XC70: General From V70 to XC70

[Tatsfield]

Just seen this after being away. I bought my '12 XC70 to replace a Peugeot V6 406 Coupe so if there was going to be any power/ride/steering shortfall I was really going to notice it.

After making allowance for changing from a GT car with a petrol engine to a AWD X-Country vehicle, I can say that with the "Advanced" setting on the variable suspension, the car handles as well as I need for all my travel needs and I was used to having a car that could be thrown at bends at speed.

The 5 cyl diesel engine is as powerful as my previous V6 petrol and has oodles more torque so accelerates as fast and takes to car to speeds I really don't need, or shouldn't use. It is however much noisier. The engine can be heard in the cabin while petrol engines, especially big ones, tend to be very quiet.

The ride is quite firm in the "Advanced" mode which I use at all times except when traversing very poor ground our negotiating speed bumps. The AWD makes the car very sure footed on slippery ground, although the 4506C did have a very clever traction control system for icy ropads that made it very sure footed but you did have to select it specially while the XC70 AWD is permanently engaged.

The only shortfall I have noticed is in the auto box which was far more intelligent on the 406C which had a German ZX box and enabled you to immediately drop gears for deceleration when selecting the "Sports" mode. The Volvo's Japanese AW Geartronic does not do this and the box only catches up with a slower road speed after braking which isn't the same as using engine braking instead of brakes.

This may not help in considering a change from a V70 to an XC70 but it does go a long way to showing that the car isn't totally agricultural, except for the engine and your V70 seems to have had this engine anyway.

[apersson850]

My gearbox does indeed shift down, if I engage S mode. I frequently use it for additional engine braking, if I encounter steep downhills. That happened a lot when I was driving in Britain a few years ago.
Well, it doesn't do it at very high speeds, but at least up to 100 km/h or so.

The last few months I've driven the same tour, about 1000 km, with my XC70 and one rented XC60 (2015). The XC70 was noticeably more comfortable during such a ride.

[Bioly1975]

Originally Posted by Puffster

Not owned both but have driven a number of S80s/V70s.

The ride is much smoother than either of the above. Less jaring over road imperfections, less bangs/crashes, feels less firm but no loss of road holding.

It is really comfortable and less tiring to drive. I regularly drive 4 hours+ at a stretch and you get out the other end markedly less stressed or battered.

AWD is useful. Extra vision height also useful.

totally agree with you

[apersson850]

A minor detail, which is only available in XC70 with AWD (not V70 AWD), is the HDC. Not that I'm on steep hills that often, but I've found that Hill descent control is very smooth to use when reversing with a trailer attached. The less abrupt throttle response makes careful manouvering easier. I use it all the time I mess around with a trailer.

[SignumGB]

When I went to buy my first Volvo, I test drove both the V70 and XC70. In the XC70 I felt invincible! Let alone the AWD capability.

I will also be giving mine the Polestar treatment at some point.

[mhon72]

Originally Posted by SignumGB

When I went to buy my first Volvo, I test drove both the V70 and XC70. In the XC70 I felt invincible! Let alone the AWD capability.

I will also be giving mine the Polestar treatment at some point.

Agree with you on all those points.