opinions on Volvo xc70

Rolandtheroadie

We're back to square one I'm afraid, the volvos off the radar now.

I've suggested a Subaru before, but it was a no.

I've now to trawl ebay looking for alternatives, although with UK holidays planned next year, with 3 kids and a dog, she's swaying towards another Grand Voyager.

Thanks for the assistance folks.

Tiddlywinks

Why are you doing the trawling?

Her car - so why can't she do it herself - especially as looks seem to be one of the most important things.

Marktheshark

The Kia Sorento 4x4 diesel Auto is in that range price wise and is a very robust and reliable machine, well worth a look in that price range, very underrated 4x4 with good mpg for a 4x4.
Ability wise its up with the other non crawler box 4x4 like freelanders, and well above the x5 and merc 4x4's off road.
Good strong powerful engine and responsive 5 speed auto box and spares are cheap.
Those that run them swear by them for reliability and build quality.

Rolandtheroadie

She likes the Sorento. I'd posted on a Kia forum earlier in the month for opinions on the Sorento vs Sportage.

Marktheshark

The sportage is only 2 litre diesel in that price range I think and bit sluggish, the sorento is 2.5 and just shy of 170 bhp and 32 mpg with 40+ on the motorway.
The boots also big enough for dogs and luggage.

Know someone with a Sorento auto diesel and they are up to 170k with no issues other than servicing, it can also wade a bit of water and get through snow.
Inside and out its well made, to ride in its surprisingly quiet and comfortable and feels confident, visibility is great and it can move if needed, the kickdown is great and responsive.
The steering lock is almost London taxi and its easy to park.
Underrated machines, just like Toyota was in the 80's.

I would certainly look at one

The volvo in the real world with the 4x4 and Audi 2.5 diesel lump is 24 mpg with a very light foot and 20 without, they are good cars but very bland and dull inside, also very dated shape and the v70 has a turning circle of the titanic, you need those 7 point turns polished !.

BeenThroughItAll

Marktheshark wrote: »

The volvo in the real world with the 4x4 and Audi 2.5 diesel lump is 24 mpg with a very light foot and 20 without, they are good cars but very bland and dull inside, also very dated shape and the v70 has a turning circle of the titanic, you need those 7 point turns polished !.

Rubbish. Owned a D5 AWD have you?

22,563mi done in my V70AWD, average fuel consumption was 42MPG in mixed use on an auto box. Towing average with a 1285KG caravan was 29.8MPG over 1253 miles.

And, Audi diesel? Cobblers. The D5 was designed and developed by Volvo and shares nothing with Audi.

You are, however, correct about the turning circle.

bigjl

BillyFord wrote: »

Can you not see the XC70 is a 4x4 version of the V70?

Ok let's go by your logic if the 4x4 transit isn't a transit van then what is it? A Vauxhall Cavalier. :rotfl:

Are being deliberately argumentative?

The XC70 is based on the same platform but it isn't just an AWD V70

In the same way as an Octavia Scout is not just an AWD Octavia estate, they make an AWD Octavia estate aswell.

They are based on the same platform and share many parts but that doesn't make them the same.

If somebody posted up an advert for an Octavia Scout why would I recommend buying a FWD Octavia Estate.

bigjl

Marktheshark wrote: »

The sportage is only 2 litre diesel in that price range I think and bit sluggish, the sorento is 2.5 and just shy of 170 bhp and 32 mpg with 40+ on the motorway.
The boots also big enough for dogs and luggage.

Know someone with a Sorento auto diesel and they are up to 170k with no issues other than servicing, it can also wade a bit of water and get through snow.
Inside and out its well made, to ride in its surprisingly quiet and comfortable and feels confident, visibility is great and it can move if needed, the kickdown is great and responsive.
The steering lock is almost London taxi and its easy to park.
Underrated machines, just like Toyota was in the 80's.

I would certainly look at one

The volvo in the real world with the 4x4 and Audi 2.5 diesel lump is 24 mpg with a very light foot and 20 without, they are good cars but very bland and dull inside, also very dated shape and the v70 has a turning circle of the titanic, you need those 7 point turns polished !.

The Sorento Diesel engine is not as reliable as you might think

If you look around you see loads with knackered engines.

In fact when I was on holiday the wife's cousins Sorento engine went when we were using it, started knocking like a good un.

And that was a losing miles one imported from South Korea.

I only realised they were unreliable when I checked online for a second hand engine (from Europe as the car in question is LHD)

BeenThroughItAll

bigjl wrote: »

The Sorento Diesel engine is not as reliable as you might think

If you look around you see loads with knackered engines.

In fact when I was on holiday the wife's cousins Sorento engine went when we were using it, started knocking like a good un.

And that was a losing miles one imported from South Korea.

I only realised they were unreliable when I checked online for a second hand engine (from Europe as the car in question is LHD)

They're also not that economical, and the interior plastics are horrible. Look at available secondhand ones and often you'll find the steering wheel will show wear horribly, the 'leather' on the seats wears through if you look at it for too long, and lettering on switchgear rubs off.


At least, that was my experience of <4K Sorentos when I wanted a cheap towcar last year. Ended up with a 97 2.5TD Jeep Grand Cherokee manual for £900, which was in way better condition at almost 120K than any of the ten years newer Korean stuff I'd looked at with less than 80K on and at five times the money.

BeenThroughItAll

bigjl wrote: »

Are being deliberately argumentative?

The XC70 is based on the same platform but it isn't just an AWD V70

In the same way as an Octavia Scout is not just an AWD Octavia estate, they make an AWD Octavia estate aswell.

They are based on the same platform and share many parts but that doesn't make them the same.

If somebody posted up an advert for an Octavia Scout why would I recommend buying a FWD Octavia Estate.

Having owned a V70AWD, a V70, and having worked on an XC70 extensively, the differences are minor. Basically longer shocks and springs to raise the ride height, different wheels, and some bits of metal underneath intended to act as skidplates. Otherwise, all differences are cosmetic. Engine, gearbox, suspension arms, brakes, steering system - all identical.