Volvo V70 2.4 D SE estate
Volvo V70 2.4 D SE estate
What is it?
Say ‘Volvo’ and most people think ‘large estate car’.
The new Volvo V70 continues the breed’s reputation for ample load space and logical design. This latest generation is based on the platform which also underpins the Volvo S80 and the Ford Mondeo.
What’s hot?
- Shares its front half with the big S80 saloon, so feels grand
- Load bay is big enough to take a washing machine in its packaging…
- …and without folding the seats
- Load bay has clever dividers and net options to hold luggage
- Laptop storage under boot floor can’t be opened unless tailgate is open
- Rear seats have optional built-in, two-stage booster cushions
- Comfortable ride, fluid handling, pleasing steering
- Relaxed, airy ‘Scandinavian’ feel to interior design
- Five- and six-cylinder engines, even entry 2.5T plenty powerful enough
- Four-wheel drive versions available
What’s not?
- D5 turbodiesel not the quietest
- No manual option for T6 turbo and 3.2 six-cylinder engines
- Looks disturbingly like the previous model
Business Car Manager road test verdict
Unlike some rivals, the Volvo is a useful estate car first, a lifestyle statement second. But it’s good to drive, too, and as ever a Volvo estate car is a welcome, high-quality and quite good-value alternative to the status-heavy German brands. There’s an XC70 off-roader version, too, of surprising ability.
