These days we’re all about multitasking.
Perhaps that’s why so many would-be car buyers hesitate to make a purchase; it’s tough to decide what you want or find one vehicle that hauls like a sport utility vehicle, rides like a sedan, seats passengers in the comfort of a minivan and has the extras of a luxury car.
That’s what’s impressive about the Volvo XC70 T6; it serves all of those purposes plus boasts fairly decent mileage: 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. If that seems low to you, take a look at the ratings of small sport utility vehicles that offer less space and comfort and lower mpg ratings.
When you first see the XC70, it’s a bit disconcerting because of the long, sleek design. Even though it does seem vaguely styled like a station wagon of old, other car reviews have likened the exterior to an anteater. OK, so perhaps this isn’t the most attractive exterior on the road, but it’s certainly athletically handsome. It also comes down to options — do you want a longer car that actually boasts more interior space than you’d expect, or a small car with a small interior? If you want a vehicle to do it all, you have to make some compromises.
If you vote for a car that works for many different purposes, it’s tough to imagine a better selection than the XC70. The interior is elegant. The model I drove had high-quality leather seats and wood trim that was truly luxurious. All the extras — including a generous center console, rear seat pockets and a generous glove box — added to the luxury feel. Legroom and headroom in both front and back seats were plenty roomy. I must agree that this car seems best suited to four, not five, adults, though, because of its slim physique.
Technology is excellent with intuitive controls on the floating center stack that controls audio, climate and navigation.
Cargo space is ample for anyone hauling lots of extras or even large boxes or furniture. The 33.3 cubic-feet of storage turn into 72.1 cubic-feet when the rear seats are folded down. That’s generous.
The drive of this six-cylinder, all-wheel-drive vehicle is just what you’d expect — smooth and powerful, something akin to a panther gliding over the roads. If stable and secure with no hesitation is exciting, this is it. But again, this isn’t a race car, so don’t expect pulse-pounding excitement.
Volvo credits the drive to the all-new turbocharged 3-liter six-cylinder engine with variable valve timing, variable intake and cam profile switching. The car is built for off-roading, but I wouldn’t recommend more than a dirt road because of its low profile. Again, this vehicle does a lot, but there are limits; if you want to rumble over Arizona’s Red Rock Country, this isn’t the car for you.
Of course safety is Volvo’s calling card, and this doesn’t disappoint. Anti-lock brakes, “ready alert” brakes that anticipate emergency stops, full curtain side impact air bags and advanced seat belts are just some of the safety features this car boasts.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the XC70 T6 starts at $39,500. All I can say is, you really do get what you pay for with the Volvo XC70.
