2009 Volvo V70

Review

When you need space for family and cargo but don’t want to go the SUV route, a luxury wagon is always a smart alternative. Wagons like the 2009 Volvo V70 are easier to handle and generally more livable than large SUVs but still offer all of the utility. Highlights of the 2009 V70 include comfortable seats, functional features, and class-leading safety equipment. The engine is a bit weak for the luxury-wagon class, but ride quality is superb. Read more of the results of our 2009 V70 road test in what follows.

Improvements from the 2008 Volvo V70

The 2009 V70 gets foglights and standard Bluetooth connectivity for 2009, as well as the new optional Technology Package that offers features like dual xenon headlights and satellite radio.

Performance

The Volvo V70 takes the most flak in auto reviews for its disappointing performance. On the one hand, the powertrain is fairly smooth and the performance is generally adequate for a luxury wagon. However, many critics lambaste the 3.2-liter, 235-horsepower flat-six engine as underpowered and coarse. With an anemic engine, it’s hard for the wagon to keep pace with its sporty competitors, such as the Audi A4 wagon and the BMW 3-Series wagon. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the 2009 V70’s performance is its bafflingly low fuel economy of 16/25 mpg city/highway. Drivers will find the acceleration adequate but not swift, but the refined, smooth ride will impress even the harshest critics.

Exterior Features

The V70 is a midsize luxury wagon offered in one trim level. Volvos aren’t exactly notorious head-turners, but the V70 looks much sleeker and more appealing since its redesign in 2008. Since the redesign, the V70 has a more athletic, assertive front end. See the wagon’s styling in our photos of the 2009 Volvo V70. Standard exterior equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, power heated mirrors, and foglights.

Interior Features

The cabin of the 2009 Volvo V70 will blow you away. The wagon seats five passengers with supremely comfortable seats and has loads of cargo space to boot. In typical Volvo fashion, the controls are simple, functional, and well-placed. Car reviews like the wagon’s fit and finish but complain of too many drab-looking gray materials. Standard interior features include cruise control, a power front seat with memory and lumbar adjustment, Bluetooth, two integrated child booster seats, an eight-speaker stereo system, a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel.

Safety and Specifications

The Volvo V70 was not crash tested by the federal government or car insurance organizations, so no specific safety scores are available. However, the 2009 V70 comes equipped with a number of active and passive car safety features, including side airbags, side-curtain airbags, dynamic stability and traction control, and dual-stage front airbags. The good news is typically auto insurers will offer cheap car insurance rates for vehicles with multiple safety features. A quick overview of the 2009 Volvo V70’s specs is provided below.

• Car pricing: $32,900 MSRP; $30,926 invoice
• Engine: 3.2-liter, 235-hp inline-6
• Transmission: six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control
• Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds

Upgrade Options

We’ve summarized the options available on the 2009 V70 below.

• Premium package: eight-way power passenger seat, wood trim, leather seating, a universal garage opener, and a sunroof
• Climate package: heated headlight washers, rain-sensing wipers, and heated front seats
• Convenience package: front and rear parking sensors, power tailgate, trunk grocery bag holder, and rear privacy glass
• Technology package: active bi-xenon headlights, 650-watt stereo, satellite radio, and rear audio controls
• Standalone options: DVD navigation system, keyless entry/ignition, dual-screen rear entertainment system, iPod connectivity, 17-inch wheels, and a blind-spot warning system

How the Volvo V70 Compares to Other Luxury Wagons

The 2009 Volvo V70 is priced appropriately for a luxury wagon, but its fuel economy, handling, and engine power move it toward the back of the class. The V70 has a disappointing city/highway fuel economy rating of 16/25 mpg. The names of several competing luxury wagons are listed below.

• Audi A4 Wagon
• BMW 3-Series Wagon
• Audi A6 Wagon
• BMW 5-Series Wagon

New car guide statistics cite the 2009 Volvo V70’s Intellichoice 5 year cost of ownership as $42,530, which is a below-average value for a luxury wagon. The V70 earned a mediocre score of 5.0 out of 10 on the J.D. Power Quality Ratings for predicted reliability. The 2009 V70’s warranty provides a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty.

Conclusion: Is the 2009 Volvo V70 a Smart Buy?

The inside of the 2009 Volvo V70 is hard to beat, with its simple standard features, loads of cargo space, and comfortable seating. As one would expect from a Volvo, the V70 is also impeccably safe and offers an endless list of cutting-edge safety features. On the other hand, drivers might be disappointed by the underpowered, unrefined engine of the V70. The handling also is not as smooth and precise as you’d expect from a luxury wagon. If you want a roomy, safe vehicle that is not as bourgeois as a rank-and-file SUV, however, the 2009 Volvo V70 is a smart pick.