I can't admit to owning a Rolls, but I have owned a 7 series BMW and a Jaguar and I have to say that the Volvo V70 T5 beats them both hands down. (maybe not in sheer speed, but taking everything into consideration it is by far the best)
Well that's my opinion.
Practicality, safety and performance are the three things the V70 T5 does well. 90% of the British traffic police can't be wrong.
It's not the most economical car in the world, but I like the fact that if you want to save fuel you can just drive it carefully. A lot of high performance cars are gas guzzlers how-EVER you drive them. With the V70 T5 the power is hiding until you hit around RPM then it's like you've been kicked in the back.
I've owned 4 & 5 litre cars in the past and I can honestly say the V70 drives like one of those. It's only a 2.3litre engine but when you start it, it sounds like something much bigger. It pulls away so smoothly and the auto box changes gear almost imperceptibly. Mine isn't the Geartronic type of box, but I can't fault it in any way.
I've not long had the V70 and it just coming up to 5 years old and the interior looks like new. I've read reviews that say the interior is hard wearing. Well they are right. My V70 might be a very good example, but even so you'd expect SOME marks or damage.
A lot of things I buy never live up to my expectations but my Volvo does and it surpasses them easily. The Swedish don't leave anything to chance and the Volvo is full of nice little touches.
With the aluminium bonnet and tailgate and galvanized body panels I'm hoping to be rust free for many years. My V70 is only 59,000 miles so the engine has many years life left too.
My only niggle is the turning circle. According to the specs it's the same as my old Laguna, but it certainly doesn't feel like it when turning round in the street or negotiating tight corners in car parks
Storage space is great. They have little places everywhere to keep things. My favorite in the leather pouches in front of the seats. They are great for dropping things in quickly when you are driving. Change from the drive through no longer rolls about on the floor.
Another niggle (Just thought of this one) is the spare wheel. Why they don't supply a full size wheel is a mystery to me. If I get a flat in the middle of the night on a long journey, I can't just change the wheel and carry on, I have to crawl along at 50 MPH to the nearest all night tyre place (of which there are none). I guess it's the same for many cars now so i can't single out Volvo for that.
Anyway, Do I regret buying the Volvo? ......... NO!!
Would I recommend it to other people? ........ YES!!
Would I buy another? ............. YES!!
Do I wish I'd bought one sooner? .......... YES!!
Do you want to buy MY one?..... Tough, it's not for sale !!!!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Estate - Front (FWD) - 6 Speed - (Man) / 6 Speed Geartronic - (Auto) - 2401 cc - Max Speed: 140 mph - 185 bhp - Diesel - Available Trims: R-DESIGN, R-DESIGN Premium, SE, SE Lux, SE Lux Premium, SE Premium, S, Sport
I've started to look at Volvo as a potential replacement to my current Honda and the V70 T5 was an option, thanks. Sam.
Nar 20.09.2005 00:54
Welcome to Ciao. This is the start of a good review but.. the fact that it has so much power is due to the fact that it has 5 cylinders as opposed to the standard 4. Fuel consumption for the T5 engine is actually pretty poor which is due to the nature of the engine. I found driving the S70 T5 similar with fuel, plenty of power but at the cost of economy suffering - the Audi engined Turbodiesel (before Volvo made their own D5 engine) delivered better economy despite lower power. However, this car that you have reviewed isnt just any Volvo, its an estate - Nice rvw but I cant believe you havent reviewed the most important aspect of the car!?Whats that then? Its an estate and its not the largest estate Volvo have made either (the 700/900 and 240 estates had the bigger capacities) but then again you dont get many estates who's seats completely lie flat or have the excellent rear child seat built in as standard.
mrsmopples 19.09.2005 23:28
Hubby is actually thinking about getting this next year, Ive got the Galaxy but he wants something reliable to get him to work which is 40 miles away. x
Advantages: Comfortable for cross-country drives, without downside on hp output when negotiating off-roads Disadvantages: Low ground clearance limits car performance
barhiggins 10.02.2007 (10.02.2007)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Volvo V70 T5
Advantages: A Family car which has all the space in the universe Disadvantages: The purchase price and the on the road price are quite heavy on the wallet
chunka 10.02.2002 (02.03.2002)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Volvo V70 T5
Advantages: Performance, Handling, Load Space, SE specification Disadvantages: Slightly above average servicing costs, Possible speeding offence waiting to happen
higham 08.08.2000 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Volvo V70 T5
Advantages: A Family car which has all the space in the universe Disadvantages: The purchase price and the on the road price are quite heavy on the wallet
chunka 10.02.2002 (02.03.2002)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Volvo V70 T5
Advantages: Performance, Handling, Load Space, SE specification Disadvantages: Slightly above average servicing costs, Possible speeding offence waiting to happen
higham 08.08.2000 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Volvo V70 T5
Advantages: Comfortable for cross-country drives, without downside on hp output when negotiating off-roads Disadvantages: Low ground clearance limits car performance
barhiggins 10.02.2007 (10.02.2007)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Volvo V70 T5
Sep 19th, 2005
very helpful by (63%):
helpful by (38%):
