This 2007 Volvo XC70 D5 Proves *ALMOST* Nobody Needs an SUV: Review & Drive 

wow. Truly a volvo.

I'm thankful you're still with us!!

@Pollywog well at least he didn't claim gods or fairies saved him. It is an unfalsifiable statement. I would prefer to have a Volvo over any other 2007 car if I was to "barrel down a ravine". What got you so flustered?

Why would cut off the roof if all the doors opened ok?

@@jonathanmillmore7756 there could be internal injuries that will be made worse if the occupants simply opened the doors and tried to move.

Yes because the 2016 model looks almost exactly the same.

Absolutely agree. Still great looking today.

bender@@detonator2112

The 2nd generation of the V70 still looks great today, too.

Why don't other car manufacturers just copy Volvo's seats?

Yes. I drive my Volvos 5h+ some times and seats are fantastic.

@@RadioactiveSaddam For me the same, i love volvos full leather seats, so comfortable and soft, even in a back seat. Used to try out some BMWs Audis, VW, but no, no no no ....i cant sit in those wooden benches after hard days work, only volvo.

I actually really dislike the seats, they are not comfortable for me - have to stop every hour or my backside goes to sleep....

They are designed with orthopedic surgeons involved

And this was even after Ford started to f**k with Volvo. I have a P2 XC70, the last platform developed before the buyout...even it has a few cheap components I'm sure were due to Ford's mettling. I'm so glad Geely is giving the Swedes free reign and Ford didn't finish killing Volvo like GM killed Saab.

@@alc.8415 I have a -01 V70 2.4 automatic (170hp version with factory sat nav, bluetooth and touch screen stereo originally built for the police and military). Volvo was owned by Ford, even back then, but Ford hadn't put their noses where they didn't belong yet. It's very comfortable (even though driver side seat heater doesn't work anymore after 350 000km and the AC only has two modes now, icy cold or bloody hot), spacious (even though there's so much trash and garbage in it that it might be confused with a garbage truck), very good sound (I also have a 12" subwoofer in the trunk), very durable (Previous owner got hit by a KIA Ceed on the left side just in front of the tail light at 35km/h and it only got a dent and some paint came loose. The KIA was scrapped because it had no insurance and repairing the entire front, changing the radiator and fan and left driving axle would have cost too much) and handles quite well for a car that's a year older than me.

3rd row seats are terrific for children.

I have a 2007 C70 which is like driving an armchair and great fun with the roof down in cooler weather because of the super heated seats.

Isnt the awd system in these Volvos pretty poor and prone to broke? But otherwise pretty good cars.

Older cars were just better, not built by number men like now. I think 2006 was the last time good cars were made

Agreed

Definitely affordable. These older volvos didn't feel cheap

@@ChrisNole_ So much was sacrificed to make them so good! It was a kind of art! However, in the long run, I guess it ended up costing the manufacturers quite a lot!

@@chappy2121 when computer simulations started to get advanced, that was the end of over-engineering that these types of cars are so beloved for. It started to creep in in the mid 2000s, so you’re right. Today they build them as strong as they need to be, and stop there. Before that, it was a guessing game to a degree, and the good brands like Volvo err’d way on the safe side. We will never see cars like this again, and that makes me sad. And don’t even get me started on digital dashboards and touchscreens in cars. Absolutely awful.

@@needadrinknow did you buy a Merc? Avoid DPF fitted diesels unless you do long journeys regularly (applies to all diesels not just Merc/ volvo- in Europe they became mandatory in 2008 but some earlier cars have them too). In older cars a DPF failure can be more than the value of the car. Also be suspicious of low mileage older diesels, they may have spent long periods in workshops instead of driving!

@@needadrinknow I've worked in the trade and owned a few lemons in my time!

I really like them too. Every time I see one, particularly an XC70, I can't help but think the person behind the wheel is a respectable member of society for some reason. I can't imagine a bad person driving an XC70.

A V70 or V60 has better handling.

@@angela1984a Of course they have. Altough the XC70 handles much better than the V90cc.

@@Zec3 Compare the XC70 to the V70 and the V90cc to the V90.

I had a Volvo 740 about 30 years ago. The seats were the most comfortable ever.

What real world mpg are you getting with the D5?

Reassuring to hear - looking at one tonight.

Exactly, personally I’ve always said Volvo is one of the few brands that has never truly made a bad car, just my opinion. Also I love the V70R AWD, have you shimmed the block, I hear that’s necessary for reliability.

@@zensmylie5393 I haven't shimmed it, but that's because my model is the 1990s first generation R with the thicker cylinder walls... so it doesn't need it until you really start pushing the engine. 1995-1999 models used 2.3L engines, model year 2000 used a 2.4L. The 2004-2007 2nd generation R had a 2.5L engine with thin walls, which were prone to cracking when adding too much boost (without shimming).

Ahh right, I’ll bear that in mind as I would love a Volvo probably as my second car realistically and I’d really like something awd so the V70R awd seemed like a good idea but I was concerned about reliability. Now that you’ve told me that though I’ll keep a look out for an earlier model, they look better imo anyway. Cheers 👍🏼

My wife describes it as 'driving with Greta' ...

The D5 is a great engine though. Easy 200+ hp with a remap and the torque is insane. I have a 2003 S60 D5 and it's a blast to drive. I just wish it was RWD like my 940

before production moved to china

@@midgravenot all volvos are built in china,anyway they are proven to have some of the most efficient production lines on the planet.Whats your problem with china?

Or crossovers, which have all those downsides without the off-road prowess

I disagree. My wife has a CRV. I had an S80 (V8) which is similar in size to this XC70 interior wise. Yet XC70 is far bigger outside and as not as easy to manouvre.

@Julian Evans I agree. I hate SUVs with a passion. People say “I need an SUV to feel safe”. Yes only to protect you from another SUV, becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. I never feel safe in an SUV, sitting that high up.

Sparky always think the “I feel safe” line is a great one, easy answer, drive better. The irony is that 9 times out of 10 if there is somebody driving badly they will be in a Qashqai or a Juke!

@@kirbyswarp Yup, I'd include crossovers. Pointless.

Fine if you like the rear passenger facing out the back of the motor...doesn't strike me as safe if you get rear ended

@@bossman6496 Except we have safety standards. You can't sell a car if it isn't safe.

Glad you enjoyed it!

No no they drive terribly and feel horrendous! Let's drop the prices on them!

Those V8 S80’s are insanely rare in the UK! You are very lucky to have such a beast

Email him. We need to see these.

Yes!

Before my 2012 XC70 D5 I had a 2012 320D 180hp. I loved the BMW performance. It was fast after I chipped it to 215hp. But I needed a car that would perform well in the mud - and still look great if it got dirty.

I never got the point of not having a wagon. Why dragging that extra empty space above the boot up with a sedan, the car is just as long, just has less storage space, just a waste.

@DS H BMW are not great at estate cars, Volvo and Mercedes estates both have a lot more practicality built in, little touches and the overall shape of the inside tend to be more usable in my experience.

Wait till things start going wrong, very expensive

I recently bought exactly the same (auto). First impressions - it's so much better than our previous car (an SUV) in every area. Rides and handles MUCH better, quieter, faster and more economical. More usable interior space due to long load area. SUVs are a auto-maker marketing con in my view. We have a Nissan Leaf EV for the short urban trips.

Not going crazy at all David

I have a mk2 V70 D5 AWD. It has 575k km now and still completely working. My next car will probably be just a newer V70 or S80.

In 6 years with my series 3 V70 i have never needed the added weight, complexity or repair costs of the 4 wheel drive, Let alone the grip.

Great to know - looking at a 2009 version of this tonight.

I also have a xc70 t6. It has 290kkm and i feel it needs new suspensions. Can you tell more about the bilstein upgrade. Just shocks or spring also? Is any lower? Thanks.