[pbierre]

The P2 2.5 turbo engine calls for TB replacement at 120K mi. or 10 years, whichever comes first. The serpentine belt is on the same schedule.

The P3 T6 engine has a lifetime steel timing-chain. The accessory belt is scheduled for 150K mi.

Having owned P2 and P3 XC70s, the front seats are almost the same. The P3 adds a motorized lumbar control (which I ignore). I like the P3 having the battery in the engine compartment (no risk of hydrogen explosion in passenger cabin like P2 wagon). I do the same work on the P3 (brakes, oil, tranny fluid, AWD service, spark plugs, PS steering fluid) and find it every bit as satisfying. IMHO, the Ford - Volvo collaboration was a success, and likely held down parts costs. Yes, there is more software (it increases every year), but I respect the ~2000 DTCs lurking in the shadows, and value the role they play in maintaining the car.

The P3s achieved something called Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle II, which pollutes the environment considerably less than the P2s. To get this rating, emissions must be < 50% of the international fleet average. It's nice to be contributing to solving the pollution problem as you upgrade cars, without having to buy a Tesla.

One bonus of the P3 XC70 is the extensive collection of DIY videos posted on YouTube (by VolvoSweden).

 

[pbierre]

I noticed right away when I got my 2013 XC70 T6 how you could run the engine in the garage, and the exhaust smell was much less noticeable. That's compared to my 2004 XC70 2.5T. ULEV-II was phased in between 2004-2010.

CA ULEV-II is not based on fuel economy, it's based on volume of pollutants. The scale is a relative one, based on a comparison to the mean pollution level for all "similar vehicles" manufactured the same Model-Year. Being < 50% of that average is quite an accomplishment, since the fleet is burning the same gasoline products.