Volvo XC70 at the age of 200 thousand plus: what is "in the bottom line"?

A lot of things are "in the balance" and "powder flasks" of the Swedish car, despite its considerable age. A new generation of Volvo has already been born and grown up, and the model with the XC70 index continues to travel confidently on the roads of the world, invariably attracting the views of its neighbors in the lane. Often, we note, frankly envious eyes. Not everyone will dare to cut such a solid car.


There is something to admire and envy: calm strength and dignity, self-confidence, good quality. But we will still try to find weaknesses, dubious qualities and other “small nasty things” in the Volvo XC70. Will it succeed?

A Brief History of the Volvo XC70

First there was the city station wagon Volvo V70. It sold well, but the manufacturer caught the changing needs of the buyer and in 2002 created a model with the XC70 index, giving the car an off-road character. However, the car only looked like an SUV, and according to its characteristics, it didn’t go far from the “big brother”.


The invariably stable demand for a crossover (or an all-terrain wagon) suggested to the management of the car factory that the model was worthy of further development. In 2011, a restyled version of the XC70 saw the light. The developers did not allow fundamental and cardinal changes in the performance of the car, the design was so successful.

And in the exterior and interior they embodied the most progressive trends in the industry. Moreover, the manufacturer, ahead of time, seemed to look a couple of decades ahead: otherwise, why is the Volvo XC70 so appropriate and organic today? But we were going to expose the Swedes in some way...

Exterior and interior of the Volvo XC70

Outwardly, everything is more than solid: bi-xenon optics, headlight washers with covers (serve up to 50 thousand km), the lenses automatically follow the turn of the steering wheel. The radiator grille with large cells, the "family" nameplate is large and expressive. The glazing of some models in a circle is double shockproof, additionally protecting from street noise.


The wheel arches and sills are plastic, as it should be in an SUV with a clearance of 21 cm. But the silver lining on the bumpers treacherously whispers that steep off-road conditions are not for these elegant cars. And they, the cars, by the way, do not claim the title of champions in overcoming the bump and put up with a modest “all-terrain wagon”.

Okay, but where are the disadvantages? If you hide your conscience away, then you can point out to the Swedes the uneconomical consumption of antifreeze in headlight washers. The windshield wiper motor housing is also not tight enough: moisture that has entered can disable the mechanism and control electronics (repair - up to 18 thousand rubles). Not a lot ... Well, since you can’t even find fault with the paintwork on welds and hidden cavities, we go to the salon.

The impeccable quality of the finish, the precise articulation of parts, the well-thought-out arrangement of devices leave no room for criticism. There are cruise control ailments, but no more than other brands. Blind spot sensors can fail when it rains (penny costs from the dealer).


The electronics are reliable, and some drivers consider the lack of virtual assistants, no matter how ridiculous it may sound, to be a disadvantage. In total, 40 peripheral consumers are installed in Volvo, but since they do not create problems, we will immediately climb under the hood.

Volvo XC70 engines

The buyer is offered a rich range of engines:

✅ 3,2 l, gasoline, 6-cylinder aspirated, giving 243 hp With.
✅ 3,0 l, gasoline, power - 304 liters. With.
✅ D5 2,4L turbodiesel generating 215 “horses”
✅ D4 2,4 l, turbodiesel, 163 and 181 l. With.

In the arsenal of "Volvo" there is another diesel engine D4 (Drive-E), which develops 181 hp. With. and nicknamed the "2-liter milk carton". The motors are reliable (working life is 300 thousand km and above), but they require maintenance strictly according to the regulations, otherwise big troubles can happen.


We are talking about the alternator belt: the timing of its replacement is 60 thousand kilometers, but it is better to worry about the details in advance. Moreover, you need to take the original element with which the machine rolls off the assembly line. The belt tends to break, but the analogues, unlike the "native", when broken and delaminated, strive to get under the timing belt. The case may end with the replacement of the cylinder head at a cost of 400 thousand rubles. To avoid embarrassment, you need to monitor the condition of the anthers that protect the belt: not a guarantee, but it’s not superfluous to make sure.


In the post-styling Volvo XC70 models, only a small part of the cars came out with front-wheel drive, and “AWD” flaunts on the rear hoods. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via a 5th generation Haldex clutch. This unit does not provide a filter, but there is a pump mesh that needs to be cleaned at each MOT. And every time, either frictional dust or clots of dirt are found here, which can disable the pump. It is undesirable to allow this, because the all-wheel drive clutch costs 25 thousand rubles.

Трансмиссия

The Japanese 6-speed automatic AISIN, installed in the Volvo XC70, has earned the name "indestructible". Fair enough, subject to proper operation: the box is not for record jerks “from zero to a hundred”. Usually those respectable, adult, non-poor people whom the Swedish manufacturer has appointed as its audience take a balanced and serious approach to driving a car: they do not tear the box and suspension. Therefore, the "Japanese" they really develop the pledged resource, and the owners do not need to lay out 100 thousand hard-earned dollars for the repair of the checkpoint.


There are disputes about changing the oil in the AISIN machine: to change or not to change, because the manufacturer positions the unit as maintenance-free. But they have it in Japan, and we have it serviced: you need to change the transmission partly for 20 thousand kilometers or completely for 60 thousand kilometers. Issue price - from 5 thousand rubles.

The potential of the Volvo XC70 with 200 miles

By this age, the car is suitable with a box and suspension in good condition, if you do not take into account individual cases of recklessness of fans of extreme driving. At this point, the motors produce only 50-60% of their resource. As a rule, the car remains comfortable, reliable and safe. The latter quality, by the way, has become synonymous with the Swedish brand.

But it does not hurt to drive the car for prevention and troubleshooting. Age-related ailments will be found, and they must be eliminated in order to continue to enjoy travel in a comfortable, stylish, well-equipped car.


Most likely, at the 200th milestone, you will need the following spare parts, consumables and assemblies:

✅ Catalytic converter - from 150 thousand rubles.
✅ Glow plugs for diesel engines - 550 rubles.
✅ Engine pillow - from 2 rubles.
✅ Shock absorber springs - from 4 rubles.
✅ Lambda probe - from 7 thousand rubles.
✅ Suspension arms - from 14 thousand rubles. for 1 piece

In addition, you will need oil and air filters, power steering fluid and lubricants, brake pads. The total will be six figures.

Drivers consider expensive maintenance and maintenance of the Volvo XC70 a disadvantage of the car. However, with this “disadvantage”, the demand for the model does not fall: in the secondary market, each instance quickly acquires an owner. A car, as a mechanical means of transportation, cannot be ideal a priori. But the “Swede” is so soundly and of high quality made that they say about it: this car is forever.