Volvo V70 D5 Geartronic

Volvo is probably the only manufacturer still in fair competition with the German trio these days. And if it's really doing well anywhere, it's in the business family van class. Sorry, family business vans. When it comes to vans, the shape of the car makes it clear that family comes first, business comes second. And Volvo has always built its image on this value.

Do you still remember the term "Swedish steel"? It was Volvo that brought its quality to the world. Volvo is a pioneer in vehicle safety. Family is the word we probably find number one on the list of Scandinavian values. And last but not least, Volvo vans roamed the roads when there was no spirit or rumors about Avantas and Tourings.

Knowledge and experience, if we look at the German trio (well, twin, Mercedes is an exception), is undoubtedly on the side of Volvo. And this cannot be denied. But you really get it when you start using the V70's interior. For example, the tailgate can be powered if you're willing to pay extra for it. Because of this, the V70 is no longer useful, but it can come in handy when you're caught in a summer storm with your hands full.

More useful, for example, is a hatch hidden in the bottom of the boot, which, when upright with an elastic band, prevents full bags from rolling over the boot. Or a double bottom that has elaborate compartments that house the must-have equipment, the most basic tools, a safety net (when you don't need them), and more.

We probably don't need to waste words on the individuality and orderliness of the rear - Volvo has long been considered a model in this area - and the rear seatbacks, which easily fold in a ratio of 40 to 20 to 40, also say a lot about the thoughtful design of the rear.

The V70, like the larger S80 sedan, has everything from the rear pile to the windshield. The rear passenger vents are mounted in the B-pillars, which is no doubt a Volvo feature, there are plenty of drawers and pockets for small items, but - beware - only for small items (!), Reading lights are for everyone. the passenger individually if you're willing to pay extra, the kids (or adults) in the back can play with their audio component, the seats are generously metered, and, again, if you're willing to pay extra, also dressed in leather.

This is the only place where we brought the first criticism to Volvo. The once-great seats that we sang about and set as a model for our competitors no longer hug the body as nicely as they once did. On top of that, the front seat is too high (electric shifting) and what disappointed us the most is the leather that is too smooth to hide the fact that Volvo is in the hands of American owners (Ford).

Fortunately, Scandinavians do not lose their identity in other areas. You will not find levers on the steering wheel anywhere other than Volvo, the same goes for the slender shape of the center console, for which it is conditionally possible to use a drawer, the gauges are again a Scandinavian specialty; neat, accurate, perfectly readable and with information that is displayed to you when needed.

However, this is not the end of the specifics or rather the technical advancement in the V70. They also take care of the notorious superior security. In addition to the “mandatory equipment” (ABS, DSTC…), active headlights and active cruise control (above 30 km / h) can also be provided with lane, blind spot (BLIS) and safe distance warnings.

There are so many devices that in the end there is only one task left - to turn the steering wheel. The question is whether you will know or be willing to live with all of them. Constant blinking (BLIS), audible lane departure warning, and the head bump you experience when you get too close to the vehicle in front distract you from trusting electronics to drive, and all of these aids (fortunately, they are switchable), much like a child on a toy, you will soon forget.

Much more thoughtful and useful is the smart key, which, without inserting it into the lock, opens and locks the door and starts the engine, and on top of that remembers the settings for the outside rearview mirrors and the driver's seat, if electrically adjustable. In such a V70, the V136 can also be fitted with the least tiresome suspension with three preset damping modes and a six-speed automatic transmission with manual gear shifting to be quick enough, and a powerful five-cylinder turbo diesel, which in the more powerful version has a power of 400 kW and torque of approx. XNUMX Nm.

You must write the winning combination, but only on the condition that you are not a dynamic type of driver who sometimes still likes to test what he is still capable of with his car during turns. Sportiness is the area where the V70 is the furthest away from its German rivals, despite Volvo being the only company to also offer three-way power steering (thank you Ford!).

But the transmission does not like lightning-fast reactions (and you know this for sure even in manual mode), the sport damping program in translation means “a sharp jerk” with accompanying cracks, when the road under the wheels is (too) bad, the steering remains too soft in the “hardest” mode and not communicative enough for sporty pleasures and in the end it seems that the only thing that can still cope with a dynamic driver is the engine.

But let's be honest: the V70 isn't built to be sporty around corners. The words he responds much better to are family and business. However, given the direction the movement is taking, it seems clear to the Swedes what the future of the car will be and where Volvo will be.

Matevz Korosec, photo: Aleш Pavleti.

Volvo V70 D5 Geartronic

Basic data

Sales:	Volvo Car Austria
Base model price:	49.731 €
Test model cost:	61.127 €
Calculate the cost of auto insurance
Power:	136kW (185 KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h):	9,4 with
Maximum speed:	215 km / h
Mixed flow ECE:	7,7l / 100km

Technical information

engine:	5-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbodiesel - longitudinally mounted at the front - displacement 2.400 cm? – maximum power 136 kW (185 hp) at 4.000 rpm – maximum torque 400 Nm at 2.750 rpm.
Energy transfer:	front-wheel drive - 6-speed automatic transmission - tires 225/50 / R 17 V (Continental SportContact2).
Capacity:	top speed 215 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h in 9,4 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 10,1 / 6,2 / 7,7 l / 100 km.
Transportation and suspension:	van - 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front individual suspension, leaf springs, triangular cross members, stabilizer - rear multi-link axle, cross members, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear discs - rolling diameter 11,7 m - fuel tank 70 l.
Mass:	empty vehicle 1.652 kg - permissible gross weight 2.180 kg.
Box:	Trunk volume measured using AM standard set of 5 Samsonite suitcases (total 278,5 L): 5 places: 1 backpack (20 L); 1 × aviation suitcase (36 l); 1 suitcase (85,5 l), 2 suitcase (68,5 l)

Our measurements

T = 18 ° C / p = 1.010 mbar / rel. vl. = 55% / Mileage: 1.836 km / Tires: Continental SportContact2 225/50 / R17 V
Acceleration 0-100km:	9,6s
402m from the city:	17,0 years ( 136 km / h)
1000m from the city:	30,7 years ( 174 km / h)
Maximum speed:	215km / h (WE.)
Minimum consumption:	8,9l / 100km
Maximum consumption:	11,2l / 100km
test consumption:	9,6 l / 100km
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	41,8m
AM table:	39m
Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear	54dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear	52dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear	52dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear	64dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear	62dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear	60dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 6rd gear	58dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear	66dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear	64dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 6rd gear	63dB
Test errors:	unmistakable

Overall rating (361/420)

• The new generation V70 proves that this is a true family van. Maybe even more than its predecessor. It's bigger, more spacious, safer, more modern, and in many ways more attractive. This applies not only to driving dynamics (resistance to sporty cornering) and price. This is not a family at all.

• Exterior (13/15)

  Scandinavian design school based on Scandinavian quality. A combination that rarely fits.

• Interior (125/140)

  There are almost no things inside that would bother you. If yes, then it is smooth leather and small boxes.

• Engine, transmission (36
  
  
  / 40)

  Technically, the engine and transmission are completely equivalent to others in this class. The gearbox could be faster.

• Driving performance (78
  
  
  / 95)

  He loves comfort, suffers from sportiness. The drivetrain, steering wheel and semi-active chassis are not designed for acceleration.

• Performance (30/35)

  We have nothing to complain about this Volvo in terms of performance. Especially when compared with fuel consumption.

• Security (40/45)

  There might even be too much security. Some electronic aids can be annoying while driving.

• Economy

  The only thing really economical about this V70 is fuel consumption. Everything else is premium, if you understand us.

We praise and reproach

form

comfort

materials, equipment

engine

counters, information system

smart key

transparency

luggage compartment

non-dynamic gearbox

smooth leather on the seats

driving dynamics

subversive electronic means

loud warning about unfastened seat belt

test model price