The XC70 is the ultimate Volvo Estate (Station Wagon)

The Volvo XC70 is essentially a jacked up V70, yet somehow, it's so much more.

Full review of a 2013 3rd generation P3 XC70 All Wheel Drive Estate / Station Wagon, sold between 2007 and 2016.

Model on test is a 2013 D5 AWD SE Lux.

#xc70 #volvoxc70 #volvo

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[kamata]

Hi,

I own a 2008 V70 with the 2.4D variant with 163 bhp and the 6 speed Aisin gearbox. Here are some things I noticed about the car and then I will move to what needs to be checked before buying and after that.

The car is very comfortable and I love it. I have the high performance sound system and it is pretty good. Having AUX port helps when listening to your own music. Seats as mentioned are very comfortable. However the seatbelts arent the most comfortable thing in the world. Volvo did it pretty weird and didnt include any adjustment for the seatbelts. I am 186cm tall and the seatbelt is constantly slipping bellow my shoulder so I have to put it back on all the time (first time I have an issue like this). I have the seat lowered to the minimum and I have the sunroof option and I have 3-4 fingers space above my head which is quite limited. I cant imagine someone taller than me fitting there without hitting the roof. The regular headlights are good enough, just make sure you put good quality bulbs in there. I have the Bosch +120% H7 and I am pretty happy with them. Now some negative things - the original size brakes are quite small - 300mm in the front. You have a few options - 300, 316 and 336mm. Everything is plug and play so I will be doing the bigger brakes for sure as the 300mm brakes feel underpowered for the weight of the car. Some people suggested using the XC60 pistons and disks (328mm) since they are 2 pistons one. The fuel consumption is kinda meh - highway above 7l/100 and city driving in winter is 11-12l which is mindblowing. Also the car is shockingly small on the inside. Passat B7 has more interior room. Toyota Avensis 2012 model is also bigger on the inside.

Reliability/maintenance

1. Some cars crack either the head or the block. Most common issue is wrong coolant (red) or using cheap aftermarket timing belt kit. The auxiliary belt starts shredding and goes into the main belt and locks the engine. You start crying after that. Before buying it can be tested - when the car is cold, open the coolant tank. If you hear "psst", walk away from it.
2. Swirl flaps - Mine were pretty bad and were stuck open, which is preferable. If they were stuck closed, the car goes into limp mode and throws check engine light. I decided to go with ProParts Sweden for the kit. It was only 90 euros and included the flaps, seals and the injector metal O-rings. Original ones were around 200 euros directly from Volvo - just FYI.
3. Injectors - After some time and kms they do fail. In my part of Europe (Balkans) they can be refurbished quite cheaply. Not sure about rest of Europe but they do fail due to age, km and/or low quality diesel.
4. EGR - mine was done for. Software delete as the design itself allows it not to be plugged with a plate. Its actually quite bad if you do it. Complete removal is also not recommended. Thanks to the EGR software deletion, I opted for the cheaper swirl flaps, since the soot and dirt from it, wont go up the intake manifold itself.
5. DFP - Have to drive it on the highway at least once a weak to start regeneration. Otherwise you will need to clean it if it can be cleaned.
6. Thermostat - they do fail and OE/OEM are pretty expensive, around 150-200 euros. I used a French one (cant remember the name) which costed only 50 bucks and the car seems to work just fine. Please note that this was the full body - temp sensor and the whole body with the seal. Some people just replace the thermostat valve itself but my experience is that they do tend to leak, so better safe than sorry.
7. Engine mounts - the 2.4D engine is pretty heavy so it crushes the mounts. Its pretty high torque as well. Use only original from Volvo. Aftermarket ones are not recommended as they actually cause the engine to vibrate even more. Their rubber seems harder than the original ones.
8. Haldex - if your car is AWD, make sure it is serviced. Otherwise the pump and the bearing are pricey and not everyone can repair/replace them.
9. Suspension - Usually its pretty robust but some bushings can be worn due to mileage and age. I replaced a few on my car and it was around 350-400 euros to do so, that includes front and rear. I used Meyle HD parts as they are strengthen ones.

Cant think of something else now. Will add later if I remember something.

[jill]

I have a 2002, 2005 and 2007 xc70, 2013 xc60 and 2015 Volvo XC90

Volvo for life !

[detonator]

They used / still use the later 2015-2016 models in taxis here in Scandinavia. And these cars can handle incredible mileages. Numbers like 700.000 kilometers on the clock aren't uncommon. Very reliable and solid cars.

[liberte]

I have a 2013 XC70 awd d5. This car is going to be 310, 000 km soon, and it is still running without any trouble, and the great sound of Dynaudio while driving is enough to relieve the driver's fatigue. Very very stable, comfortable ride and driving stability are the best differences. If there are no major issues, it is a car I would like to drive for another 10 years. from in S. Korea..

[tonywickins]

Hi we bought our 2007 XC70 2.4 D5 AWD in 2013 at 107k (now 165k) to replace our V70 petrol to tow our caravan and absolutely love it! So comfortable and great for long journeys using the cruise control, really relaxed driving, smooth and easy to use 6 speed gearbox and the last with a proper handbrake. We bought a 2013 XC60 in 2017 keeping the XC70 until we were sure about the XC60 kept it 9 months and sold it preferring the XC70 which is more comfortable, better equipped for drivers who like to be in control knowing what's going on engine wise, better audio system and of course a proper handbrake which comes into it's own in snow! I disagree when you say it's not a drivers car - it is just in a different vain, we have 2 Porsches and if I could only keep just one car it would be the XC70 as it's a great allrounder.

[andycarp]

Hi I own a 2016 xc70 and I have to say it’s the best car I’ve ever owned, extremely comfortable, reasonably good on diesel massive boot area & I love the way dog guard just easily flips up out of they way when not in use I’ve had the car for about a year now and can honestly say I cannot fault it.

[SterlingSigurdsen]

I have a fully loaded 2015.5 XC70 T6 with the Polestar tune, and it is a dream to drive on long trips from here in Vermont to Florida. And in the winter months snow is no issues with my studded Nexen Winguard Winspike 3 tyres.

[connor]

Bought an XC70 D5 SE Lux late 2009, got all the cameras and radars, heated and cooled seat, double glazing windows and much more! Have taken it off road several times and it’s a surprisingly capable car. Long distance cruising is quiet and effortless thanks to the radar cruise control. Very happy with it.

[magnusshawn]

I have a 2012 XC70 T6 188, 000 miles. And yes it has the hill descent control. Absolutely love the power! I can get 27-28 mpg no worries. I also have a 2008 v70 fwd 3.2 with 250, 000 miles. And I had a 2004 XC 70 5cyl turbo. Big fan of these cars. Great video. Thank you. I had a Subaru recently as well. When it comes to comfort, there is NO comparison. Volvo hands down winner.

[grahamlamond]

I have this car and three points to note:
1. You can control all the Sensus functions from the scroll wheel and exit buttons on the right hand side of the steering wheel, or use the voice function which can be customised to recognise your voice.
2. Mine didn’t have the power socket in the boot but you can buy this as a plug and play accessory from Volvo and just drill the hole in the side panel. It’s not expensive but you need to ask for the wiring diagram as it’s not in the kit. Once I had that it explains which connectors to plug into and it was easy. The socket is always live so great for running a cool box or blowing up tyres, air beds etc., when the car is off.
3. You can buy the sunglasses holder from Volvo as an extra and it replaces the grab handle by the driver’s head

Overall I love this car for all the reasons mentioned in the video. The D5 gives me 42mpg at 70mph and 47mpg cross country at 50-60mph in flowing traffic. 35mpg around town. The trick is to keep the revs below 2k as much as possible and let the huge torque work in your favour. The auto transmission works happily like this too. Having said that, whilst it isn’t a driver’s car, it’s overtaking ability is immense. Knock it into Sport and you’re gone.

Biggest plus point? It’s so relaxing that going anywhere is a non-event. Biggest downside? It’s so relaxing that the journey is completely forgettable!

[andunabu]

On my 3rd Volvo and only change them at about 300k miles.
Current one is the D5 185 SE LUX with 200k miles it’s bullet proof. I tow a lot as I have a farm so it goes off road often.
It’s been excellent with no issues. Rarely in the back but was last week and it is so comfortable and quiet.
Best car I’ve owned including better than the a 2 Landcruisers we’ve had.

[vegansheldon]

I have a 2014 xc70 now about over 2 years. I have had other volvo wagons in the past. This one drives the best and I really appreciate the higher suspension.

[generalinformation]

I've had a number of Volvos including two S60Rs and a V70R. My 2015 XC70 T6 is definitely the best of the bunch. I added a set of 20" second hand factory wheels and the handling improved significantly. Caspian blue with black interior... I'll drive it until the wheels fall off!

[blakehemingway]

I own a 14 plate XC70 D5. Just completed a 6 week 5000 mile tour of France, Spain and Portugal with no issues whatsoever. It has now got 178000 on it and the only thing is the tailgate struts are beginning to weaken. You tube shows an easy fix. The best car I've ever had by a country mile.

[April.Wasabi]

2013 xc70 t6 ; first time owner... absolutely love her!

[piewisznia]

Nice! Thanks for helping me learn more about the newer xc70’s. I have a 2005 w/ 250, 000 miles and the places I’ve driven it is unbelievable! Off road where you’ll only see Jeeps, 4wd trucks…and an Xc70 Volvo 😂
Now I’m looking to go newer so your video really helped 🙌 many thanks!

[sambaxrock]

my 2008 XC70 was the best car I've ever owned. It's the a luxury soccer mom tank. The minimalism and quietness of the cabin is unparalleled. I wish they had the D5 in USA, I would buy one again.

[RickiRobertson]

Yeah love the xc70. I have a 3.2 SE 240hp and it's all you need. Love how quiet it is and goes fast enough.

[justincase]

My own xc70 is from 2005, had her since 2016, one of the family, the 4th Volvo ive owned

[Christerart]

I have two of these - a 2005 Euro3 D5 SE (P2 Facelift) and a 2008 Euro4 D5 SE Lux (P3 like the one you are driving) with Volvo's Polestar. They are both Geartronic. The 2005 (you are wrong here) has the 163 hp version of the D5 and regularly gives 55+ mpg over the road whereas the 2008 barely touch the 40mpg (partly because the Polestar makes it a very responsive powerful engine with lots of torque and hence a lot of fun to drive.
They have both been extremely reliable. They both look and drive like new cars.
Buying used, make sure the transmission fluid has been changed (Volvo states it is For Life - it isn't and is not included in regular service) as well as the cam and aux belt.