Volvo has long held a reputation for producing very safe cars and the V70 was awarded the maximum five star rating for adult occupant safety in Euro NCAP crash tests, along with four stars for child safety. New features on this model include optional integrated booster cushions in the rear, which can be set at two heights. Safety technology also includes head restraints better able to reduce the risk of whiplash injury in rear impacts, better energy absorbing properties at the front of the car to reduce the extent of injuries to pedestrians and cyclists, pre-tensioners on all five seatbelts and use of ultra-high-strength steel in the door beams.

Customers can also choose adaptive cruise control with collision warning and brake support (alerting the driver when approach speeds towards obstacles ahead could lead to a crash), laminated glass all round and Volvo’s ‘Personal Car Communicator’ built into the key fob which alerts the driver when approaching the car if the alarm has been triggered and if there is someone still inside the car thanks to a heartbeat sensor.

Adaptive cruise control with a collision warning is also optional.

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.