There's a war a raging in the automotive marketplace. The two armies are the ever-popular sport-utility vehicles and a fairly new crop of all-wheel-drive cars. Yeah, we know, Subaru has been blowing the AWD horn (all their current models feature AWD) for some time now, and in the past Toyota offered AWD on the Corolla and Camry models. But we're talking high-end stuff here; upscale sedans and wagons for those folks who don't cotton to an SUV's bulk, clumsiness and fuel appetite, but who do like the secure feeling of AWD traction and control, especially in poor-weather driving conditions.
Those vehicles trying to steal some sales away from the SUVs include Mercedes-Benz with their 4matic AWD E-class sedan and wagon, Audi's quattro sedans and wagons, and now Volvo with AWD versions of their V70 GLT wagon and S70 GLT sedan called simply the V70 AWD and S70 AWD. Actually, the V70 AWD was introduced last year, as was the "Cross Country"; Volvo's more rugged, raised suspension version of the V70 AWD wagon. This review focuses on the S70 AWD sedan.
When Volvo facelifted their 850 line last year and renamed it the 70 series, the makeover was a success. The corners of the traditionally Volvo boxy body were softened, and along with the smoothly integrated lamp clusters front and rear, make for a pleasing design. The style of these Volvos is purposeful, classy and well-proportioned.
The interior is a nice place to log miles. Volvos have had a reputation for making some of the best seats in the car biz (in terms of comfort and proper support) for ages. And the latest chairs support this theory as well as your back. For those folks residing in colder climates, the ever-important seat heaters are top notch; heating up quickly and providing even distribution of said heat. In more recent years, Volvo's stereos have garnered a reputation for kickin' sound. Go ahead, blast that U2 CD if the mood strikes you; you'll swear Bono and the lads are playing in the back seat!
Of course, there are safety features galore; front and side airbags, front/rear crumple zones, antilock disc brakes, three-point belts for all occupants, daytime running lights, and others too numerous to mention. You could say that Volvo's priority for safety is alive and well. And yes, a lot of other carmakers have the same safety equipment. Isn't competition great?!
Featuring the same light-pressure turbocharged, four valves-per-cylinder, inline five-cylinder engine as the S70 GLT, the AWD sedan has the same crisp performance in spite of the slight weight gain of the AWD system. In fact, even the V70 AWD wagon gets to 60 mph in less than eight seconds, a performance on par with the quicker sport coupes and sedans. Using a low-boost setting for the turbo means it's not necessary to zing the tach needle towards redline to get the most out of the five-banger. Maximum torque of 199 foot-pounds is attained at only 1800 rpm, translating into sprightly around-town pickup and good passing power on the highway. This engine's power curve mates nicely to the four-speed automatic gearbox; the only tranny available with this powerplant. Those enthusiast types (like us) who like to shift for themselves can opt for the hot-rod R wagon. This conservative shoe box features a high-pressure turbo that has even more power (247 horsepower versus 190 horsepower in the light-pressure turbo), and is a blast when hooked up to a five-speed manual box. I recall, when evaluating the V70 R wagon, surprising the hell out of some tailgating hotshot in a Thunderbird supercoupe...oh the look on his face as the Volvo wagon dusted him was priceless, but we digress. The binders of the S70 AWD are up to the task of scrubbing off the easily gotten velocity; as a stopping distance of only 125 feet from 60 mph attests.
Volvo's suspension team did a good job of striking a balance in the handling and ride equation. Due to those pesky laws of physics, there is an inverse relationship between a car's handling ability and ride comfort on bumpy roads. A softer suspension gives a smoother ride but handling suffers due to too much body lean and wallow in corners, whereas firmer suspension settings provide better handling by keeping body motion in check, but the ride tends to be less compliant over the bumps. The S70 AWD handles just fine, and though the ride is a touch on the firm side, it is not stiff by any stretch. The only gripe we had was over highway expansion joints; for some reason these weren't damped as well as other bumps that the car simply dismissed.
We'd like to say that we were able to test the mettle of the AWD system, but alas, the roads were dry during my brief time with the car. Earlier this year, however, we had the chance to try the S70 AWD in Canada, on snowy and icy roads, and reported that the AWD and traction-control systems were confidence-inspiring on the slippery stuff. And this high-tech wizardry doesn't call attention to itself, its just goes about its business automatically, stopping wheelspin and transferring power to the wheel(s) with the best grip.
So, what would it be if it were our $35 to $40 large, a Volvo AWD car or an SUV? Hmmm... Performance, comfort, 21 miles to a gallon and parking ease versus a typical SUV's lack of athleticism, stiffer ride, 14-15 mpg and parking woes. Unless we really needed that towing capacity it'd be a no brainer; give us the Volvo AWD.
Those vehicles trying to steal some sales away from the SUVs include Mercedes-Benz with their 4matic AWD E-class sedan and wagon, Audi's quattro sedans and wagons, and now Volvo with AWD versions of their V70 GLT wagon and S70 GLT sedan called simply the V70 AWD and S70 AWD. Actually, the V70 AWD was introduced last year, as was the "Cross Country"; Volvo's more rugged, raised suspension version of the V70 AWD wagon. This review focuses on the S70 AWD sedan.
When Volvo facelifted their 850 line last year and renamed it the 70 series, the makeover was a success. The corners of the traditionally Volvo boxy body were softened, and along with the smoothly integrated lamp clusters front and rear, make for a pleasing design. The style of these Volvos is purposeful, classy and well-proportioned.
The interior is a nice place to log miles. Volvos have had a reputation for making some of the best seats in the car biz (in terms of comfort and proper support) for ages. And the latest chairs support this theory as well as your back. For those folks residing in colder climates, the ever-important seat heaters are top notch; heating up quickly and providing even distribution of said heat. In more recent years, Volvo's stereos have garnered a reputation for kickin' sound. Go ahead, blast that U2 CD if the mood strikes you; you'll swear Bono and the lads are playing in the back seat!
Of course, there are safety features galore; front and side airbags, front/rear crumple zones, antilock disc brakes, three-point belts for all occupants, daytime running lights, and others too numerous to mention. You could say that Volvo's priority for safety is alive and well. And yes, a lot of other carmakers have the same safety equipment. Isn't competition great?!
Featuring the same light-pressure turbocharged, four valves-per-cylinder, inline five-cylinder engine as the S70 GLT, the AWD sedan has the same crisp performance in spite of the slight weight gain of the AWD system. In fact, even the V70 AWD wagon gets to 60 mph in less than eight seconds, a performance on par with the quicker sport coupes and sedans. Using a low-boost setting for the turbo means it's not necessary to zing the tach needle towards redline to get the most out of the five-banger. Maximum torque of 199 foot-pounds is attained at only 1800 rpm, translating into sprightly around-town pickup and good passing power on the highway. This engine's power curve mates nicely to the four-speed automatic gearbox; the only tranny available with this powerplant. Those enthusiast types (like us) who like to shift for themselves can opt for the hot-rod R wagon. This conservative shoe box features a high-pressure turbo that has even more power (247 horsepower versus 190 horsepower in the light-pressure turbo), and is a blast when hooked up to a five-speed manual box. I recall, when evaluating the V70 R wagon, surprising the hell out of some tailgating hotshot in a Thunderbird supercoupe...oh the look on his face as the Volvo wagon dusted him was priceless, but we digress. The binders of the S70 AWD are up to the task of scrubbing off the easily gotten velocity; as a stopping distance of only 125 feet from 60 mph attests.
Volvo's suspension team did a good job of striking a balance in the handling and ride equation. Due to those pesky laws of physics, there is an inverse relationship between a car's handling ability and ride comfort on bumpy roads. A softer suspension gives a smoother ride but handling suffers due to too much body lean and wallow in corners, whereas firmer suspension settings provide better handling by keeping body motion in check, but the ride tends to be less compliant over the bumps. The S70 AWD handles just fine, and though the ride is a touch on the firm side, it is not stiff by any stretch. The only gripe we had was over highway expansion joints; for some reason these weren't damped as well as other bumps that the car simply dismissed.
We'd like to say that we were able to test the mettle of the AWD system, but alas, the roads were dry during my brief time with the car. Earlier this year, however, we had the chance to try the S70 AWD in Canada, on snowy and icy roads, and reported that the AWD and traction-control systems were confidence-inspiring on the slippery stuff. And this high-tech wizardry doesn't call attention to itself, its just goes about its business automatically, stopping wheelspin and transferring power to the wheel(s) with the best grip.
So, what would it be if it were our $35 to $40 large, a Volvo AWD car or an SUV? Hmmm... Performance, comfort, 21 miles to a gallon and parking ease versus a typical SUV's lack of athleticism, stiffer ride, 14-15 mpg and parking woes. Unless we really needed that towing capacity it'd be a no brainer; give us the Volvo AWD.
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