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I currently run a nearly 10 year old Skoda Octavia vRS estate. It has served me well and still does, it's a bit tatty now (kids, eh...) but has covered less than 100k kms.
From time to time I look around to see what I'd swap it for. Other car is a 6 month old Partner. I'd like something that's a bit more of a car than the Partner for longer journeys, but it needs boot space. I've been looking at some XC70 2nd hand (2015 or 2016 model) and they seem an attractive idea, but at the end of the day, the XC bit would only be for show most of the year (except the week we go skiing...).
Any Volvo recommendations or thoughts? I've never had one but always thought they are good.
Do it....
Mines the best car we have ever had.
Be aware of very subtle differences in engines can result in very different performance/ mpg / tax.
XC70 on D5 (205) is about 30mpg and £360 tax.
V70 on D3 (the same 5cyl engine as above, 2.0lt size though and smaller single turbo) is currently averaging 48mpg and £20 tax in my car (2013 V70 SE).
V70 of that age is half Mondeo - so cheap brakes etc.
New D3 or D4 are superb, be aware early versions around 2013 had some EGR issues.
I have the D5 215 v70 and pay £270 pa rfl. I wouldn't get too fixated on that though, it's not the most significant cost you'll face, as that's probably fuel. I put Cross Climates on mine so though it's not 4wd it copes with the annual ski trips no bother and I don't have to drag the 4wd gubbins around for the rest of the year.
Mines a 65k miles 2013 model had it since 6 months old and nothing to report so far apart from two different twits running into it on two separate occasions on the same roundabout...
One advantage the Volvo XC cars have over cars like the Octavia is the higher seating position, which makes it a bit easier getting in and out of the car. I’ve owned an Octavia for around twelve years, While I don’t own a Volvo XC car, I do get to drive them often, through work, albeit for fairly short distances these days. The only reason I wouldn’t own one is that I don’t need such a large car, but they’re lovely to drive, very well equipped, and you can find them with the QuickClear heated screen, which is a nice thing to have on frosty mornings. Very comfy seats, as one might expect.
Boblo is right - at bike club yesterday I was comparing same year XC70 d5 as our V70 D3 for mpg
The xc owner was frustrated at 30mpg, I am pleased with near 50...
She also pointed out that £30 tax a month is a third a tank of fuel month.
As ever, you pay for 4x4 ability and big engine, on essentially same car.
Thanks, and yes, am aware of the XC cons - and have cross climates on the Octavia and it already performs well for everything I need. Will look at some V's too. You've all confirmed what I've always thought though, that once you've driven a Volvo you'll be impressed.
V40 owner here. D2 engine, zero tax and 60-70 mpg. Build quality is good and my local dealer (Carlisle) has been spot on. The boot is a tad small but I can get the fatty in with the front wheel removed. Mine is a 65 plate.
Some things I'm enjoying about Volvo...
- stereo is ace. Like properly clear.
- such logical, simple switches. Like how the cruise works.
- the subtle illuminating footwells and 'spotlight' on dash at night.
- the headlights are really great.
- the boot is deceptive in how wide it is - wider than our Galaxy was.
- heated, comfy seats = ace journeys in the cold...
One of those threads I'm going to regret (financially at least 🙂 ) There is a lot to like about them. Looking at XC90s XC70s, V90 cross country and V60 cross country but also Vs in general. Blimey. They look lovely. Need to go and drive some to see what I need.
XC90 - if you have kids/dogs/bikes/guns at, they're ace! The extra seats are proper seats adults can use. The boot is HUGE when it's a five seater, even huger when two seats only, and then you can lay the passenger seat flat as well. Van size! They're big, and a bit bland to drive, but munch miles like nothing else.
V70XC - A V70 on stilts. See below.
V70 - Brilliant cars (see my earlier post!) The big engine ones, turbo tweaked, are real Q cars and surprisingly fun to drive for a barge. Massive boot, as with the above, and like the XC90, just about the comfiest seats on the planet. If you don't need the extra 3" or whatever of ground clearance, a better bet than the XC, and if you don't need the extra size, a better bet than the 90.
The new V90 - HUBBAH HUBBAH! Great looking car, but loses a bit of boot for the styling IMHO.
Picked up an R-Design V40 this weekend, really happy with it...still early days and getting familiar but all good so far.
Came from a 07 Corsa though so night and day really.
I had a V70 D5 , and have just bought another
I run well into the bangernomics end of motoring. The latest one was £950 and so far it appears ok. Headlamp adjuster motor had failed, so £12 on ebay for a new one.
They were ahead of their time in design and comfort. The D5 engine is a great power plant , the best mix of oomph where neccessary and economy when you dont. My best was 57mpg over a tabk, and its a huge tank.
As Matt says , its all th clever touches, the lights under the mirrors that illuminate the paveement ,follow me home lights, Hid lamps that penetrate the dakness , the front seat almost folds flat to take a grandfather clock, ( other big clocks are available )
Downsides are keys , Volvo main dealer for a reprogram if you lose one or need a new one. At my end of the scale any major componant fail will write off the car. Power steering racks take some punishment as they are heavy cars , the lock / turning circle is huge , aux belt tensioners fail and take out aux bbelt, which whips into cambelt, which kills engine. lower front wishbones also need frequent replacement, ie they do not last forever
I went from a 2006 Octavia that I had had for 8 years to a 2013 V70 a couple of years ago.
The Octavia was great, but the Volvo is better in most ways. A real workhorse that just seems to do everything that I need it to.
D5 5cylinder twin turbo 215bhp which long term average shows 47mpg. Tax is £120 a year. (as Matt_OAB says there are some complex and inconsistent engine model labeling, so check that you are looking at what you are looking for)
The boot is huge. Has carried some big loads. Once had three fridges in the back at once, another time a three seater sofa. Bikes go in with wheels on. Very usable space with wide entry, completely flat floor and vertical rear. Split rear seats with ski Hatch. Front seat even folds flat. It's great for sleeping in at races with plenty of room for bike and kit alongside.
It is so comfortable with heated leather sofas. Good stereo. Well thought out cabin. Heated screen. Great for long journeys. I used to be happy heading to Germany and the Alps in the Octavia, but having now done the journey a few times in the Volvo and recently driving an Octavia again, I can't imagine how I used to cope. It really is a couple of notches up from a skoda.
It drives well too, with enough power and smoothness that it never feels like the engine is working hard. Huge 75l fuel tank.
I considered an xc70 but I couldn't justify the increased purchase cost and running costs so went for the V and some winter tyres.
We have a 2004 V70, owned for 100k miles - now on 175k. Best car ever owned, solid, reliable, comfortable and massive mile muncher. Do South of France every year in it without issue.
Will be replaced eventually with a XC90
New shape V60 is beautiful
Test drove an XC 60 a couple of years back ( over 2 days) and would agree that it's an excellent brand and a really well speccd car was sorely tempted ..this was prior to the new model..but was put off by the auto gearbox which seemed to have a mind of its own with some really random changes ( and fuel consumption at best low 30's)..we decided to keep our X-trail for a while longer ..eventually changing it this year for an Audi A6 Allroad 3.0l diesel V6 S-tronic ( 272hp)..which although a little sluggish eventually gets you there 😉
I've just got rid of of Mrs Davesport's XC70 D5. Bought new, sold at six years old turning 100K. If you're happy with the slightly staid image I don't think you'd regret buying one. It's a composed and very comfortable car driven at sensible speeds. It becomes a bit floaty driven hard on twisty roads but that's the only criticism I could I could come up with. I took ours to places an estate car simply shouldn't have been able to go in the snow and mud and never got it properly stuck.
Apart from regular servicing it had two complete sets of front brakes inc disks, pads and disks on the rear, front wheel bearings, and the EGR cooler valve replaced at five years, half of whitch Volvo paid for. We'd have definitely had another but Mrs D wanted a van for her bikes.
Recommended.
I'm Volvo curious to, looking at either an XC40 or 60 next but waiting on the all electric versions for now (although might just go for a hybrid). The only thing that's put me off is they come out badly in reliability surveys (not Land Rover bad but not far off).
peekay
I went from a 2006 Octavia that I had had for 8 years to a 2013 V70 a couple of years ago.The boot is huge. Has carried some big loads. Once had three fridges in the back at once, another time a three seater sofa. Bikes go in with wheels on. Very usable space with wide entry, completely flat floor and vertical rear. Split rear seats with ski Hatch. Front seat even folds flat. It’s great for sleeping in at races with plenty of room for bike and kit alongside.
Octavia estate's boot is bigger than a V70s. (575 vs 610 litres)
I test drove a 2013 of both cars and chose an Octavia because the ride was a bit sportier. The V70 was a perfectly good car, better interior but the drive was softer. Depends what you're after.
The turning circle seemed boat-like on the volvo, but I've just looked it up and there's hardly any difference (12.something vs 11.something metres).
Octavia estate’s boot is bigger than a V70s. (575 vs 610 litres)
Just checked and you are correct. My Octavia was the previous version though so slightly different to the 2013 one, but on paper there is not much between them. V70 certainly feels bigger and more usable though. Very rarely have the seats up in the back and use it as more of a covered pick up though .
Good cars.
I’ve owned an XC90 (too big for me) and an XC60 D4SE which was nice too.
I had no problems with either car, both covered abou 55k.
Would I own another, yes (but I’ve changed brands and like what I’ve chosen now)
Volvos are for life not just for Wellies.