Best sport wagon 2009 Subaru Outback *Est. $22295
Best premium station wagon 2009 BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon *Est. $36025
Budget seven-seat wagon 2009 Kia Rondo *Est. $17495
Compact, fuel-sipping wagon 2009 Pontiac Vibe *Est. $16735

See All Station Wagons

2009 Volvo V70

*Est. $32,900

Big, flexible cargo bay
Seats four adults comfortably
Plush interior
Variety of safety features
Sophisticated styling

Performance can't match rivals
Unimpressive fuel economy
No crash-test ratings available
Reliability

Where to Buy

Get Free Price Quotes for 2009 Volvo V70

See All Stores

Our Analysis

March 2009. Vast cargo space and a slew of safety features make the 2009 Volvo V70 practical for families, reviewers say. But mediocre performance and fuel economy keep experts from recommending it as often as some other premium wagons, including the high-performance BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon (*est. $36,025 to $37,925) and the ultra-safe Audi A4 Avant (*est. $34,850).

Few wagons can match the Volvo V70 wagon for cargo space: 72 cubic feet with the 40/20/40 split backseat folded, with a power tailgate and plenty of hooks, nets, dividers, straps, compartments and other organizers. That's better than some crossovers and SUVs, reviewers point out. However, they say the Volvo V70 doesn't have the agile handling and efficient fuel economy that usually make a wagon more practical than an SUV. "Don't expect to have any fun," Edmunds.com concludes. Alex Dykes at The Truth About Cars cautions that with the V70` wagon's 235-horsepower, 3.2-liter inline-6, you'll "endure torque steer and grow old as you attempt to reach 60 from a standstill."

The Volvo V70 wagon comes with a six-speed automatic transmission and delivers 20 mpg in mixed driving (16 mpg city/25 mpg highway), according to EPA estimates. That's not much better than the beefier Ford Flex (*est. $28,550 to $34,960), Edmunds.com points out -- and, unlike the five-passenger V70, the Flex can seat seven. Also unlike the Flex, the Volvo V70 station wagon doesn't offer all-wheel drive. For that, you'll have to step up to the Volvo XC70 (*est. $37,250 to $39,500).

The Volvo V70 offers two things most wagons don't, reviewers say: elegant Scandinavian styling and a plethora of unique safety features.

"The V70's cabin is a showcase of modern Swedish style," Edmunds.com says. Its clean lines and extraordinarily comfortable seats set it apart from the competition, according to reviews. The back seat is comfortable for two adults, although testers say three adults would find comfort only for short trips. The back seat also caters to children, with two fold-down child booster seats and optional DVD screens mounted in the front headrests (*est. $1,800).

Although the Volvo V70 wagon hasn't undergone official safety testing since its 2008 redesign, experts are impressed by its long list of safety features. The usual full complement of airbags and electronic stability control come standard, along with Volvo's anti-whiplash system and a feature that can be set to delay incoming phone calls and other distractions when it detects "critical driving situations." You can add options that alert you if the car suspects you're tailgating, out of control, falling asleep at the wheel or have a car in your blind spot.

Reliability ratings are inconsistent for the Volvo V70. J.D. Power and Associates reports average reliability for the V70, based on owner surveys. However, another reputable source predicts that the V70 will be much less reliable than the average car. Volvo backs the V70 with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty.

Edmunds.com and The Truth About Cars both road-test the Volvo V70 wagon and briefly compare it with a few close competitors. Reviews at ConsumerGuide.com, Kelley Blue Book and CanadianDriver are also based on testing, but they provide fewer details than better reviews and don't compare the V70 with any specific rivals. J.D. Power and Associates collects owner opinions about the Volvo V70, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides official fuel-economy estimates. ConsumerReports.org is usually the best source for car reviews, but experts there have not tested the V70; they simply extrapolate from their test of its all-wheel-drive sibling, the XC70.

expand

collapse

Where To Buy

Get Free Price Quotes for
2009 Volvo V70

Our Sources

1. Edmunds.com

Testers here are not impressed with the Volvo V70 station wagon. Although they appreciate its style, cargo space and safety features, they say it lacks the fuel economy and drivability that usually makes them pick wagons over SUVs.

Review: 2009 Volvo V70 Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

2. The Truth About Cars

Alex Dykes tests the 2008 Volvo V70 wagon (largely unchanged for 2009) with two children, making use of the wagon's standard built-in booster seats. He appreciates that feature, as well as the comfortable, roomy interior and spacious cargo bay with lots of organizers.

Review: 2008 Volvo V70 Review, Alex Dykes, Jan. 11, 2008

3. ConsumerGuide.com

The Volvo V70 is one of ConsumerGuide.com's top recommended premium midsize cars. Testers say it's not as punchy as competitors, but they give it very high marks for cargo room and value.

Review: 2009 Volvo V70: Road Test, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

4. Kelley Blue Book

The Volvo V70 station wagon makes Kelley Blue Book's Recommended Shopping List for wagons. This brief review praises its safety, styling and practicality, but testers caution enthusiastic drivers to look elsewhere.

Review: 2009 Volvo V70 Review, Editors of Kelley Blue Book

5. Canadian Driver

Reviewer Bob McHugh is especially impressed with the Volvo V70's comfort and myriad advanced safety features. Test-drive impressions are included, but they're brief.

Review: Test Drive: 2009 Volvo V70, Bob McHugh, Sept. 22, 2008

6. J.D. Power and Associates

The Volvo V70 has displayed average dependability, according to this survey of owners who bought the V70 in 2005. An above-average score for powertrain dependability raises the overall rating; the V70's reliability has been average or worse in all other areas.

Review: 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study -- Midsize Premium Car, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates

7. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

ConsumerReports.org tests the Volvo XC70, which -- aside from its all-wheel drive, lifted body and slightly different styling -- is essentially the same as the front-wheel-drive Volvo V70, reviewers here say. ConsumerReports.org also collects some valuable information about the cars, including their reliability history. This report is only accessible by subscribers.

Review: Volvo V70/XC70, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

8. FuelEconomy.gov

This website run by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy provides official fuel-economy estimates for most 2009 cars. This page includes those estimates for the Volvo V70, along with annual fuel cost predictions and pollution scores.

Review: 2009 Volvo V70 FWD, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov