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2009 Volvo XC70 Quality Review

May 30, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

plenty of headroom and legroom, even for taller occupants
ConsumerGuide

enough room to fit a go-kart
Road & Track

noticeably quieter [interior] than those of more traditional SUVs
Popular Mechanics

Superb seat comfort
Edmunds

luxurious premium-brand panache
Kelley Blue Book

The 2009 Volvo XC70 excels in creature comforts, and has impressive fit and finish.

Popular Mechanics is “most impressed by the interior, which was noticeably quieter than those of more traditional SUVs and even than that of the last-generation XC70.” “Even better,” Popular Mechanics declares, “is the handsome layout of the instrument panel, with its sweeping horizontal lines, precisely placed controls and easy-to-read instruments.” The only real negative seems to be “the hard plastic against which our knees would bang while driving,” laments Autoblog, whose editors quip that the S80 uses more plush materials in that particular portion of the interior. The XC70 is convincing as a luxury car and, at an entry point of around $36,000, yields impressive value to boot. ConsumerGuide remarks that “cabin materials are padded and/or nicely grained where it matters most,” “gauges are large, clearly marked, and easy to read,” and “assembly quality is first rate.” Kelley Blue Book reports “engine noise and vibration are barely detectable from inside the car.”

Autoblog praises the chairs, saying, “Our XC70's dark brown leather seats were among the more pleasant in which we've sat, with ample bolstering and thigh support." ConsumerGuide declares that the front buckets have “plenty of headroom and legroom, even for taller occupants.” “Both the driver and front passenger seats are exceptionally comfortable,” says Cars.com. ConsumerGuide agrees, commenting that the leather seating and real wood trim of the premium package “impart a convincing luxury feel.”

In the cargo area, aluminum rails on the floor offer attachment points where items can be secured in place, reports Popular Mechanics. Road & Track giddily proclaims, “Check out the Volvo’s 33.3 cu.-ft. of rear storage volume—even with the seats filled! Fold down the second row of seats and you’ll get…enough room to fit a go-kart.” ConsumerGuide is a little more subdued, saying the rear seat offers “decent space for two adults, but three abreast seating is best reserved for quick trips. Under-seat foot space is tight, compromising comfort when the front seats are too far back.” The space efficiency and utility of the second row and rear of the XC70 receives accolades. Volvo wagons have been swallowing astonishing amounts of oddly shaped cargo since the '70s, and it seems the XC70 builds upon this tradition. Cars.com attests that “the XC70’s rear seats fold down flat with one easy motion” and “the load floor's low height also makes everyday tasks like loading and unloading groceries or luggage much easier to handle.” When its seats are folded into the floor, the XC70 offers up to “an SUV-like 72 ft. of cargo space," states Popular Mechanics.

Conclusion

Conceivably doubling as a high-end Swedish furniture gallery, the 2009 Volvo XC70’s interior hits a home run with reviewers.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:plenty of headroom and legroom, even for taller occupantsConsumerGuideenough room to fit a go-kartRoad & Tracknoticeably quieter [interior] than those of more traditional SUVsPopular MechanicsSuperb seat comfortEdmundsluxurious premium-brand panacheKelley Blue Book The 2009 Volvo XC70 excels in creature comforts, and has impressive fit and finish. Popular Mechanics is “most impressed by the interior, which was noticeably quieter than those of more traditional SUVs and even than that of the last-generation XC70.” “Even better,” Popular Mechanics declares, “is the handsome layout of the instrument panel, with its sweeping horizontal lines, precisely placed controls and easy-to-read instruments.” The only real negative seems to be “the hard plastic against which our knees would bang while driving,” laments Autoblog, whose editors quip that the S80 uses more plush materials in that particular portion of the interior. The XC70 is convincing as a luxury car and, at an entry point of around $36,000, yields impressive value to boot. ConsumerGuide remarks that “cabin materials are padded and/or nicely grained where it matters most,” “gauges are large, clearly marked, and easy to read,” and “assembly quality is first rate.” Kelley Blue Book reports “engine noise and vibration are barely detectable from inside the car.” Autoblog praises the chairs, saying, “Our XC70's dark brown leather seats were among the more pleasant in which we've sat, with ample bolstering and thigh support." ConsumerGuide declares that the front buckets have “plenty of headroom and legroom, even for taller occupants.” “Both the driver and front passenger seats are exceptionally comfortable,” says Cars.com. ConsumerGuide agrees, commenting that the leather seating and real wood trim of the premium package “impart a convincing luxury feel.” In the cargo area, aluminum rails on the floor offer attachment points where items can be secured in place, reports Popular Mechanics. Road & Track giddily proclaims, “Check out the Volvo’s 33.3 cu.-ft. of rear storage volume—even with the seats filled! Fold down the second row of seats and you’ll get…enough room to fit a go-kart.” ConsumerGuide is a little more subdued, saying the rear seat offers “decent space for two adults, but three abreast seating is best reserved for quick trips. Under-seat foot space is tight, compromising comfort when the front seats are too far back.” The space efficiency and utility of the second row and rear of the XC70 receives accolades. Volvo wagons have been swallowing astonishing amounts of oddly shaped cargo since the '70s, and it seems the XC70 builds upon this tradition. Cars.com attests that “the XC70’s rear seats fold down flat with one easy motion” and “the load floor's low height also makes everyday tasks like loading and unloading groceries or luggage much easier to handle.” When its seats are folded into the floor, the XC70 offers up to “an SUV-like 72 ft. of cargo space," states Popular Mechanics. ConclusionConceivably doubling as a high-end Swedish furniture gallery, the 2009 Volvo XC70’s interior hits a home run with reviewers.  2009 VOLVO XC70 STYLING | [8 out of 10] MotherProof.com: “looks a little more manly than it did before” Cars.com: “Certainly more interesting to look at than past versions” Autoblog: “less chunky and cheap in its updated form” Kelley Blue Book: “one of the most elegant and comfortable ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

Alternatives to the XC70 are mid-size crossover vehicles—those that pair the tall body of an SUV with the underpinnings of a car, such as the Lexus RX 350 and Acura MDX. The RX 350 and MDX are both very refined with a smooth ride and good handling; the MDX feels a little sportier behind the wheel, while the RX 350 is the choice for those looking for high-tech features. All of the vehicles mentioned have very good results in crash tests, with the MDX designated an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2009. The 2009 Volvo XC70 is also very similar in size to Subaru’s Outback, another wagon that adds ground clearance and enough off-road ability for deep snow or rutted trails. Compared to the XC70, the Outback starts at a much more affordable price, and while its base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine provides only modest performance, the Outback feels sportier than the XC70 with either the turbocharged or six-cylinder engine.

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See the Volvo XC70 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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