2016 Volvo XC70 review

1. Roomy cargo space 

The 2016 Volvo XC70 wagon offers the utility of an SUV with the driving experience of a sedan. You’ll find 33 cu-ft of space with the rear seats in place. Fold the 40/20/40 split rear seatbacks flat to reveal 72.1 cu-ft of cargo room. Some models offer an available front passenger seat that folds flat to accommodate long items. If you can’t fit everything inside, the 2016 Volvo XC70 with the 2.5 L five-cylinder engine can tow an estimated 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. 

2. Advanced driver assistance technology 

Standard on the 2016 Volvo XC70 wagon, the automatic braking system monitors the traffic ahead, ready to slow the car when it’s moving at 30 mph or lower, and will apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Other standard driver aids include antilock disc brakes, hill descent control, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, and active front head restraints. Available features include a blind-spot warning system and adaptive cruise control. One interesting option is the Road Sign Information system, which presents road sign information on the driver’s display. 

3. Handling 

With its car-like driving experience and vast cargo space, the 2016 Volvo XC70 handling is between a low-slung sedan and a taller SUV. It boasts 8.3 inches of ground clearance, giving you the ability to trek over bumps or through the grass. The XC70 is at home on a long highway stretch as well as around-town traffic. The cabin is quiet and refined as you’re swaddled in the comfortable seats. Both versions of the turbocharged engine deliver strong acceleration, which adds confidence when you’re merging onto the highway 

4. Interior elegance 

The interior of the 2016 Volvo XC70 reflects its minimalist Swedish design with graceful simplicity. You’ll find available plush leather seating and walnut inlays for that luxury feel. The technology contributes to that unique feel with a floating center stack with a vertically oriented control panel. Enjoy the standard eight-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, USB audio interface, and Bluetooth® connectivity. Add the available Convenience package to get a fold-flat front passenger seat to increase cargo capacity. 

5. Choose your model 

The 2016 Volvo XC70 is a five-passenger wagon available in four trim levels: T5 Drive-E, T5 Platinum, T5 All-Wheel Drive and T5 AWD Platinum. All versions share 8.3 inches of ground clearance, front, and rear skid plates, protective side moldings, and a roof rack. The XC70 T5 Drive-E and XC70 T5 AWD models share a lengthy standard equipment list, including cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, low-speed forward collision notification and mitigation, and a seven-inch central display screen. The Premier package adds a sunroof and a navigation system. The Platinum trim is the Premier package, plus features including a blind-spot monitoring system and the Convenience, Technology, and Proximity packages.