Volvo V70 (07 on) - Review

The V70 is roomier than before with almost an extra inch of leg room for those in the back. Volvo's seats tend to be among the most comfortable you'll find in any car and the V70 is no exception. The rear bench splits 40/20/40, so the centre seat, where the armrest is, isn't really as comfortable as the outer two, but is fine for short journeys with three in the back. The exceptionally smooth and refined ride makes this a great long distance car, helped by minimal road and wind noise. A 'Clean Zone Interior Package' is available, which has been recommended by the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association. Although the interior materials have been selected to give off minimal levels of harmful substances, when the car is unlocked using the remote, the passenger compartment is automatically ventilated for about a minute. One rather annoying feature is the manual adjustment for the lumbar support which is buried deep between the side of the seat and the centre armrest making it very awkward to adjust.

The V70 isn't the largest estate you can buy, but the luggage area is generous and many practical features are included as standard. Maximum luggage capacity is 1,600 litres with the rear seats folded, which is a few hundred litres shy of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class estate but with its near vertical tailgate and wide opening the V70 is still very useful. The boot floor is equipped with aluminium rails and movable anchor points while multifunctional rails, dividers and straps are available to keep luggage and loads secure and prevent them from sliding around. There is also a large lockable stowage area under the boot floor which is ideal for keeping valuable items hidden. Elsewhere a sliding load floor is available as an accessory which slots into the existing rails and slides out over the rear bumper for more convenient loading. An electric tailgate can also be chosen as an option. An electronic parking brake is fitted across the range which disengages automatically when the driver begins to accelerate from rest.

The V70 dashboard has a more subtle, curvier design than before and also features the 'floating' centre console between the dashboard and centre console, a feature that has become a trademark of Volvo interiors. The finish and quality of the materials used is excellent while the classy design is typically Swedish with a minimalist, understated look. If satellite navigation is chosen, the screen pops up from the top of the dashboard with finger-tip controls for the driver behind the steering wheel and a remote control for operation by passengers. Visibility is good, and the V70 can also be specified with Volvo's 'Blindspot Information System' (BLIS), carried over from the previous V70, which illuminates a warning light near the door mirror when there is a vehicle in the blindspot. The seats are incredibly cosseting, but they do lack side support so it can feel like you're sitting on them rather than in them, which is far from ideal on tight and twisting roads.