Volvo XC70 D3 SE Start/Stop Geartronic 5dr Car Review - January 2012

The Volvo XC70 D3 SE is a lovely family-orientated car with front-wheel drive. The 6-speed gearbox, 20 valves and combined mpg of 44.5 allows for smooth handling despite its 4838 length. Because it’s a D3, the automatic car can carry heavy loads with ease and eliminates the need to ‘hunt’ for gears, making it very convenient for long journeys and sea-side holidays.

The small 1984cc diesel engine delivers a power output of 160.8 bhp at 2900 rpm with torque figures at Producing 295 lb-ft at 1400-2850 rpm. The XC70 D3 SE really isn’t the best in terms of speed. But what it can do at low speed is steer beautifully and accelerate (albeit not much) smoothly. It’s also not as noisy as one might expect from a 4x4.

When it comes to looks, the Volvo XC70 D3 SE is certainly handsome and worth showing off. It’s sleeker and more refined than the chunky previous Volvo V70 range, disguising its considerable length well. Five plump leather seats in the five door car are standard, as is the Bluetooth, MP3 connection and CD player, making the car perfect for entertaining the kids on long journeys.

In addition, the Volvo XC70 D3 SE is kitted out well with a number of other clever features including power-steering, alloy wheels, DSTC stability control, central locking, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control and rear-parking sensors.

The Volvo XC70 D3 SE is incredibly practical with a huge, spacious boot that has 1600 litres space with the seats down and 575 litres space with them up, storing heavy loads easily while keeping the passengers comfortable.

Given its slow acceleration, well-thought out shape and strong body, the Volvo XC70 D3 SE is unsurprisingly a very reliable and safe car, with an overall 5 star Euro NCAP which is fantastic.
With a large tank that holds 70 litres of diesel and a 3 year warranty or 60,000 miles, the Volvo XC70 D3 SE is very practical and reliable. In brief, it is an adventurous family’s dream car.

All in all, the Volvo XC70 D3 SE is a really good investment. At £32,650 it doesn’t come cheap but it is on the cheaper end of the scale when compared to others in the XC70 range. By nature uneconomical, running costs are still quite dear, but considering the security and abundance of features you would be getting, it could, in reality, be worth it.

Furthermore, with significantly lower Co2 emissions that the XC90 range, the Volvo XC70 D3 SE is better for the environment, emitting only 169g/km and therefore placing it in Tax Band H. Insurance costs for this car will be a lot cheaper, knocking off a hundred or so from the initial price.

A high demand mixed with the highly favourable security, reliability and practicality factors help keep depreciation costs to a minimum. So the Volvo XC70 D3 SE is pretty much just as valuable after sale as it is before.