2008 Volvo XC70

It’s been a solid decade since Volvo beefed up its V70 station wagon, resulting in the rugged-look ready for any weather cross country. In the second generation, the focus was the same, but the name was abbreviated to XC70. Now for a third generation, the XC70 Luxury Crossover gets a complete overhaul, with stronger bones, more muscle, and a newly clad body, targeting sophisticates that may still yearn for a bit adventure. But can the XC70 deliver?

No matter if you call it a Crossover, or a beefy all-wheel drive station wagon, the 2008 XC70 is the latest in a long line of sophisticated all-road family transporters from Volvo, and like all Volvo’s, the foundation of the third generation XC70 is solid, using the same platform as the flagship S80 luxury sedan.

With that, the new XC70 grows 2-inches in wheelbase, and adds to overall length by 4.2-inches, and along with more standard features, weight is also up by almost 400 pounds.

This larger XC70 is also less modestly styled, clad in nicely athletic sheet metal, with a broad-shouldered fender treatment that wraps around standard 16-inch or optional 17-inch alloy wheels.

The more forceful nose has a pedestrian friendly fascia and hood with swivel Bi-Xenon headlights available, while the sleeker rear hatch wears taller glass, and better integrated tail-lights.

Power is from Volvo’s latest 3.2-liter inline 6-cylinder engine, shared with both the S80 sedan and the larger XC90 crossover. In the XC70, it makes 235 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque.

To provide the bulkier ‘08 XC good performance yet maintain acceptable fuel economy, the 3.2 is equipped with Volvo’s Cam-Profile-Switching valve control, a dual throttle valve Variable Intake System, and a 6-speed “Geartronic” automatic transmission with manual shift capability.

That combination allows Government Fuel Economy ratings of 15 city/ 22 highway. Overall that’s only 1 mile-per-gallon less than the previous turbo 5-cylinder XC70. Our average was 18 miles-per-gallon on premium gas. The XC70 has a high Energy Impact Score of 20.1 barrels of oil consumed per year.

The better news is the new inline-6 gives the XC70 recently brisk acceleration - 0-60 in 8.1 seconds, and there’s plenty of torque for Volvo’s ever-improving and very capable all-wheel-drive system which combines with standard traction and stability control, plus driver activated Hill Descent Control.

Most of our driving was on the slick leaf-covered pavement of a mid-Atlantic autumn, and the XC70 delivered superb traction.

The new, more rigid chassis also delivers improved ride and handling, matching well to a front strut and rear multi-link suspension which can be equipped with a self-leveling.

The front end feels sharper, and the speed sensitive power steering quicker, but our drivers would prefer more feedback through the steering wheel. 

There is a huge improvement over choppy pavement. The new chassis/suspension combo virtually eliminating the sometimes annoying bounce of the previous car.

The brakes are 4-wheel discs with ABS, Brake Assist, Fading Brake Support, and Ready Alert Brakes which predicts hard stops and pre-positions pads against the rotors.

It also works with the available Collision Warning System, which uses radar from the Adaptive Cruise Control, to detect a possible rear ender and ready the brakes.

Being a Volvo, there are loads of safety features available, including a Blind Spot Information System is also available, plus the new, height-adjustable child booster seats, which are paired with extended head curtain airbags to maximize side impact protection for kids, and the Personal Car Communicator system tells you if your car is locked and warns you if someone is hiding inside.

The XC70’s cabin is luxurious and roomy, sharing much of its understated elegance with the S80. It really stands out with the deluxe wood and leather of the optional Premium Package.

XC70’s long list of standard features includes an eight-way power driver’s seat with memory and dual zone automatic climate controls on a floating center stack plus optional high-end Surround Sound audio with digital HD radio and DVD navigation.

When it comes to adults in the rear seat, they’ll find good head and leg room, with 40/20/40 split seatbacks, and back in the cargo area, there are a host of tie down points and aluminum floor rails that take a wide variety of cargo handling accessories including a sliding shelf.

Drop the rear seat and folding front passenger seat down for long loads and up to 72 cubic-feet of bulk space.  There’s plenty of storage under the load floor, too

It’s an incredibly versatile vehicle, but like most Volvos it’s not cheap. The XC70 carries a base price of $37,520. Our extremely well-equipped test car goes for $44,065.

The 2008 Volvo XC70 truly is much more than just another all-wheel drive car. For adventurous family types, it’s the do-it-all crossover wagon that can securely take them to work, to school, and as far away from home as they may ever want to go.