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Volvo V70 Estate (2000-2007) boot space, practicality and safety

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Practicality rating: 4.5 out of 54.5

Written by Keith Adams Updated: 20 June 2025

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.

Euro NCAP rating

Ratings for this model not available

Equipment and options

Each trim level will have different equipment offerings.
Basic equipment (16)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • ABS
  • Alarm
  • Audio remote
  • Driver`s airbag
  • Electric mirrors
  • Folding rear seats
  • Front electric windows
  • Heated mirrors
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • PAS
  • Passenger`s airbag
  • Remote locking
  • Side airbags
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
Standard Trim Standard Equipment (4)
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Rear electric windows
  • Roof rails
  • Space saver spare wheel
Standard Trim Optional Equipment (18)
  • Air conditioning
  • Alloy wheels
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD Multichanger
  • Climate control
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Cruise control
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Front fog lights
  • Headlight washers
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Service indicator
  • Sports seats
  • Steel wheels
  • Traction control
S Standard Equipment (6)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Cruise control
  • Roof rails
S Optional Equipment (11)
  • Air conditioning
  • Climate control
  • Front fog lights
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Rear electric windows
  • Service indicator
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Traction control
SE Standard Equipment (7)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Climate control
  • Cruise control
  • Front fog lights
  • Leather seat trim
  • Roof rails
SE Optional Equipment (10)
  • CD
  • CD Multichanger
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Lumbar support
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Rear electric windows
  • Service indicator
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Traction control
SE Lux Standard Equipment (13)
  • Alloy wheels
  • CD Multichanger
  • Climate control
  • Cruise control
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Front fog lights
  • Headlight washers
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Roof rails
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Traction control
SE Lux Optional Equipment (7)
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Lumbar support
  • Parking sensors
  • Sat Nav
  • Service indicator
  • TV
SE Ocean Race Standard Equipment (14)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD Multichanger
  • Climate control
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Cruise control
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Front fog lights
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Roof rails
  • Service indicator
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Traction control
SE Ocean Race Optional Equipment (4)
  • CD
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Rear electric windows
SE Sport Standard Equipment (12)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD Multichanger
  • Climate control
  • Cruise control
  • Electric driver`s seat
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Roof rails
  • Service indicator
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Traction control
SE Sport Optional Equipment (1)
  • Front fog lights
Special Edition Sport Standard Equipment (12)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Climate control
  • Cruise control
  • Front fog lights
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Roof rails
  • Service indicator
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Traction control
Special Edition Sport Optional Equipment
  • n/a
Sport Standard Equipment (9)
  • Alloy wheels
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Climate control
  • Cruise control
  • Front fog lights
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Roof rails
  • Space saver spare wheel
Sport Optional Equipment (4)
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Lumbar support
  • Service indicator
  • Traction control
Torslanda Standard Equipment (7)
  • Air conditioning
  • Alloy wheels
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Steel wheels
Torslanda Optional Equipment
  • n/a

Dimensions

Length 4710mm - 4733mm
Width 1800mm - 2050mm
Height 1454mm - 1562mm
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