Volvo V70 T6 AWD R-DESIGN Geartronic 5dr Car Review - January 2012

The Volvo V70 is much more fun to drive than any in the XC70 and XC90 range. Nimble and agile, the Volvo V70 T6 AWD R-DESIGN is a definite improvement in terms of driving quality. With beautifully balanced steering, and smooth driving control, the 6-speed automatic handles really well.

Similar to the S80 T6 AWD Executive Geartronic 4dr, the five door estate has a 2953cc, 24 valve, 6-cylinder engine. Together these two large executive V70s lead the way in performance stakes. With 299 bhp at 5600, the Volvo V70 T6 AWD R-DESIGN produces an impressive324 lb-ft at 2100-4200 rpm.

Put simply, this means that the estate car can go from 0-60 in an impressive 6.9 seconds, and has an overall hair-raising top speed of 155 mph.

With sweeping bonnet lines and soft, curving headlights, the Volvo V70 T6 AWD R-DESIGN looks incredibly stylish. For an additional £640 the V70 can be polished to perfection with metallic paint, though it still looks good without.

It is slightly smaller than the 4x4 models, only 4823mm in length and 1861mm in width, but the interior is still spacious and very comfortable, with leather seats set as standard. Despite being shorter in length, the V70 estate’s boot is actually larger than the XC60, XC70 and XC90 4x4s, giving 1600 litres space with the seats down, and 575 with them up.

Power-steering, alloy wheels and DSTC stability control, cruise control, electric front windows, electric door mirrors, central locking and climate control, all come as standard features in the Volvo V70 T6 AWD R-DESIGN. Of course for an extra £385 you can get rear-parking sensors too.

Unfortunately, blue tooth and sat-nav are not included in the initial price of the Volvo V70 T6 AWD R-DESIGN, costing a further £935 when totalled together. But MP3 connectivity and a CD system do come in the standard specification.

As with all the Volvo V70’s, the T6 AWD R-DESIGN has an overall 5 star Euro NCAP. This includes a 5 star NCAP rating for occupants, 4 star for children and 2 star rating for pedestrians. The estate’s reliability and safety credentials get even better when you consider the large executive has a 3 year warranty or 60,000 miles.

As well as the hefty price tag, the uneconomical unleaded petrol is a downer, though this is likely to be what makes the car faster in the first place.

When compared to the S80 T6 AWD Executive in terms of price, this V70 is not a bad buy. At £38,235, it is cheaper than the saloon by a few grand, but then it also has ever so lower performance levels: where the V70 T6 AWD R-DESIGN can do 0-60 in 6.9 seconds, the S80 T6 Executive can do it in 6.7.

In addition, the saloon has a slightly lower CO2 emission and it therefore in a lower tax band, whereas the V70 T6 estate emits 237g/km of CO2, resulting in it being in band F and insurance group 41. In reality though, the differences are minimal.