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2008 Volvo V70 Safety Review

July 22, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

World-Class Safety Innovations
Kelley Blue Book

impressive docket of standard and optional safety features
Edmunds

Volvo's hallmark has been and remains safety
Cars.com

more high-strength steel and improved side-impact reinforcement
Motor Trend

The 2008 Volvo V70 is loaded with safety features both active and passive, though crash-test scores are not yet available.

Car and Driver makes note of the S80 platform lying beneath the new V70, which “means the same crash structure and the same safety equipment: front, side, and curtain airbags; anti-whiplash headrests; and panic brake assist.” Also standard are traction and stability control.

Of the optional safety features, Edmunds feels they “are essentially designed to save drivers from themselves.” Those optional features include BLIS (blind-spot warning system), vehicle distance alert, and lane-departure warning system. And finally, there is the optional Personal Car Communicator included with keyless entry, which saves drivers from vehicular intruders by alerting them of a heartbeat pumping in their parked car.

Cars.com notes “the sides of the vehicle have been made stronger with high-tensile steel to help better withstand impact.” Kelley Blue Book touts the V70’s “powerful four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes” that “incorporate both Electronic Brake Assistance and anti-fade compensation circuitry.”

Motor Trend feels that “the biggest innovation” is the pair of integrated second-row child safety seats “designed to keep children in a booster seat for as long as possible.” With the advent of this V70, Volvo is now worried about even the pedestrians; Road & Track points out the inclusion of “a soft structure ahead of the front bumper” to help reduce leg injuries.

Conclusion

The 2008 Volvo V70 hasn’t been crash-tested, but it shares the strong body and extensive safety features of the Volvo S80.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:World-Class Safety InnovationsKelley Blue Bookimpressive docket of standard and optional safety featuresEdmundsVolvo's hallmark has been and remains safetyCars.commore high-strength steel and improved side-impact reinforcementMotor Trend The 2008 Volvo V70 is loaded with safety features both active and passive, though crash-test scores are not yet available. Car and Driver makes note of the S80 platform lying beneath the new V70, which “means the same crash structure and the same safety equipment: front, side, and curtain airbags; anti-whiplash headrests; and panic brake assist.” Also standard are traction and stability control. Of the optional safety features, Edmunds feels they “are essentially designed to save drivers from themselves.” Those optional features include BLIS (blind-spot warning system), vehicle distance alert, and lane-departure warning system. And finally, there is the optional Personal Car Communicator included with keyless entry, which saves drivers from vehicular intruders by alerting them of a heartbeat pumping in their parked car. Cars.com notes “the sides of the vehicle have been made stronger with high-tensile steel to help better withstand impact.” Kelley Blue Book touts the V70’s “powerful four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes” that “incorporate both Electronic Brake Assistance and anti-fade compensation circuitry.” Motor Trend feels that “the biggest innovation” is the pair of integrated second-row child safety seats “designed to keep children in a booster seat for as long as possible.” With the advent of this V70, Volvo is now worried about even the pedestrians; Road & Track points out the inclusion of “a soft structure ahead of the front bumper” to help reduce leg injuries. ConclusionThe 2008 Volvo V70 hasn’t been crash-tested, but it shares the strong body and extensive safety features of the Volvo S80.  2008 VOLVO V70 STYLING | [8 out of 10] Car and Driver: “the V70’s looks are underwhelmingly pleasant” Kelley Blue Book: “a more contemporary appearance” Edmunds:  “unmistakable Swedish style” Cars.com: “simple, clutter-free dashboard” ConsumerGuide: “Gauges are large, clearly marked, ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Nearly all of the V70’s wagon rivals come from other European automakers, and nearly all offer performance that’s livelier than that of the 2008 Volvo V70. The Passat is considerably more affordable than the V70, and very fuel efficient when equipped with the standard 2.0T engine, while the A6 Avant and 9-5 SportCombi both have a sportier feel behind the wheel than the V70 without being much worse in ride comfort. At the far end of the comparison is the larger Mercedes E-Class, which as a wagon only comes in all-wheel-drive E350 4Matic form or as the high-performance E63 AMG. Both models are considerably more expensive than the V70 without being much roomier inside. The V70’s interior is the real differentiator versus its rivals; its look and feel is refreshingly different, and the backseat design is easier to fold down than in most other wagons.

Next Steps:

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See the Volvo V70 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998

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