Behind the wheel

Behind the wheel  - 2012 Volvo XC70 Review - Reviews - Volvo XC70

Driving the XC70's turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 took some getting used to. I appreciated the surprisingly zippy kick-in-the-pants feel, as opposed to the sluggishly heavy acceleration I anticipated in such a large wagon. However, it was hard to get the feel for accelerating smoothly during stop-and-go driving without throwing my passengers' heads back into their seats. During one particularly long errand session, my 11-year-old daughter started complaining of some motion sickness.

The braking is soft in comparison, and switching between gently accelerating and more forcefully braking was a challenge the entire week I drove the Volvo.

I've heard others describe the XC70's cornering as topsy turvy and more consistent with an SUV, but this must be highly subjective. To me, the XC70 felt solid and well-connected to the road in corners, while soft enough to float over rough pavement without discomfort.

The EPA estimates the XC70 T6 AWD's mileage at 17/23 mpg city/highway. The less-powerful 3.2 model with front-wheel drive is more efficient, at 19/25 mpg. If you choose this wagon rather than a similarly utilitarian SUV, it shouldn't be for gas-saving purposes. Volvo recommends premium fuel to optimize the XC70's performance.

    See also:

    List of labels
    Model plate. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Codes for color and upholstery, etc. The model plate is located on the rear side of the B-pillar (the pillar between the front and rear passe ...

    Replacing batteries in the remotecontrol and cordless headphones
    The remote control and headphones each run on 2 AAA batteries. Remote control 1. Remove the retaining screw and lift off the battery cover. 2. Remove the old batteries and insert new ones as i ...

    Folding down the rear seat backrests
    The rear seat backrests are split and can be folded down together or separately 1. Pull the release control handle(s). 2. Fold the backrest forward. Adjust the center seat head restraint if nece ...