Item: Used Volvo XC70 4x4 2000 - 2007
Rating: 2
Author: Steve Huntingford

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Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

VOLVO

XC70

The Volvo XC70 is a jack of all trades and master of none.

Used Volvo XC70 4x4 2000 - 2007

Compared with a standard Volvo V70 estate, the XC70 is considerably more expensive. However, it strikes the middle ground between its two most obvious rivals – cheaper than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a6-allroad/estate/used-review/n237">Audi Allroad</a> but dearer than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/subaru/outback/estate/review/n17295">Subaru Legacy Outback</a>.

The diesel XC70 is by far the most fuel-efficient version, but both petrol and diesel models are more frugal than the equivalent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/audi">Audi</a>. Overall, in fact, the XC70 is cheaper to own than the Allroad: the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/volvo">Volvo</a> has lower insurance groups and lower maintenance costs.

The differences aren't so clear cut next to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/subaru">Subaru</a>, but the Volvo is certainly not significantly worse (especially when you consider that the Outback has only petrol engines).

Labour rates and average repair bills are less at Volvo dealers than at Audi garages, and Warranty Direct tells us that Subaru repairs are, on average, more than those on Volvos.

As for insurance, the diesels are in groups 34 or 39 and the petrols are in 36 or 40.

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The Volvo XC70 is a jack of all trades and master of none.

For most of its life, the Volvo XC70 had a simple choice of two engines, and choosing between them was equally simple: diesel every time.

Originally, the only diesel was a 163bhp D5, but when its power was uprated to 185bhp in July 2005, a new 2.4-litre diesel (confusingly, also with 163bhp) joined the range. However, the less powerful (and less economical) 2.4 lasted only a year, so the simple advice is to always buy a D5.

The petrol engines are less economical and short of low-down pull, but if you must have one, go for the more powerful 2.5T, which replaced the 2.4T when the range was lightly face-lifted in mid-2004.

The other simple rule is to always buy SE trim. This brought useful extra kit over the basic S, but is so well equipped that there's no point in spending any more on the flagship SE Lux that was introduced in May 2003.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all passengers</li> <li>Large boot with lots of clever storage solutions</li> <li>Good fuel economy and running costs</li> <li>All-round comfort</li> <li>High-quality interior finish</li></ul>

We define a large SUV as anything longer than 4.5 metres. These cars aren’t usually particularly cheap to buy or lease, so in return we expect a roomy cabin, a lengthy list of standard equipment and excellent cruising refinement. A few models in this class are two-wheel drive, but the vast majority have four-wheel drive for at least a modicum of off-road ability.

The Mazda CX-5 is firmly road-focused, but its 2.0-litre petrol engine is a strong, refined performer, making it looks good value for less than&nbsp;£25k. If you can stretch the budget a fair bit, the Audi Q5 provides a combination of comfort, driving prowess, quality and space that's hard to beat. Unlike some rivals, it can't be had with seven seats, though.

A more affordable, yet well-equipped alternative is the Peugeot 5008. It’s more than capable of coping with family life&nbsp;– and all versions have seven seats as standard.&nbsp;

Large SUV

Two recalls have affected the Volvo XC70: the first, in July 2004, followed worries that the fuel injector pipes might not be fitted correctly; and the second, in December 2004, was a result of concerns that possible overheating could lead to a fire in the engine bay.

Warranty Direct doesn't have separate figures for the XC70, but it says that the V70 it's based on is a little worse than average for reliability, with the suspension responsible for almost half of all claims, and the electrics at fault in another quarter.

The company says the car can suffer from injector problems on diesel models, immobiliser faults that flatten the battery and problems with the front suspension.

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The Volvo XC70 is based on the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/v70/estate/used-review/n741">V70 estate</a>, but with extra ground clearance and four-wheel drive, the Volvo XC70 is a halfway house between a conventional estate car and a fully fledged off-roader.

On the plus side, you get the same comfort, practicality and clever use of space as in the V70, as well as the ability to venture a little further afield than your average estate car. The four-wheel-drive system also means the XC70 drives a little better than the V70, because it's less prone to running wide when pushed hard through corners.

However, don't think that the XC70 is a genuine off-roader - it won't manage much more than a rutted track off-road.

Finally, despite the improvements, the XC70 is not that great on Tarmac, either, because of its vague steering and poorly controlled ride.

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Used Volvo XC70 4x4 2000 - 2007 review

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Read the definitive used Volvo XC70 2000 - 2007 review from What Car?. We tell you what you need to know before you buy.

The Volvo XC70 is based on the V70 estate, but with extra ground clearance and four-wheel drive, the Volvo XC70 is a halfway house between a conventional estate car and a fully fledged off-roader.,On the plus side, you get the same comfort, practicality and clever use of space as in the V70, as well as the ability to venture a little further afield than your average estate car. The four-wheel-drive system also means the XC70 drives a little better than the V70, because it's less prone to running wide when pushed hard through corners.,However, don't think that the XC70 is a genuine off-roader - it won't manage much more than a rutted track off-road.Finally, despite the improvements, the XC70 is not that great on Tarmac, either, because of its vague steering and poorly controlled ride. 

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Used Volvo XC70 4x4 2000 - 2007 review

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