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Towing with an XC70, reviewer hated itViews : 6018 Replies : 23Users Viewing This Thread : |
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Jul 4th, 2017, 10:59 | #1 |
Member
Last Online: Aug 2nd, 2023 09:06
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Warrington
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Towing with an XC70, reviewer hated it
Thinking of replacing my V70 with an XC70 AWD, had a drive in one last week and liked it. I tow a 1300kg caravan (loaded) and had a look at the Practical Caravan video review of the XC70. They did not like it at all !. Do Itake a risk and buy an XC70 or play it safe and go elsewhere. I need an estate car not an SUV because I carry bikes and kayaks on the roof and an XC60 is just too high.
So, if you tow with an XC70 what do you think of it ? I love my V70 and am reluctant to buy other than Volvo but I do need a good tow car |
Jul 4th, 2017, 12:00 | #2 |
Master Member
Last Online: Jun 23rd, 2022 22:07
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: chesterfield
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what did they dislike about it as a tow car? I dont use mine for towing but did used to tow and still take an interest in what people are using and XC70 seems pretty popular as a tow vehicle...
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Jul 4th, 2017, 12:20 | #3 |
XC70 SE lux D5
Last Online: May 7th, 2024 08:57
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mansfield, notts
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Having driven both the V70AWD and the XC70, the XC70 does feel more floaty over bumpy roads and rolls a lot more on twisty roads if you have a spirited driving style.
but I found the XC70 more comfortable over all the potholed roads in notts/derby. Having do some towing with the XC70 found the nivomat rear shocks kept the car level and it handled the load car trailer effortlessly. At the end of the day its what you think that's important for every person that you find that does not like the XC70 you will find some one that does. |
Jul 4th, 2017, 13:45 | #4 |
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Last Online: Aug 2nd, 2023 09:06
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Warrington
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I cant find the video now but the written review only gave it 1 star (out of 5)
Pity you cant do a towing test drive, solo the car drove much as expected |
Jul 4th, 2017, 14:53 | #5 |
Master Member
Last Online: Apr 24th, 2024 20:45
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Chesterfield
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I'm new to Volvo ownership having just purchased a 2015 XC70 D5 Auto AWD. It has the non self levelling rear suspension.
I always tow with a 4wd vehicle. I like the smug feeling when I rescue our friends from snow or mud in winter. I tow a 1500kg single axle caravan which I have just towed to Cornwall & back. Having previously had a sport saloon with very hard suspension I actually found the more supple XC70 suspension to be a boon yet it was firm enough that my nose weight of 80kgs plus the weight of food and dog in the rear did not cause rear sag or excess bounce. Then the legendary D5 and auto box with sport mode. Awesome. Hills ? What hills ? Fuel wise we made 31mpg on the way home yesterday and I wasn't hanging about. It was quite windy on the M5 which the XC70 dealt with easily. Reviews in magazines can be biased especially when a vehicle tested is not from the VAG group. I like mine. You may or may not like it. HTH Cheers Dave |
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Jul 4th, 2017, 20:07 | #6 |
Bungling Amateur
Last Online: Today 23:04
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Beverley, East Yorks
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I'm guessing you mean this review:
https://www.practicalcaravan.com/rev...lvo-xc70-d5-se If you Google "Practical Caravan Volvo XC70" the results list it as a 1 star review but the article says 3 out of 5. They like the towing performance and practicality but criticise the handling. What did they expect for a proper AWD ruggedised conversion of a domestic estate? Loads of people on here buy them specifically for towing and are very happy. If the handling puts you off then look for one with the 4C chassis, but for towing the self leveling Nivomats are brilliant and really sort it out (I don't think you can have 4C and Nivomats)
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Dec 15th, 2017, 21:13 | #7 |
Junior Member
Last Online: May 23rd, 2020 19:50
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ABERGAVENNY
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Xc70
HI. I have towed with an xc70 53 reg since 2010. It s a 163 but i have up graded it to 180. The van is 1600kgs. it tow's superb so don't know what the practical caravan are on about.On run from EDINBURGH to CHESTER last sept i averaged at 60mph 37mpg. It is a gtronic 4 wheel drive.Believe you me you will not be disapointed. On the open road at 70mph i average 53/54mpg The car has 195000 to date. Oil is changed at 10000 i do not use supermarket fuel. Acceleration is superb
get in touch tony bevan. |
Dec 29th, 2017, 21:08 | #8 |
Monster Raving Loony
Last Online: Nov 12th, 2018 20:03
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: hitchin
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What upgrade did you use ? Seems to work wonders.
Are those fuel figures real or from the cars computer ? Computer lies by 20% or more in my limited experience.
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1994 850 2.0 bought at 32,000 miles used daily now 45,000. Still like a nearly-new car 2004 filthy polluting diesel VW |
Dec 31st, 2017, 07:27 | #9 |
Master Member
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Amazes me these review sometimes, we tow with a 2004 D5 manual sport pre dpf, 163bhp, as I've eluded to on another thread we do circa 2.5 towing yearly with our 26ft twin axle van, albeit a light van for the size coming in at 1600kg loaded, the D5 is perfect, it has even got us out the mire en route to Cornwall for new year when we were stuck on the A34 near Newbury for 4 hours as the snow came down and the road was blocked with stuck cars, vans and lorries, the D5 dragged us through with relative ease, no winter tyres on the old girl either, it's spacious if a little short of leg room in the rear but I'm driving so I don't mind!!
I tow at 60mph all day long up hill and down dale, never misses a beat even in adverse weather and strong winds, no tail wagging the dog here, that said never underestimate a well packed car and caravan and running correct tyre pressures, 30mpg return with a van and 42 around town solo, on a run solo we get early to mid 50s I can only image the XC being even better to tow with! |
Jan 26th, 2018, 13:20 | #10 |
Junior Member
Last Online: Oct 29th, 2018 13:10
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ascot
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I have a 2010 (2011 model year) XC70 SE premium D5 AWD geartronic. It's simply great for towing. I get around 28 mpg towing and around 32 mpg not towing. My caravan is a small Silver caravan, small and light. I am of course disappointed with the fuel consumption, and even more disappointed that the trip computer lies about the average mpg, by a very consistent amount. Car manufacturers are not saints, that's for sure. But as a tow car, it's superb. No complaints. Reliability is another matter.
I love the Hill Descent Control. Great for moving off / on a wet grassy field. I also like the Geartronic "manual" setting, for holding say 3rd gear going up hairpin bends in French or Spanish mountains. How are you getting on with yours? |
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