21 Jun 04
Volvo's S60 saloon, V70 estate and four-wheel drive XC70 soft-roader ranges are distinctive without being flashy, and make classy alternatives to the obvious German choices in their respective market sectors. Sensibly, Volvo decided not to tamper with this successful formula too much when it came to mid-life facelift time, though the upshot of this cautious approach is that even the keenest of car-spotters would have a job picking out the 2005 model-year S60, V70 and XC70 models from their outgoing equivalents.
Look closely, however, and there are subtle changes: the S60 and V70 gain more resemblance to the newly-launched S40 and V50, with new bumpers and redesigned grilles, and the four-wheel-drive, high-riding XC70 gets a larger grille, bigger front and rear skid plates plus a new choice of Stone Grey paint for the bumpers, wheel arches and side mouldings. Headlights are now clear-lensed and have a pressure-jet wash system rather than wipers, and a number of new paint colours and alloy wheel designs are offered. In the S60 saloon and V70 estate ranges, the models are differentiated more clearly; entry-level S models have black-painted lower side and door mouldings, Sport models have a fully colour-coded exterior and SE versions have chrome inserts on their front and rear bumpers. As before, different-design alloy wheels are offered at each level.
The interior upgrades are more instantly noticeable: aluminium trim is much-improved, especially in the S60, as is the optional wood detailing, now real, and the quality of the leather upholstery. Centre consoles are less intrusive, with an armrest incorporating cupholders and a tray, and the audio systems tested were all much easier to use. Front seats are more extensively adjustable, and further refinements include a reduction in reflections on the windscreen and cloth-trimmed A-pillars and sun visors. Volvo also claims that improved sound insulation has reduced road noise by up to 2dB.
