I've previously tested the 3.2 versions of the V70 and XC70, and today I tested the XC70 T6. Nice drive.<p>In the end though, I found myself resenting the fact that I have to get an XC70 in order to have what I consider a decent driving experience for this kind of car. My ideal car would be a V70 T6. And I can't get one in the states.<p>If I find a real, REAL great deal on the XC70 T6, I'll go for it. But honestly, the better option for me is to wait and see if Volvo NA gets its act together in 2010 and offers the U.S. market, as bad as it may be these days, a premium wagon without the tupperware and extra weight. If not, the BMW 535xi is looking pretty good.<p>Anyone's best guess if a T6 V70 is heading to the states this year?
Well, I test drove the XC70 T6 today
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Re: Well, I test drove the XC70 T6 today (Lunchman)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>Lunchman</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">NO chance.</TD></TR></TABLE><p>Agreed.......because you can't get any T6 without AWD and that would hurt the XC.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>Lunchman</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">NO chance.</TD></TR></TABLE><p>Agreed.......because you can't get any T6 without AWD and that would hurt the XC.
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2,216 Posts
Re: (Pshrynk)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>Pshrynk</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had one from the dealer last week as a loaner -- there were terrible rattles from the dash and the rear hatch made all kinds of creaks, groans and rattles -- I wasn't impressed!!! </TD></TR></TABLE><p>7500 miles, not a creak, groan, or rattle. My wife agrees, it is much quieter than her Lexus.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>Pshrynk</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had one from the dealer last week as a loaner -- there were terrible rattles from the dash and the rear hatch made all kinds of creaks, groans and rattles -- I wasn't impressed!!! </TD></TR></TABLE><p>7500 miles, not a creak, groan, or rattle. My wife agrees, it is much quieter than her Lexus.
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155 Posts
Re: (BarentsBlueV50)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>BarentsBlueV50</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"><br>7500 miles, not a creak, groan, or rattle.</TD></TR></TABLE><br>I can second that!
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>BarentsBlueV50</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"><br>7500 miles, not a creak, groan, or rattle.</TD></TR></TABLE><br>I can second that!
Re: (etherfarm)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>etherfarm</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Anyone here who was/is looking at an XC70 also looking at the XC60?</TD></TR></TABLE><p>Though I've not driven it, we didn't even consider it b/c space was the main issue for us with two little kids. SUV's (which this to me resembles) tend to have less cargo space compared to wagons, but more rear passenger space, which also seems to be the case here (XC60 has 2 inches more rear legroom than the XC70 even though it's 8 inches shorter in length). It would be interesting to see if they've designed the car somehow to have more interior space compared to the XC70 though, as according to the specs, the trunk is only 5 inches shorter than the XC70's, and I would've expected it to be even more of a difference.<p>The XC60 also weighs 300 pounds more and rides almost an inch higher, so I wouldn't expect its handling to be equal or that much better than the XC70, especially one with 4C, which I don't know if the XC60 comes with or not. The handling I'm making a guess on based on the statistics though.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>etherfarm</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Anyone here who was/is looking at an XC70 also looking at the XC60?</TD></TR></TABLE><p>Though I've not driven it, we didn't even consider it b/c space was the main issue for us with two little kids. SUV's (which this to me resembles) tend to have less cargo space compared to wagons, but more rear passenger space, which also seems to be the case here (XC60 has 2 inches more rear legroom than the XC70 even though it's 8 inches shorter in length). It would be interesting to see if they've designed the car somehow to have more interior space compared to the XC70 though, as according to the specs, the trunk is only 5 inches shorter than the XC70's, and I would've expected it to be even more of a difference.<p>The XC60 also weighs 300 pounds more and rides almost an inch higher, so I wouldn't expect its handling to be equal or that much better than the XC70, especially one with 4C, which I don't know if the XC60 comes with or not. The handling I'm making a guess on based on the statistics though.
Re: (Lotus99)
We can't get an XC70 with 4C in the states, unfortunately. The XC60 apparently has some kind of dynamic suspension as standard. So there's some chance that the XC60's sporty mode is a better ride than the standard XC70.<p>It was the leg room in the back seats of the XC60 that impressed me, at least on paper. I do remember thinking there wasn't as much legroom in the XC70 as I would have expected for a car that large. <p>There isn't more interior space on the XC60 than on the XC70--there's less. But not by much. XC70 = 72.1 cu. ft vs. XC60 = 67.4 cu ft. For my purposes, volume is less important than length. I do woodworking, and one of the reasons I love my V50 so much is being able to fold that front seat down and fit some long boards into the car.<p>You know, I'd love to buy a Volvo. I have a service looking for an appropriately spec'ed XC70. But I think I'll honestly just wait. Or buy something else. I don't want to have to buy an SUV to get an enjoyable driving experience. <p>Well, my V50 is great so far, anyway.
We can't get an XC70 with 4C in the states, unfortunately. The XC60 apparently has some kind of dynamic suspension as standard. So there's some chance that the XC60's sporty mode is a better ride than the standard XC70.<p>It was the leg room in the back seats of the XC60 that impressed me, at least on paper. I do remember thinking there wasn't as much legroom in the XC70 as I would have expected for a car that large. <p>There isn't more interior space on the XC60 than on the XC70--there's less. But not by much. XC70 = 72.1 cu. ft vs. XC60 = 67.4 cu ft. For my purposes, volume is less important than length. I do woodworking, and one of the reasons I love my V50 so much is being able to fold that front seat down and fit some long boards into the car.<p>You know, I'd love to buy a Volvo. I have a service looking for an appropriately spec'ed XC70. But I think I'll honestly just wait. Or buy something else. I don't want to have to buy an SUV to get an enjoyable driving experience. <p>Well, my V50 is great so far, anyway.
Re: (etherfarm)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>etherfarm</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There isn't more interior space on the XC60 than on the XC70--there's less. But not by much. XC70 = 72.1 cu. ft vs. XC60 = 67.4 cu ft. For my purposes, volume is less important than length. I do woodworking, and one of the reasons I love my V50 so much is being able to fold that front seat down and fit some long boards into the car.</TD></TR></TABLE><p>Yeah, 3 cu. ft. is not much difference (those are back seats down numbers). But when looking at cars, be careful how much of that space is in the higher inside height. I've found on paper some SUV's had great cargo volume, but it wasn't all usable given that the floor length was short but the height was high, compared to wagons, thus giving them comparable cu. ft. numbers.<p>The XC60 seems to have 179cm (Cargo Length with Rear Seats Folded) vs. the XC70's 188 cm - that's only 4 inches less). So they may have done a good job at carving out more interior space from it than in the XC70.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>etherfarm</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There isn't more interior space on the XC60 than on the XC70--there's less. But not by much. XC70 = 72.1 cu. ft vs. XC60 = 67.4 cu ft. For my purposes, volume is less important than length. I do woodworking, and one of the reasons I love my V50 so much is being able to fold that front seat down and fit some long boards into the car.</TD></TR></TABLE><p>Yeah, 3 cu. ft. is not much difference (those are back seats down numbers). But when looking at cars, be careful how much of that space is in the higher inside height. I've found on paper some SUV's had great cargo volume, but it wasn't all usable given that the floor length was short but the height was high, compared to wagons, thus giving them comparable cu. ft. numbers.<p>The XC60 seems to have 179cm (Cargo Length with Rear Seats Folded) vs. the XC70's 188 cm - that's only 4 inches less). So they may have done a good job at carving out more interior space from it than in the XC70.
Re: (Lotus99)
I'm sick today, but on the way home from the pharmacy I stopped by a local Volvo dealer that I knew would totally ignore me while I poked around their cars. They didn't even notice when I got into the back seat of an XC70, wanting to check out the leg room, then realized that I couldn't get out due to the child locks on the back doors. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/smile.gif" BORDER="0"> (don't worry, I'm not writing this from the back of a car--I pulled the seat down and climbed out the open tailgate...)<p>I brought my measuring tape and took some measurements, but it really wasn't necessary. The XC60 is not the car for me. It's a great car and would make a great step up from someone with, say, a C30. But it wouldn't really get me anything over my V50. It's like a taller and slightly nicer (and by nicer I really just mean more up-to-date) V50.<p>The V70/XC70 is really a different class of car. There was a full 7+ inches more room in the cargo area, and due to fact the roofline isn't sloped back there, it's a lot more useful space. When I adjusted the driver seat to my preferred position on both cars, the backseat seemed just _slightly_ more spacious in the XC60, and really only if I were splitting hairs. I did like the front seats on the XC60 a bit more; they had more side support I think. But I liked the back seats in the XC70 more, even if they did have the built-in booster seats. Not that back seat comfort is all that important to me, but I would like my kid (kids in the future, hopefully) to be able to sit through long trips without going numb (like I did growing up).<p>I didn't have to test drive it. Just looking at the cargo area and sitting in the front seat, I realized if I jacked up the V50 a few inches and added nav, I'd more or less have the same thing from a utilitarian perspective.<p>If this service I hired can't find the XC70 config I'm looking for, I'll wait to see what Volvo does with the V/XC70 in 2010, which should be around July or so.
I'm sick today, but on the way home from the pharmacy I stopped by a local Volvo dealer that I knew would totally ignore me while I poked around their cars. They didn't even notice when I got into the back seat of an XC70, wanting to check out the leg room, then realized that I couldn't get out due to the child locks on the back doors. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/smile.gif" BORDER="0"> (don't worry, I'm not writing this from the back of a car--I pulled the seat down and climbed out the open tailgate...)<p>I brought my measuring tape and took some measurements, but it really wasn't necessary. The XC60 is not the car for me. It's a great car and would make a great step up from someone with, say, a C30. But it wouldn't really get me anything over my V50. It's like a taller and slightly nicer (and by nicer I really just mean more up-to-date) V50.<p>The V70/XC70 is really a different class of car. There was a full 7+ inches more room in the cargo area, and due to fact the roofline isn't sloped back there, it's a lot more useful space. When I adjusted the driver seat to my preferred position on both cars, the backseat seemed just _slightly_ more spacious in the XC60, and really only if I were splitting hairs. I did like the front seats on the XC60 a bit more; they had more side support I think. But I liked the back seats in the XC70 more, even if they did have the built-in booster seats. Not that back seat comfort is all that important to me, but I would like my kid (kids in the future, hopefully) to be able to sit through long trips without going numb (like I did growing up).<p>I didn't have to test drive it. Just looking at the cargo area and sitting in the front seat, I realized if I jacked up the V50 a few inches and added nav, I'd more or less have the same thing from a utilitarian perspective.<p>If this service I hired can't find the XC70 config I'm looking for, I'll wait to see what Volvo does with the V/XC70 in 2010, which should be around July or so.
Re: (etherfarm)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>etherfarm</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">But I liked the back seats in the XC70 more, even if they did have the built-in booster seats. Not that back seat comfort is all that important to me, but I would like my kid (kids in the future, hopefully) to be able to sit through long trips without going numb (like I did growing up).</TD></TR></TABLE><p>Did it have built in boosters? They're not stock in the XC70 the way they are in the V70 (right?).
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>etherfarm</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">But I liked the back seats in the XC70 more, even if they did have the built-in booster seats. Not that back seat comfort is all that important to me, but I would like my kid (kids in the future, hopefully) to be able to sit through long trips without going numb (like I did growing up).</TD></TR></TABLE><p>Did it have built in boosters? They're not stock in the XC70 the way they are in the V70 (right?).
Re: (Munin)
Both cars had the built-in boosters. I figured that out, actually, when I locked myself in the back seat (when you get the built-in boosters, you also get the electronic child locks). <p>And you're right; they're standard in the V70, not standard in the XC70, at least in the U.S.. They're also not standard on the XC60.
Both cars had the built-in boosters. I figured that out, actually, when I locked myself in the back seat (when you get the built-in boosters, you also get the electronic child locks). <p>And you're right; they're standard in the V70, not standard in the XC70, at least in the U.S.. They're also not standard on the XC60.
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155 Posts
Re: (etherfarm)
The built in booster seats which I got for my XC70 are IMO very worth it if you have small kids. My 3 year old can see out the window much better and this makes for more pleasant long car trips. In many ways this is the real benefit (aside from safety) and gives them something to graduate to once they are too large for a car seat. Not being in/on a typical store bought booster seat makes them feel like "big kids".
The built in booster seats which I got for my XC70 are IMO very worth it if you have small kids. My 3 year old can see out the window much better and this makes for more pleasant long car trips. In many ways this is the real benefit (aside from safety) and gives them something to graduate to once they are too large for a car seat. Not being in/on a typical store bought booster seat makes them feel like "big kids".
Re: (etherfarm)
Thanks for the real world details! The booster seats from what I've felt are a bit harder (when down) compared to the regular ones, as I guess they had to remove some of the cushioning to put in the mechanism. So adults might find it a bit hard back there for long trips. They're an option on the XC70 as part of a package - you pick b/w them or heated rear seats.<p>Realistically though your kids will be at least 3 (probably 4 even) before they should use the boosters - before that they should be in car seats, and even when they can technically move to a booster, I'd still keep them in the car seat up to the max the car seat can handle - as it's got a 5 point harness and more side protection IMO - most toddler car seats can take kids up to 65 pounds - though you'll probably hit their height limit sooner than that.<p>Volvo's own manual says:<p>Use these booster cushions only with children whose weight is between:<p>• Stage 1: 48 – 80 lbs (22 – 36 kg)<br>• Stage 2: 33 – 55 lbs 15 – 25 kg<p>and whose height is between:<p>• Stage 1: 45 – 55 in. (115 – 140 cm)<br>• Stage 2: 37 – 47 in. (95 – 120 cm)<p>In Canada, Transport Canada's weight recommendation is 40 – 80 lbs<br>(18 – 36 kg).<p>You've got a pretty "healthy" 3 year old if he/she weighs 40 pounds!!! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/tongue.gif" BORDER="0">
Thanks for the real world details! The booster seats from what I've felt are a bit harder (when down) compared to the regular ones, as I guess they had to remove some of the cushioning to put in the mechanism. So adults might find it a bit hard back there for long trips. They're an option on the XC70 as part of a package - you pick b/w them or heated rear seats.<p>Realistically though your kids will be at least 3 (probably 4 even) before they should use the boosters - before that they should be in car seats, and even when they can technically move to a booster, I'd still keep them in the car seat up to the max the car seat can handle - as it's got a 5 point harness and more side protection IMO - most toddler car seats can take kids up to 65 pounds - though you'll probably hit their height limit sooner than that.<p>Volvo's own manual says:<p>Use these booster cushions only with children whose weight is between:<p>• Stage 1: 48 – 80 lbs (22 – 36 kg)<br>• Stage 2: 33 – 55 lbs 15 – 25 kg<p>and whose height is between:<p>• Stage 1: 45 – 55 in. (115 – 140 cm)<br>• Stage 2: 37 – 47 in. (95 – 120 cm)<p>In Canada, Transport Canada's weight recommendation is 40 – 80 lbs<br>(18 – 36 kg).<p>You've got a pretty "healthy" 3 year old if he/she weighs 40 pounds!!! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/tongue.gif" BORDER="0">
Re: (Lotus99)
My kid is 3 and has probably another 3-5 months in his current car seat, which apparently is good to 50 lbs but I'd rather get him out of it sooner than later. He's 32 lbs now but would love to sit in a chair that made him feel like a big boy.<p>Between the built-in boosters and the fold-down front seat, it's hard for me not to love the V/XC70. I'd love a diesel V70 in 2010, second to that, a T6 V70. My last choice would be an XC70 T6, but it would do nicely.<p>I'm glad I went to go see the XC60 and do that comparison.
My kid is 3 and has probably another 3-5 months in his current car seat, which apparently is good to 50 lbs but I'd rather get him out of it sooner than later. He's 32 lbs now but would love to sit in a chair that made him feel like a big boy.<p>Between the built-in boosters and the fold-down front seat, it's hard for me not to love the V/XC70. I'd love a diesel V70 in 2010, second to that, a T6 V70. My last choice would be an XC70 T6, but it would do nicely.<p>I'm glad I went to go see the XC60 and do that comparison.
Re: Well, I test drove the XC70 T6 today (MagoonR)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>MagoonR</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"><p>Agreed.......because you can't get any T6 without AWD and that would hurt the XC.</TD></TR></TABLE><p>Because the V70 R used to compete with the XC70?<p>I don't doubt that Volvo NA thinks this way, though.<p>This isn't the first time I've read that the XC60 handles better than the XC70. Still need to drive one myself.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>MagoonR</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"><p>Agreed.......because you can't get any T6 without AWD and that would hurt the XC.</TD></TR></TABLE><p>Because the V70 R used to compete with the XC70?<p>I don't doubt that Volvo NA thinks this way, though.<p>This isn't the first time I've read that the XC60 handles better than the XC70. Still need to drive one myself.
Re: Well, I test drove the XC70 T6 today (mkaresh)
The XC60 probably handles better because you can't sample a XC70 with 4C in the USA. I test drove both models and both had the 4c. The XC60 has a quicker turn in and feels more nimble while the XC70 feels more stable and planted (sort of like an Audi A6). I prefered the XC70 in sport mode.
The XC60 probably handles better because you can't sample a XC70 with 4C in the USA. I test drove both models and both had the 4c. The XC60 has a quicker turn in and feels more nimble while the XC70 feels more stable and planted (sort of like an Audi A6). I prefered the XC70 in sport mode.
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