XC70 is surefooted estate alternative

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Introduction

The Volvo XC70 occupies the middle ground between executive estates and large SUVs, so it has a lot to live up to in order to take sales away from either sector. Part of Volvo's strategy is to offer the same spacious, versatile cabin as the regular V70 estate. However, the XC also comes with traction-giving four-wheel drive as standard. It's no off-roader, but it does take the fight to large SUVs with the way it drives on-road, while the punchy turbodiesel offers a good balance between economy and performance.

What are its rivals?

Sitting in the middle of two very talented classes, the XC70 has many rivals. However, its direct competition comes from the Audi A6 allroad and Subaru Outback. The Audi is more expensive than the Swede and has an even narrower appeal. That said, allroad owners love their cars and appreciate its granite-tough build and huge load bay, while diesel engines are the most popular and sensible engines. The Subaru is a cheaper alternative to the Volvo but no less worthy for that. Forget the petrol options and go for the fine new 2.0-litre turbodiesel that provides excellent economy and emissions, and pretty fine performance too. It's got Subaru's all-wheel drive and as much off-road ability as the XC70. From a broader pool, the XC's other rivals are the Land Rover Discovery - which is supreme off-road and mighty fine on it - and Volvo's very own V70. The V70 is a great estate car, cheaper than the XC70 like-for-like and a touch more frugal. Splitting the two Volvos comes down to personal preference.

How does it drive?

The XC70 is a big softy in most situations. Its suspension manages well on the motorway, where it cruises with impressive refinement compared to most SUVs. Push on through country lane corners and there's a fair degree of lean, but no more so than you would expect of an SUV, yet it grips with tenacity thanks to the four-wheel drive. Throw in some slimy wet leaves or snow and the XC70 is stable and sure-footed, even if its steering feels too light and short on sensation. In town, the ride is not so settled and nit-picks at small dips and ridges that most estate cars simply sashay over without paying them any heed. Volvo's five-cylinder D5 turbodiesel has never been the most refined engine and it's beginning to feel its age now. There's always a tell-tale hint of diesel grumble, even when cruising on the motorway and it's markedly worse if you ask the engine to pick up the revs when some extra momentum is desired. Fortunately, wind and road noise are successfully quelled, so the XC70's cabin remains a pleasantly comfortable one in which to complete any journey. Performance is decent without being remarkable, while the automatic gearbox fitted to Geartronic models strolls through its six speeds in a polished, relaxed manner.

What's impressive?

Open up the tailgate and you're confronted with one of the best boot spaces in the world. If we were luggage, this is where we'd want to be. Volvo has thought through every detail, maximising space and usefulness with a flat load floor, wheelarches that don't intrude unnecessarily and rear seats that are simplicity itself to fold flat in an instant. With as much as 1,800-litres of cargo capacity on offer, the XC70 is more than up to the task of carting goods from here to there with classy ease. It's also great for towing thanks to a hefty upper limit of 2,100kg with a braked trailer, while the standard four-wheel drive helps with traction when leaving slippery farm tracks or junctions.

What's not?

The five-cylinder D5 turbodiesel may be on a par with most rivals when it comes to fuel consumption, returning a combined average of 34.0mpg, but its emissions mark it down. Where a Subaru Outback produces just 153g/km of carbon dioxide, the XC70 churns out 219g/km when equipped with the automatic gearbox. Even if you stick with the standard six-speed manual gearbox, emissions still weigh in at 199g/km, which will hit owners in the pocket when it comes to stumping up for road tax every year.

Should I buy one?

There's a lot to like about the Volvo XC70: its space, superb build, decent equipment roster and relaxed nature. The only problem is that all of this can be found in the near identical and cheaper V70 estate. However, if you need four-wheel drive for traversing mucky tracks or hauling a trailer, the XC will do all of this while still providing executive class comfort. Only the ageing D5 turbodiesel really lets the side down due to its shortfall on refinement and emissions.

Alisdair Suttie