2006 Volvo XC70 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

XC70 adds a raised suspension and SUV-flavored appearance cues to Volvo's V70 wagon, which, in turn, shares engines and chassis with the Volvo S60 sedan. All XC70s have all-wheel drive, a 5-speed automatic, and a turbocharged, 208-hp 5-cyl engine. Traction control and ABS are standard. An antiskid system is optional. All models come with front side airbags and curtain side airbags. Dual integrated rear child seats, a rear-facing 3rd-row seat, navigation system, and rear obstacle detection are optional.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Midsize Cars sport interior dimensions similar to Midsize Cars. Premium Midsize Cars offer more luxury, performance, and prestige when compared to Midsize Cars. This segment is one of the industry's fastest-growing categories.

Our Best Buys include Acura TL, Cadillac CTS, and Infiniti M. Our Recommended picks include the Acura RL, Infiniti G35, Lexus ES 330, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

New or significantly redesigned models include Lexus GS, Lincoln Zephyr, and Mercedes-Benz CLS.

2006 Volvo XC70 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Cargo room	Navigation-system controls

Standard all-wheel drive

Front-seat comfort

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

XC70 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	6.7

Acceleration snappy once the turbo starts boosting, but suffers from nonlinear throttle response under moderate acceleration--first there's little power, then too much. AWD provides outstanding traction for slippery-surface acceleration.

Fuel Economy

XC70 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	4.6

Test XCs averaged 18.7-21.2 mpg in mixed city/highway driving. Volvo recommends premium-grade fuel for all engines.

Ride Quality

XC70 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	6.7

XC70 subject to mild wavy-road float, but overall ride is comfortable and suspension compliant.

Steering/Handling/Braking

XC70 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	7.1

Above-average roadholding and sharp steering, but XC70 leans too much in turns. One test XC70 showed mild torque-steer tug in rapid takeoffs--odd for an AWD vehicle.

Quietness

XC70 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	6.8

Volvo's 5-cyl isn't objectionably noisy, but is louder than most rival V6s. Wind noise moderate.

Controls

XC70 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	6.7

Gauges lack contrast in dim light. Dashtop navigation screen hard to read in daylight, and system's controls are on the steering wheel, inaccessible to passenger. However, navigation system doesn't incorporate audio or climate functions--a plus.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

XC70 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	7.4

Occupants coddled by Volvo's usual wide, plush seats. Ample head and leg room. High front headrests block view to back and sides, rear headrests hinder over-the-shoulder vision.

Room/Comfort (rear)

XC70 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5.5

Decent foot room and 6-footer head clearance if front seats no more than halfway back. Short cushion lacks thigh support. Shoulder width insufficient for three grown-ups. Entry/exit average.

Cargo Room

XC70 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	4

Ample and useful. Rear seat folds to make a flat, long, fairly wide deck. Optional audio system's subwoofer blocks access to under-floor spare tire.

Value within Class

XC70 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
4	5.9

Not as refined as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes competitors, and less fuel efficient than you might expect. The XC70 provides some SUV flavor without the usual SUV thirst or bulk.

Total Score

XC70 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
56	61.4

Scores for all Premium Midsize Cars

Low Score		48
Average Score		61
High Score		72

2006 Volvo XC70 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 09/22/2005

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door wagon	$35,700	$33,593	$695

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine, 5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, all-wheel drive, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, front-seat active head restraints, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, interior air filter, power steering, tilt/telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, 8-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, memory system (driver seat, mirrors), center console, cupholders, fold-flat passenger seat, split folding rear seat, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, outside-temperature indicator, intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, cargo cover, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, roof rails, front and rear fog lights, 215/65HR16 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Premium Pkg.
Base	$3,550	$3,053
Leather upholstery, 8-way power driver seat, power sunroof, wood interior trim.

Convenience Pkg.
Base	$2,015	$1,731
Rear-obstacle-detection system, 2nd-row 3-way split folding seat, power child locks, universal garage-door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror, grocery-bag holder, cargo net, cargo-area auxiliary power outlet, rear privacy glass.

Climate Pkg.
Base	$1,040	$894
Heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, headlight wipers/washers.

Four-C Chassis
Base	$995	$855
Adjustable-damping suspension. Requires Premium Pkg.

Safety
Antiskid system
Base	$695	$597


Dual booster seats
Base	$300	$258


Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system
Base	$2,120	$1,823


Power sunroof
Base	$1,200	$1,032


Leather upholstery
Base	$1,450	$1,247


Rear-facing 3rd-row seat
Base	$995	$855


AM/FM w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
Base	$1,200	$1,032
Includes upgraded sound system.

Satellite radio prep
Base	$75	$64


Interior air quality system
Base	$175	$150


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Metallic paint
Base	$475	$408


Bi-xenon headlights
Base	$700	$602
Requires Climate Pkg.

Xenia alloy wheels
Base	$350	$301

2006 Volvo XC70 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Volvo XC70 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	108.8

Overall Length, in.	186.3

Overall Width, in.	73.2

Overall Height, in.	61.5

Curb Weight, lbs.	3699

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	71.4

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.0

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.3

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.6

Rear Head Room, in.	38.9

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.2

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	Turbocharged dohc I5

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.5 /153

Horsepower @ rpm.	208 @ 5000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	236 @ 1500

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	18/24

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Volvo XC70 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	12/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/unlimited	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Sweden

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive

< 2006 Volvo XC70 Photos

Also in the 2006 Volvo XC70 Review:

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Volvo XC70 Road Test

Volvo XC70 Prices & Equipment

Volvo XC70 Specs & Safety

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