The 2010 Volvo V70 is a study in mediocrity. Essentially unchanged since a major redesign in 2008, this five-door, five-passenger wagon is designed as an alternative for those who wish to avoid the expense and often unwieldy bulk of a small SUV or crossover. Both V70 trims, the base 3.2 and 3.2 R-Design are offered only in the front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration, a distinct disadvantage in northern climes, despite claims that winter tires compensate for the lack of power to all four wheels. Comfortable seats, a well-designed interior, and plenty of passenger and cargo room may overcome tepid performance and handling, plain styling, and over-priced options packages, as well as reliability issues, but when considering a family-oriented wagon, the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 328i xDrive, and Saab 9-3 SportCombi are each worth a look.
The only powertrain available for the 2010 V70 is a 235-hp, 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder (I6) engine that’s managed by a six-speed auto-manual transmission. This combo puts out 263 lb-ft of torque, good enough to pull 3,300 pounds of trailer when the available hitch and wiring are purchased. EPA estimated mileage for this less-than-impressive I6 is 18/27 mpg.
Featuring 16-inch alloy wheels on the 3.2 trim and 18-inch alloys on the 3.2 R-Design, the 2010 V70 also sports standard roof racks, and the 3.2 R-Design boasts a rear roof spoiler. Kudos go out to the V70 for its thoughtful cabin layout and passenger comfort features. The 3.2 trim level offers standard front bucket seats with a power-adjustable driver’s seat and memory function, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, power windows, door locks, and heated mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, Bluetooth hands-free communications technology, and a 160-watt, MP3-capable single-CD player with eight speakers and a USB/iPod interface. The 3.2 R-Design adds a standard power-adjustable front passenger seat, universal remote garage door opener, leather upholstery, a power sunroof, genuine wood trim accents, and sport pedals.
Options for the V70 3.2 include a number of packages with heated seats, universal remote, power sunroof, and leather upholstery. Options available for both the 3.2 and 3.2 R-Design trims include a portable navigation device, dual-monitor rear-seat DVD entertainment, a power liftgate, satellite radio, and a 750-watt Dynaudio premium sound system with 12 speakers.
Volvo’s reputation rests on its strong safety record, and the 2010 V70 is no exception. Each trim offers standard four-wheel ABS, traction and stability control, dual front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, active front headrests, daytime running lights, and a remote anti-theft alarm system. Optional safety equipment includes a blind spot warning system, front and rear parking assist sensors, a rearview camera, and HID headlamps with active bending lights.
Owners of the 2009 Volvo V70 mention passenger and cargo room and seat comfort above all else in their praise of this Euro-styled wagon. Issues, however, raise their ugly heads with complaints of tepid acceleration and gas mileage with the I6 powerplant, while reliability and repair expense also cause concern, especially after the first 90,000 miles. A few owners also have problems with the available navigation system, claiming it has a poor user interface and indistinct tracking properties. Though some owners also complain about lackluster handling, others consider the V70 to provide a far more pleasant, even entertaining, driving experience than anticipated. A tight turning radius, laid-back styling, and, of course, a plethora of standard safety features, not to mention general build quality, also draw rave reviews from owners of the V70 wagon.
windshield wiper fluid was missing. Filled the fluid into the engine cooling fluid recipient by mistake. What do I need to do to avoid more significant problems ?My car C70
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: Sirius ready · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 160 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.4 · Front brakes: disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.9 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Cruise control: adaptive · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 3 driver · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Parking sensors: front and rear · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: grocery bag holder · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 8
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Video monitor location: dual rear · Video monitor size: 7 · Video system: DVD player
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: Xenon · Rear fog lights: auto-off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass · Roof rails: silver
Safety
Active head restraints: front and rear · Child seat: built-in · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: alert system
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.0 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 7
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: Sirius ready · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 160 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.4 · Front brakes: disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.9 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: front center · Center console trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Cruise control: adaptive · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Parking sensors: front and rear · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 8
Exterior Features
Mirror color: chrome · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Video monitor location: dual rear · Video monitor size: 7 · Video system: DVD player
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: Xenon · Rear fog lights: auto-off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: sliding sunshade · Roof rails: silver
Safety
Active head restraints: front and rear · Child seat: built-in · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: alert system
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.0 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer