Volvo XC70 (2007-) Review

On the road

• Previous: Reliability and Quality
• Next: Safety and Security

With a high centre of gravity and near-1.9tonne kerb weight, the XC70 is no lithe drivers' car. It pitches and wallows through corners and the front end rises up under acceleration. The FOUR-C active suspension system helps to keep the XC70 composed in most situations, but you'll find that neither of the three settings - Comfort, Sport or Advanced - gives a ride you'd be happy with in all situations, so you find yourself continually switching between the three to find the best compromise.

The automatic gearbox that's standard with the petrol and optional with the diesel doesn't like to be rushed in manual mode: it's much happier left in drive and allowed to get on with its job.

Off-piste adventures should be limited to rutted tracks and muddy fields, as anything more taxing will leave the XC70 floundering. Its approach and departure angles, ride height and wading depth are better than the Audi Allroad, but leave a lot to be desired compared to proper off-roaders. The only kit the XC70 features over the V70 to help it off-road is hill decent control, which automatically applies the brakes when descending a hill, keeping the car's speed at a 10mph maximum.

The standard electronic parking brake takes some getting used to - it's activated by pressing a button on the lower section of the dashboard, but is disengaged automatically when you apply the accelerator to move off.

Even with a 49bhp deficit over the petrol, the D5 diesel is the better engine to go for. It has 295lb-ft of torque instead of the 236lb-ft that the 3.2-litre petrol musters. However, the maximum torque is only available from 2,000 to 2,750rpm, therefore you have to work the engine hard to get the best results.

0-62mph takes 8.8secs in the diesel, 8.1secs in the petrol. Top speeds are 130 and 134mph respectively.