|
View from a Broad: 2008 Volvo XC70
They had me at “demographics.” When the marketing director said that the Volvo XC70’s target audience was 55 percent women, I was stunned and extremely pleased. I really don’t think I’ve ever heard a car company say that before.
It even gets better. The 2008 Volvo XC70 3.2 AWD is in its third generation. It was launched ten years ago as a crossover, a new industry term at the time. Basically, this means it can go off-road with skill, hold a family (and then some) and has a plush on-road feel. If traditional SUVs are all macho brass, this one’s got a feminine mystique.
Coming in at a price of $36,775, (it can be pumped up to over $45,000), the XC70 is rugged, elegant and athletic looking.
 The Body: A “boxing glove front” propped on broad shoulders helps to push out the suspension to the edges, supporting a smoother ride. The new XC70 is 4” longer than the previous model, with a short overhang both front and rear that keeps the driver from having to crane their neck to parallel park. In the rear, a unique overlapping tailgate (power-controlled and anti-pinch) lifts the taillights when it is opened, making the space easier to load and larger than before. Aluminum rails and movable anchorage points secure shopping bags, field hockey sticks and a getaway weekend’s worth of luggage, and panels also have built-in load anchorage eyelets to keep stuff in place. And if you like hardware, you’ll love the additional hooks, load-anchoring nets, cargo space dividers and other accessories that can be added to customize storage in the cargo bay.
On the Inside: Spare Scandinavian lines dominate the cabin of this Swedish SUV/wagon. Ingenious storage space and functionality are built in, such as the slim floating center stack that you can stash things behind. Front seat passenger and driver get "ortho-posture" supportive seats and ergonomically designed instruments; the rear seat splits 40/20/40, with the center section converting to seating or a wide armrest.
 Locomotion: The ride is smooth, comfortable and refined thanks to sharing components and systems with the super luxurious Volvo S80. Off-road, it’s a beast. All-wheel drive is standard, as is Volvo’s “Instant Traction” system.
We drove the XC70 over six hours on rugged gravel roads in Montana wilderness areas. To test its downhill capabilities we took a series of jaw-dropping, steep declines. The only switch I needed to touch was the electronic “Hill Descent Control” (HDC), which uses the vehicle's brakes and engine torque to crawl in low gear. In true multitasking fashion, the HDC also works in reverse gear.
The heart of the XC70 is a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine making 235 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Combined with a six-speed “Geartronic” automatic, the XC70 was smooth and quick, but I would love to see it with a V8 or turbocharger. No word from the engineers on that one.
 On the Safety Side: Safety ain’t sexy but it’s a key part of Volvo’s appeal. Volvo combines a new height-adjustable integrated child booster cushion - a world first - with an extended inflatable curtain to give the industry's best passenger safety system for kids in the rear seat. A stronger side structure (first introduced on the 2007 Volvo S80) uses high-tensile strength steel to minimize side-impact damage.
The safety checklist includes next-generation Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and enhanced impact protection for pedestrians and cyclists. New options are both geek-and family-friendly: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with collision warning and brake support; Blind Spot Information System (BLIS); Personal Car Communicator (PCC) with Keyless Drive; and two-way car communication and heartbeat sensor.
 Play: Option packages make being a soccer mom or dad more hip. The “Audio Package” includes Premium Sound Dynaudio with a 650-watt amplifier, Dolby Pro-Logic II Surround Sound, 12 Dynaudio speakers, six-CD changer, rear seat headphone jacks and Sirius Satellite Radio. The Volvo Navigation System with DVD map data and remote control along with a dual screen rear seat entertainment system is also available.
Final Thoughts: A car for all seasons, but this Mom wants a little more punch to the pedal.
|
|