Downsizing. This euphemistic term for laying off workers, cutting out features and doing away with entire businesses as industries ‘rationalize’ hardly carries the potency necessary to convey the emotional and physical trauma that often accompanies the act itself. But there’s more than one way to downsize, and for those looking to get out of a full-size SUV and into something a bit more economical, but still equally practical, the large crossover segment is the perfect escape. Enter the Volvo XC70 T6 - a turbocharged workhorse with all the amenities of a luxury sedan and all the cargo space of a good-sized SUV, room for five and a much more tolerable fuel bill - or so it would seem. Equipment and Features Most of the features of the 2009 XC70 T6 are carry-overs from the previous model year, once you get past the drivetrain. That’s a good thing, since the 2008 XC70 was the all-new third-generation of the vehicle, and introduced its own slew of new features. Though there are some retro throwbacks in the cabin’s design - it’s been many years since I’ve seen a full numeric keypad featured so centrally in a new car’s control stack - the overall impression of the cabin is decidedly modern, if somewhat Luddite.
Volvo's satin-finish cabin gives the XC70 an elegant look The satin finish interior is a refreshing change of pace from the high-gloss veneer that dominates almost every other car in the luxury end of the field. It’s also more fitting with our test car’s muted green, beige, and brown tones, and with its intended role of off-road-capable luxury vehicle. It conveys quality and utility at the same time.
Behind the center stack lies a cubby area. Volvo calls this thin central control and interface panel in front of a recessed storage compartment the ‘waterfall’, and the metaphor is apt. It’s a really good use of space, and the minimal visibility of the storage area from outside the car makes it easier to leave semi-valuables, like a phone, camera or other theft-worthy object in the car yet within easy reach, rather than at the bottom of some covered locker or box.
The center stack itself leaves a bit to be desired, however, with the phone-like interface somewhat clunky and hard to use while driving. The limited display capabilities on non-navigation-equipped cars make using the installed Sirius satellite radio a chore, which is unfortunate given the very good quality of the Dynaudio sound system’s Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound speakers.
The somewhat old-fashioned keypad-based interface can be counter-intuitive Seating comfort is high in all positions, though tall rear seat passengers may not find an abundance of leg room. Still, it’s an improvement over the previous model thanks to the car’s switchover to the same platform that underlies the S80 during the 2008 model year.
A rather slick key engagement system accepts the entire fob much in the way a CD-disc player accepts its payload. Once it’s in place, a simple button press starts and stops the car, and then all it takes to free the key fob is another press to trigger the auto-eject mechanism.
One of the XC70’s more deceptive qualities is its rather high door sill height. Though it’s not very tall at the roof line, for a crossover, it does have a good deal of ground clearance - 8.3 inches - and a generous amount of floor-to-sill height, which means you’ll have to lift your legs up to get in and step down surprisingly far to get out. It’s not a situation that would be inconvenient or difficult for most people, but those with joint pain, limited range of motion or other physical limitations on leg-raising might want to pay special attention to this aspect of XC70 ownership before buying. And those in a hurry, encumbered by big feet, or both, will want to note it’s a trip hazard.
Safety has long been Volvo’s strong suit, or at least the company has framed it as such, and the XC70 T6 doesn’t disappoint on the feature list. Beyond the AWD system to enhance grip in treacherous conditions, the car features anti-lock brakes, fully independent suspension front and rear, electronic brake distribution, ‘ready-alert’ brakes that anticipate emergency stops, plus hill descent control, tire pressure monitoring, stability and traction control, a safety cage made of high-tensile steel, full curtain side impact airbags, side-impact airbags, dual front airbags, whiplash protection in the front seats, and advanced seat belts and child anchor points.
The key housing receptacle is interesting and effective without seeming gimmicky A unique feature of the rear seats, also a carryover from the 2008 model year, is the integrated booster seat function, which shows the XC70’s intended roots as an all-terrain family wagon. Combined with the advanced curtain airbag and belt restraint system, the booster seats make for safe transport of children too big for child seats but not big enough to be protected by systems designed for adults.
Technical
The highlight of the new Volvo XC70 T6 is the all-new turbocharged 3.0L six-cylinder engine. Featuring variable valve timing, variable intake and cam profile switching, the car makes smooth power with essentially no noticeable turbo lag or power spike. Peak power of 281hp comes at a comfortable 5,600rpm, while peak torque of 295lb-ft comes just off idle at 1,500rpm - a gain of 60hp and 59lb-ft of torque over the naturally-aspirated 3.2L six-cylinder.
Mated to a Geartronic six-speed automatic with all-wheel drive, the XC70 T6 manages an estimated 15mpg in the city and 22mpg on the highway. Our observed fuel efficiency was nearer to 16mpg in town and 24mpg on the highway, averaging out to about 17.5mpg in mostly city driving, however, which is within the range expected. Driving style is likely to affect this figure significantly on a relatively large vehicle with a turbocharged engine, and though the car is a capable pavement pounder, its off-road setup does not encourage any corner-shredding antics or high-speed runs.
Styling and Exterior
The anteater-like profile common to many modern Volvos has been the subject of much discussion, some favorable, some not so much, but whatever the general result, in the case of the XC70 T6, the overall design is appealing - handsome, even - but not especially attractive.
One thing that might not be immediately comprehended when simply looking at the vehicle from outside is the immense amount of space inside. It hides its size well.
Ample cargo space lies behind the rear seats, and even more is available once those are folded flat Park it in a compact or subcompact parking spot, however, and the extra few feet sticking out the back end will become more readily apparent. The bigger-than-it-looks design owes part of its success to the strong ‘hips’ that run the length of the car. One of the most successful features, this particular fold of the sheet metal gives the car an athletic and slim aspect that would otherwise melt into pudgy protuberance.
On the Road
While the XC70 T6’s turbocharged six-cylinder may sound like a spritely powerplant on paper, in reality it’s a supremely smooth but ultimately unexciting piece of machinery. The relatively small twin-scroll turbo nearly eliminates lag, and does a fair job building high-end steam, but there’s no adrenaline-pumping rush, no force-of-nature torque peak that leaves you yearning for more.
On the other hand, the tall AWD wagon does a remarkably good job of retaining good road manners while offering a measure of off-road capability. It’s surely no log-hopping, rock-climbing body-on-frame SUV, but neither is it ‘just a wagon’. We returned our unit with a fair coating of mud and a smile on our faces - the XC70 T6 will have no problem delivering a group of friends or family to remote recreation spots, taming hilly gravel roads, stream crossings and unpaved boat launches with ease.
Fuel efficiency isn’t great, as noted in the technical section above, especially the 16mpg city results, which can quickly eat through a fuel budget, but the 24mpg highway mileage helps attenuate that figure, especially for commuters and other high-mileage drivers. But it’s worth noting that there are more efficient alternatives if AWD and off-road duty isn’t a necessity.
Final Verdict
This isn’t a sports wagon, and it’s not a luxury sedan. It’s not an SUV, nor is it really a crossover. What the XC70 isn’t is clearer than what it is, which may make the vehicle something of a moving target in the minds of buyers. On the other hand, being a bit of a jack-of-all-trades could mean the XC70 T6 carries more appeal than the average vehicle, offering a bit of everything a family might need rolled into one.
The main question here is whether you should buy the T6 over the other variants of the XC70, and the answer comes in two parts: if you’re looking for a sporting, fun-to-drive wagon with off-road capability and just wish the regular XC70 had a bit more power, this could be your car. If on the other hand you’re looking for economical all-season family transport, the T6 doesn’t add enough in practicality to displace its fuel efficiency penalty, and in fact the V70 might be a better alternative.
Overall, the XC70 T6 is a very well-made vehicle, an exemplar of what a modern Volvo should be in many ways. In others it seems obstinately archaic, almost wilfully backwards-looking, but the sum is a package that’s at once charming, handsome and useful, and I suppose that’s ultimately all you can ask of an all-terrain family wagon.