Practicality and boot space

While the V70’s boxy silhouette and upright tailgate suggested enormous carrying capacity, the reality was more modest. Boot space was competitive for the class, but not class-leading – and rivals like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate or even the Vauxhall Vectra Estate offered a little more outright volume. That said, the V70 remained a supremely useful load-lugger for most users.

Features such as a shopping bag holder helped keep groceries in place, and a 12-volt socket in the boot made powering accessories or boot lighting easy. Roof bars were standard on many models and added to the car’s versatility, allowing for bike racks or roof boxes to be fitted without fuss.

The rear seat backs could be reclined to improve comfort or increase capacity, and folded in a 60/40 split without needing to remove the headrests – a helpful touch when carrying bulky loads. The front passenger seat also folded flat, making it easier to transport long items such as planks or flat-pack furniture.

Some versions were fitted with an optional rear-facing third-row of seats, aimed at children. These were a useful occasional solution for growing families, but limited in space and practicality for regular use. Buyers needing to carry seven people more frequently would have been better served by something like Volvo’s own XC90 SUV.

Safety and security

As expected from a Volvo, the V70 offered strong safety credentials – though they weren’t class-leading by modern or even contemporary standards. In Euro NCAP crash testing, it scored four stars out of five, at a time when the very best rivals managed a full five-star rating. Standard safety equipment included driver and passenger airbags, along with a side impact protection system that featured side and curtain airbags.

Higher-spec models or those with added options could also be fitted with Volvo’s BLIS (Blind Spot Information System). This used sensors to detect traffic approaching from behind and illuminated a warning light in the door mirror if the driver indicated or moved towards an occupied lane. It was an early and useful safety aid, although rare on lower-trim or earlier cars.

Security was in line with expectations for an executive estate. All models came with a factory-fitted alarm, immobiliser and deadlocks to help deter theft. Remote central locking was standard, with most later examples also offering remote boot release and deadlock confirmation.