Calmness itself / Volvo test drives

All-road station wagons are in trend today — new Audi A6 Allroad and Subaru Outback are already on sale, and now the Swedish player has joined them: Volvo XC70 has changed its generation. Interestingly, the premiere of the third XC70 coincided with the tenth anniversary of the entire lineup: it was in 1997 that the first all-wheel-drive station wagon with the XC prefix — V70 XC — debuted. It instantly won the sympathy of buyers, because it was the perfect compromise: all-wheel drive, a spacious body, suitable both for trips out of town and for daily routine in a metropolis.

The new XC70 looks noticeably more interesting than its predecessor. It is built on the basis of the V70 station wagon, which in turn is derived from the S80 sedan. The “off-road” version is distinguished by a flashy plastic body kit along the lower perimeter of the body with silver accents. It looks fresh and daring. The station wagon's appearance has a certain zest: the car seems to hint that it wouldn't mind a brisk ride on gravel.

But as soon as you find yourself in the cabin, the mood changes. If on the outside the XC70 tries in every way to distance itself from its asphalt relatives, inside it is one and inseparable with them. The same massive front panel with a visor over the instrument cluster, the same neat keys on the “floating” center console. Ergonomics are in order, although you need to get used to the small buttons. The steering wheel adjusts over a wide range — both in height and reach.

The seats offer a relaxed, unobtrusive seating position, and lateral support is almost absent. This immediately hints at the car's character. However, seat ventilation and heating are available (options). You sit quite high — personally, I lacked the adjustment range, I wanted to sit a little lower, but the station wagon is far from a crossover seating position even with its 210-millimeter ground clearance. The feeling behind the wheel is purely car-like, which, in general, corresponds to reality. There is a lot of headroom, and it is spacious both in the front and in the back. The mirrors are huge, as if borrowed from the XC90 (on the S80 they are smaller and more elegant), and they provide excellent visibility.

The trunk is a separate story! The figure of 575 liters does not convey even half of the impressions. The way the Swedes thought out the organization of this space needs to be seen in person. The lid closes by pressing a button on the end. When it is raised, before your eyes is a real paradise for a pragmatist. Huge volume, convenient access, and the floor can be lifted and fixed — underneath you will find an organizer for small items with dividers. Even lower is a full-size spare tire with tools. Guides run along the floor, on which you can hang hooks. The rear seats fold in a 40/20/20 ratio. And behind the headrests of the second row, retractable nets are hidden, which, when raised, form a screen separating the trunk from the cabin.

The XC70's suspension is structurally almost no different from the civilian versions. Among the differences are its own shock absorbers and springs, as well as a ground clearance increased by 67 mm. Interestingly, the test car was shod with modest 16-inch wheels with almost “jeep” tires 215/65. Such a high tire profile is another confirmation of the car's purpose. The drive of the station wagon is purely “civilian”: a Haldex coupling is installed at the rear, which, on command from the electronics, connects the rear axle when the front one slips.

In addition to the car itself, getting acquainted with it also gave me a meeting with a new Volvo engine — an inline “six” with a volume of 3.2 liters. The unit sounds rich, especially at high revs — a real vocal. And the characteristics are decent: 238 horsepower and 320 Nm. True, for a car that weighs more than two tons, this is only enough for a calm life. Acceleration is without fire: the station wagon confidently, but without excitement, gains speed. Liveliness comes only if you spin the tachometer into the red zone. Overall, acceleration can be described as comfortable.

An automatic transmission plays a significant role in this. Such an “automatic” would be for a luxury limousine: it shifts gears and manages the flow of torque so softly and smoothly. Even during kickdown, it does not disturb comfort. When it is necessary to downshift, the transmission makes a short pause and carefully engages the next gear. The passenger understands that the gear has changed only by the fact that the car has begun to accelerate more intensely.

The top speed of the station wagon is 215 km/h, but there is absolutely no desire to drive at that speed. Even 200 km/h on such “rollers” is already too much. The XC70 holds a straight line well, but there is some emptiness in the steering wheel, which makes you approach lane changes with caution. In corners, high-profile tires make themselves known with noticeable drifts. The car responds to steering input with a delay, and feedback is lacking even when the heavier steering is enabled in the on-board computer settings.

But I understand that I am approaching this car with the wrong yardstick. Speed and handling are not the categories that the XC70 lives by. Those who want to buy it will not pay money for dynamics. Most likely, its main values will be safety and comfort — especially when there is luggage in the trunk and a family in the back seat. And it is precisely safety and comfort that are the main trump cards of the new Volvo.

I adjust to its philosophy: gas at half pedal, a more relaxed posture, lower speed. Fuel consumption with this style drops from over twenty liters to 16–17. For a while I drive in silence, without music, and enjoy the cabin. The streets are not heard at all, the noise of the wheels is only distant, and at high speeds a barely perceptible aerodynamic background appears. Sound insulation is at the premium level. And the cabin assembly is impeccable: no creaks, no crickets. Silence and a sense of quality calm you down, rid you of fuss and have a beneficial effect on driving style. Behind the wheel of the XC70, you definitely don't want to hooligan.

But as soon as you drive onto wet dirt, soft reactions become an advantage, and the long-travel and quite pliable suspension easily swallows potholes. Where the driver of a regular S80 will be nervous and carefully choose a trajectory, the owner of the XC70 will simply drive through without straining. This is what the car was created for, in fact. The XC70 turned out to be multifaceted: on the outside — light and swift, inside — solid and calm, in motion — a standard of comfort. I am sure that for many, such a combination will seem the only correct one.

PRICES AND TRIM LEVELS

The car is offered with two engines. The diesel five-cylinder version is equipped with a 6-speed manual and costs from about 1,290,000 rubles. The top modification, which we had for the test, will cost at least 1,393,000 rubles. An automatic transmission for the diesel is an option for 51,700 rubles, and a sunroof for any of the versions is 25,800 rubles.