We went into detail about the audio quality of the stereo system above. For sources, the system in our test car had a single CD player, which could read MP3 CDs, an auxiliary input, and Sirius satellite radio. The interface for navigating channels on satellite radio isn't great--you can't choose individual channel categories and can only spin the tuning knob to go through channels one at a time. You can see a listing of folders on MP3 CDs, however. iPod integration is available as a dealer-installed option, suggesting a system that doesn't offer full track, artist, and album selection from the car audio controls. According to Volvo's site, there is no option for a six-disc changer.
For more individual audio entertainment, an option gives the rear-seat passengers their own headphone jacks and audio controls. Another option not present on our car, is a full rear-seat DVD entertainment package, which includes headrest-mounted LCD monitors.
Our car came with a clamp for a Garmin Nuvi 760 portable navigation device mounted on top of the dashboard. Although Volvo's site doesn't mention this option, we have heard through other sources that you can get the Garmin Nuvi 760 as a dealer option. (Here is a review of the Garmin Nuvi 660.) Alternatively, you can get Volvo's fully integrated navigation system with a larger screen that pops up from the dashboard. We tried one of these out in the Volvo C70 and found that, although the system was usable, the screen was very susceptible to glare.
Other dealer options include a rear-view camera and a Bluetooth cell phone integration module. From Volvo's site, the latter looks like any aftermarket type of unit. We would rather see factory-installed Bluetooth that takes advantage of the keypad in the car's center panel.
Under the hood
The 2008 Volvo XC70 drives exceptionally well for a jacked-up station wagon. We enjoyed its handling and the responsiveness of its 3.2-liter straight six-cylinder engine. Even with all-wheel drive present, we could feel the engine's 235 horsepower and 236 foot-pounds of torque. It gave us good boost off the line and continual smooth power delivery. When we wanted to play, we put the six-speed automatic into manual mode, letting us select gears with the shifter. Of course, there is quite a bit of lag before the transmission actually makes the gear change you select.
The steering response was as good as the throttle response, showing very little understeer, a surprise considering the XC70 is a long wagon that's raised up. As we took it on some wet mountain roads, we appreciated the all-wheel drive, which helped keep the car planted. In fact, we started to think Volvo should be entering World Rally Championships, until we felt the automatic transmission's shift lag. Around one particular corner we pushed it hard enough to get some wheel slip, at which point the car shook and skittered instead of delivering a smooth slide.
At 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, the EPA numbers for the 2008 Volvo XC70 don't sound particularly good, but we had no problem staying well within that range during a good mix of city and freeway driving. Our average observed fuel economy during our time with the car came in at 19.8 mpg and never dipped below 18 mpg. This engine balances power and economy well. Better yet, the car gets a ULEV II rating for its emissions from the California Air Resources Board, a step better than the minimum LEV II rating.
As this is a Volvo, it offers a number of innovative safety technologies as options, including BLIS, or blind spot information system, which flashes a warning when you signal for a lane change into an occupied lane. In practice, we've found this system works very well. Other safety tech comes in the Collision Avoidance Package ($1,695), which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and Collision Warning with Auto Brake, which intervenes if it detects that the gap to the car ahead is suddenly reduced by sounding a chime, flashing a warning light, and preparing the brakes for a hard stop.
The most individual tech feature on the XC70 is also part of the Collision Avoidance Package. Driver Alert Control is designed for situations where the driver is most likely to lose concentration, according to Volvo, for example on a "straight, smooth road that lulls the driver into a sense of relaxation." Using sensors that monitor the road markings, DAC determines the danger of the driver losing control. If it detects that the driver's attention is deteriorating, the system alerts the driver by sounding a chime and showing an image of a coffee cup in the driver-information display.
In sum
Our 2008 Volvo XC70 starts with a base price of $36,775, which is somewhat hefty. Our options included metallic paint for $475, the Dynaudio premium audio package for $1,650, the Premium package for $2,995, the Climate package for $875, and alloy wheels at $550. Add the $745 destination fee, and our total came out to $44,065. We don't have an indication of the portable navigation device dealer install price, but the factory navigation system will add $2,120. The XC70 quickly becomes a very pricey wagon.
But we found a lot to be impressed about with this car and give it high ratings for design, performance, and cabin tech. On the cabin tech front, it gets docked points for the somewhat haphazard nature of the dealer accessories and the poor audio control interface, but gains a lot back for its sound quality and the availability of rear-seat DVD. Performance is, overall, excellent, but we have to fault it for the slow transmission shifts and the lack of composure when it is pushed to the point of wheel slip.
What You'll Pay
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