Category: Executive 
Price Range: £28,245 to £39,945
Huge boot, high level of standard kit, extra ability, good tow car.
No low-range gearbox, high centre of gravity affects driving dynamics.
Although a proper off-roader will ultimately be more capable on the rough stuff, the XC70 will go a little further, but just not far enough.
Like the V70, the XC70 features a mass of safety measures. Active safety kit includes a blind spot alert system, collision warning, adaptive cruise control, swivelling bi-Xenon headlights and a plethora of Brake Assist functions, with anti-lock brakes and stability control fitted as standard, naturally.
Multiple two-stage airbags protect all occupants and the front crumple zone has been formed from four different strengths of steel, with names such as High Strength Steel, Extra High Strength Steel and Ultra High Strength Steel. Side impact protection and anti-whiplash systems also feature. Plainly, there are many worse cars to have a crash in.
No EuroNCAP crash test result yet, but we'd be very surprised if the XC70, like the V70, doesn't achieve the full five-star rating.
