2008 Volvo V70

Station wagons have long been a Volvo strong suit. Solid, safe and practical are words that many Volvo wagon owners swear by.  But could Volvo make a wagon that’s sexy too? Well, not quite. But this all-new V70 is definitely more appealing while remaining one of the sturdiest cars ever. So, does it really matter if the V70 comes in a plain wrapper? 

It wasn’t that long ago that we tested Volvo’s redesigned XC70 Luxury-Sport Crossover, and like cross country models before it, we were impressed.

But if you don’t need off-pavement attributes like higher ground clearance and all-wheel-drive, or rugged design cues, this totally street-friendly 2008 Volvo V70 wagon may be just your speed.

The V70 is a tamer, more family-centric iteration of the XC70, and both share their basic architecture with the S80 luxury sedan. 

Compared to the previous V70, wheelbase has stretched by more than 2 inches to 110.9, while its overall length has increased by almost 4.5 inches to 189.9.

Styling for the V70 is somewhat sleeker and more athletic than before, but don’t expect any drastic upsets.  Volvo is clearly sticking to what has worked in the past for its wagon clientele.

The front-end now has a pedestrian friendly hood, and the more protruding grille is flanked by aero headlamps with available washers.

The rear of the V70 is defined by a liftgate with taller glass and better integrated taillights using LEDs above the waistline.

The entire package rides atop either standard 16-inch or optional 17-inch alloy wheels.

Replacing the previous generation’s 5-cylinder engines, the new V70 is powered by Volvo’s latest 3.2-liter normally aspirated inline-6, also used in the S80 and the XC90 Crossover.  This powerplant makes 235 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque.

Energy channels to the front wheels through a new six-speed manual-mode “Geartronic” automatic transmission.

Government Fuel Economy ratings are 16 city/24 highway. Despite more power, the V70 managed real world economy of 22.1 miles-per-gallon on premium. That’s comparable to the 5-cylinder cars. The Energy Impact Score for the V70 is a moderate 18.0 barrels of oil consumed per year.

At the track, our tester moved from 0 to 60 in a quick 7.7 seconds.  It also ran the quarter-mile in 15.9 seconds at 92 miles-per-hour.  Once this wagon gets rolling, you can really feel the power coming on. Shifts are surprisingly quick with very little drop-off in rpms.

The V70 features a more rigid chassis, with a front strut and rear multi-link suspension, and its grasp of pavement is aided by standard Dynamic Stability and Traction Control.

Compared to its somewhat tighter XC70 counterpart, the V70 is less of an agile handler and more of a touring specialist. Solid and planted, it offers smoother, softer, but still European-bred ride comfort.

Brakes are four-wheel discs with ABS, Brake Assist, and Fading Brake Support. Stops were straight, stable, and averaged a 127 feet from 60 to 0, which is above par for a big, heavy wagon like this one.

New to the V70 is an optional collision warning system.  It works with Adaptive Cruise Control to initiate braking when an imminent impact is detected.

And that’s just the start of this Volvo’s safety roster.  There’s the new dual two-stage child booster seats, the next generation Whiplash Protection System, the optional Blind Spot Information System, and the Personal Car Communicator, which provides a heartbeat sensor that warns you if someone is hiding inside.

Within, the V70 boast a Scandinavian-rich interior that’s also more spacious. Sharing its design with the flagship S80, the sweeping dash leads the eye to a handsome gauge cluster, and sophisticated controls on Volvo’s now signature “free-floating” stack.

Comfort standards include 8-way power driver’s seat with memory, and dual-zone automatic climate controls. Options include seat heat, navigation, and rear DVD.

The three-person second row has more legroom due to the longer wheelbase.  Behind the 40/20/40 seatbacks, you’ll find a cargo area providing aluminum floor rails with tie-down hooks and a handy under floor compartment.  Fold the seats forward to create a large 72 cubic feet of luggage space. The front passenger seat also folds flat for long items.

Practical and posh, the front drive V70 has a base sticker of $33,210.  That’s about $4,000 less than the all-wheel drive XC70.

While at some brands “station wagon” is still a dirty term, the 2008 Volvo V70 delivers more practical elegance, efficient power, usable room, and reliable safety than the trendiest crossover utility.  It may not be sexy, but you would be hard-pressed to find a more suitable and capable people mover of any stripe.