Though similar in concept and execution to the old V70, the fundamentals of this new car are very different, because it’s based on Ford’s EU-CD building block (the Mondeo, S-Max and S80 are from the same root) rather than Volvo’s old P2x platform.
So apart from powertrains there’s little component carryover from the old car, although the transverse, front-drive layout remains, as do MacPherson struts and multi-link rear suspension. Traction control and stability control are standard. The new body is stiffer than before, benefiting from four grades of high-strength steel to improve its crash behaviour, while side impact protection has been upgraded.
The side curtains now extend deeper to protect children’s heads, and there are optional, two-position built-in booster seats – a world first. Also new is an optional collision mitigation system, called Collision Warning with Brake Support, that works with radar to provide audible and visual warnings if you’re too close to the car in front, as well as preparing the brakes for instant application. There’s also a second-generation anti-whiplash system, and pedestrian protection performance has been improved.
The new body (which scores a decent 0.31 Cd) is bigger, but there’s more interior room too, luggage capacity swelling by 60 litres. This has impacted on the V70’s weight, however, which in the case of the D5 diesel climbs to 1761kg (1835kg as tested) from the old car’s 1640kg.
Engines start with a 197bhp five-cylinder petrol. There’s also a 235bhp 3.2-litre straight six in normally aspirated form or as a turbocharged 281bhp T6 with all-wheel drive. There are two five-cylinder diesels of 161bhp and 182bhp, and it’s the more powerful D5 we test here, with the top-of-the range SE Lux trim level.
