainly safety and reliability. Since purchase: 1) After sales service very poor - requests for information, ie service costs, ignored. 2) Reliability of parts - average. We have had to have the saddle fuel tank replaced at a very high cost because the fuel gauge is integral to the tank and had failed. Long job, high cost and very little common sense from Volvo UK HQ.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year of registration

2007

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Review

Brilliant apart from the satnav system which dosent work and was going to cost over £800 to repair

Version

SE, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year of registration

2009

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Review

High quality alternative to other prestige models. Very good all round car - better handling and more practical than most suvs. Disappointing economy on short journeys but reasonable on long routes. Fantastic user controls: simple but clear.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

D4 SE Lux AWD

Year of registration

2013

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Bought this primarily for the boot space (for 5 dogs) and safety after a near miss with dodgy brakes on a previous, relatively new car that the (non-Volvo) manufacturer refused to deal with. It has proven a solid, reliable, comfortable car over the first 32000 miles. I do a mix of in town, medium distance and long-distance drives (including several trips from Scotland to Belgium) and, no matter how long I spend behind the wheel, I get out at the other end feeling refreshed with no aches and pains. Very good seats! The car has averaged about 38-40mpg over the almost 3 years I have owned it, which I think is not bad for a car of this size. And the absolute bonus is the big boot area windows which have put a complete end to previous travel sickness in the dogs. They can sit in the boot and look all around (beagles). For moving bigger objects around, the boot with the rear seats down is absolutely cavernous. Approaching the 3 year point and I cant imagine parting with this car - it is the best I have owned in my 30 years of driving. I feel very safe in it and it grips the road really well, even on ice and snow or in heavy rain. The lights are super-bright for night driving and I really cant think of any criticisms and that is really not like me! Not exciting, not racey, a reputation as an old man's car but don't knock it till you've owned one for a while!

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Xc70 SE Lux nav

Year of registration

2011

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

Great practical car, albeit not as engaging as my previous Allroad. In comparison the Volvo steering can be a little vague, but it has never missed a beat since I have owned it. Performance is strong and fuel consumption is okay for a large car. Well equipped.

Reliability

5 out of 5

No problems other than a loose headlamp, covered and repaired under warranty.

Performance

4 out of 5

Strong diesel engine but could be smoother.

Running Cost

4 out of 5

Reasonable for a large estate.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Year of registration

2012

Average annual mileage

More than 20,000

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

Bought an 11 month old T6 Prostar full spec for £25k nearly half price. It is an amazing car it does 0 to 60 In just over 6.5 seconds . Great to get a car that no one knows is so fast. Was in Germany on the autobahn stuck behind a lorry when a Jag kept flashing me to get out of its way. Once lorry moved out the way I put my foot down and left it standing also lost sight of it once I hit 135mph. In my opinion it is better than a BMW and Merc except AMG versions. The brakes are excellent and it has every safety feature available the seats are amazingly comfortable. OK mine does 22mpg on average but who cares when I can outrun most cars. PS wife loves it as well as do our 2 Black Russian terriers.

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel

Year of registration

2011

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year of registration

2011

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year of registration

2010

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

No issues at all in over 2 years

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2011

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

43.2

Review

no problems so far except minor trim

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

SE Lux, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year of registration

2008

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Review

Fantastic

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2012

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

No Problems

Version

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2010

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Occasionally when parked the windows have all opened for no reason. No electrical fault found

Running Cost

3 out of 5

As expected for new car

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year of registration

2007

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

Old school Volvo : last of the solid build models. Current models all too American/Chinese build quality : rough!!!!!

Running Cost

3 out of 5

Good so far but holding my breath!

Version

SE LUX, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year of registration

2010

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Review

As i expected after previous car from same supplier.

Version

SE lux Premium, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year of registration

2010

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Review

Great car but i do not find it comfortable

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2.5 auto 5door

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Cannot understand negative reviews, as yet no problems, everything is positive. Comfortable, handles well. On motorways it's absolutely spot on. Off road conditions are well handled, must admit it was my second choice, I was going for skoda superb but was given a poor delivery date, now I am pleased.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

D5 SE Sport Geartronic

Year of registration

2008

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

Possibly the only car one could ever need and desirable enough to make you want to own it. It's big, really big, big enough for a whole family and a medium sized dog, loads of luggage and beefy enough to pull a large twin axle caravan up and down the country. Some reviews mention it rolls about a bit but those are for the standard car, the active 4C chassis control changes all that. Set it in Advanced mode and it holds the road better than a car this big and heavy deserves to. Put it back in Comfort and it simply wafts about like a true luxury car with a cosseting ride and Volvo's trademark superb seats to match. I only use Sport for towing as it helps beef up the rear suspension and keeps the van in check during lane changes and crosswinds. The interior is the best in its class by a mile, it's so well thought out and easy to use nothing is a chore, except it is a little cheap that the lumbar support isn't electric like German rivals and that is the only badly placed control, hard to reach properly right by the centre console. It's also a shame the electric passenger seat isn't standard and my car doesn't have it, though it is about the only option it doesn't have. Otherwise the build quality and the fit and finish is impeccable, my car has 155,000 miles on the clock and it hasn't worn a day inside, still modern and still immaculate due to the quality of the materials. The ergonomics are brilliant too, there's plenty of storage places and the dashboard is easy to read and use. Mine's a well specified car, has some great options including the excellent adaptive cruise control which is very useful, the BLIS blind spot monitor and the city safety and anti collision warning package all work very well together though the lane departure warning is annoying and I leave it turned off though I find that system annoying in all cars. Mine also has the sat nav which shows its age now but the motorised screen that rises from the dash is easier to read than the integrated screen of later cars. Mine also has the Rear Seat Entertainment package with rear audio controls and a DVD autochanger with 2 screens and wireless headphones. Great for the kids! Also on my car is the heated and ventilated front seats which are brilliant, toasty in winter and very comfy and cool on French summer holidays. Rear seats are also heated and the foldaway metal Dog guard is a great feature! Also the ease of which the seats fold down and the perfect flat load bay only adds to the cars peerless practicality. As well as being a superb motorway cruiser it's an easy car to drive in town despite its size, there are few blind spots and the flat rear is easy to place. My car has all round sensors and a camera aimed at the towbar as well so coupled to the large mirrors the car is easy to place and the auto releasing electric parking brake is a very useful feature. If there is one complaint is the engine noise, it is a noisy lump the D5 but it's ok, once up to speed with the family on board you can't hear it anyway! If I'm on my own I simply turn the stunning sound system up a notch. The audio system is worth a mention as it is incredible and knocks most manufacturers audio systems out of the park and is better than the BOSE system in my previous car. In fact only the multi thousands of pounds Bang & Olufsen or Burmester stereos surpass it. Mine has USB and iPod support and an excellent Bluetooth facility. All in all it's a struggle to think of anything as well rounded as the XC70, I'm eagerly awaiting the new V90 XC replacement once mine hits 200,000 miles!

Reliability

5 out of 5

Nothing to report in 155,000 miles. The previous owner also had no issues with the car since new, a fact backed up by Volvo's records. The only issue these D5's tend to suffer from is the aux belt snapping which can take out the cambelt but I've designed and fitted a guard for my car so that can't happen. All I've done since purchase is service the car every 18,000 miles.

Performance

5 out of 5

Mine has Volvo's Polestar 205bhp optimisation up from 185bhp. Torque is up from 400 to 450nm and that makes pulling the heavy frame and a large caravan easy. It's quicker than the numbers suggest and the engine matches well to the automatic gearbox. I highly recommend the Polestar map to anyone with one of these cars. Hasn't affected the fuel consumption either.

Running Cost

I average 31MPG as a real calculated average since purchase but that includes towing, town driving etc and it's a 4 wheel drive automatic estate car so I'm happy with that. It's better than the competition with similar engines. Over long motorway journeys I have had over 38MPG but that's about the limit. I'm happy with it but those looking for fuel efficiency should go elsewhere. Servicing at my main dealer is reasonably priced and the Volvo Service Promise lays out fixed prices for larger jobs. Road tax on my car is £295 per year which is fair for the kind of car it is.

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year of registration

2011

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

Problem with cracked pipe to turbo. Fixed under warranty. All else good.

Running Cost

2 out of 5

High fuel consumption below expectation

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2012

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

No problems whatsoever

Running Cost

5 out of 5

Volvo insurance half what my previous broker quoted, 18,000 mile/12 month service, potential 50 mpg

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2-3 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2011

Average annual mileage

More than 20,000

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

se, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year of registration

2010

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Review

In this recent cold snow spell,the car has exceeded all my expectations,allowing me to go out in the knowledge that i can safely return home.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

cdi, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year of registration

2007

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Review

Great value,economy & comfort

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“The Volvo XC70 is a practical, luxurious and rugged estate car. It’s expensive, though, and due for replacement soon.”

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