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2011 Volvo XC70
Great outdoor wagon offers improved value.
Reviewed by
  New Car Test Drive

Model Lineup

The 2011 Volvo XC70 3.2 offers a choice of front-wheel drive ($32,150) or all-wheel drive ($34,150) and is equipped with a 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine rated at 240 horsepower.   The XC70 3.2 comes with fabric upholstery, an eight-way power driver seat with three-position memory, dual-zone automatic climate control, 160-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with eight speakers, USB and auxiliary inputs, Sirius Satellite Radio, Bluetooth hands-free telephone connectivity, leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, fog lights front and rear, fold-flat 40/20/40 split rear seat, locking cargo-floor storage bin, a fold-flat front passenger seat that considerably increases cargo flexibility, and 16-inch alloy wheels; 17-inch wheels are optional ($750).   The Premium Package ($2,950) upgrades to leather seating, a power passenger seat, a power glass sunroof, wood interior trim, a rearview mirror with Homelink and compass, and silk metal accents on the steering wheel.  

The Volvo XC70 T6 ($38,200) comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder rated at 300 horsepower.   The T6 upgrades with leather seats, a power passenger seat, deluxe interior wood trim, silk metal accents for the steering wheel, a special Watch Dial instrument cluster, dual exhaust outlets, and 18-inch wheels.   The power moonroof is standard on the 2011 XC70 T6.  

Options for both models include the Multimedia Package ($2,700), which combines a Dynaudio sound system featuring a 650-watt amplifier, Dolby Pro-Logic II Surround Sound, 12 speakers, rear seat headphone jacks, with a navigation system featuring DVD map data and remote control; a rearview camera has been added to this package for 2011.  

A Climate Package ($1,000) includes heated front seats, headlamp washers, heated windshield washer nozzles, Rainsensor windshield wipers, an Interior Air Quality System and a humidity sensor for the electronic climate control; on the base model, it also adds heated rear seats and a Blueband windshield.   The Convenience Package ($1,300) adds front and rear park assist, power tailgate, dark tint rear windows, grocery bag holder, 12-volt power outlet in the cargo area, a cargo cover and power rear head restraints.  

Safety features that come standard include multi-stage front-impact airbags and curtain-style head protection airbags for all outboard seats.   The front passenger side-impact airbags have two compartments: a lower one for the hips, which can handle more force without injury, and a second one that deploys more gently around the shoulders.   Volvo's Whiplash Protection Seating System (WHIPS) is design to minimize neck and back injuries in a significant rear impact.   Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC), the latest-generation anti-lock brakes (ABS) and a tire-pressure monitor are also standard.   The safety belts have specially adjusted force limiters to reduce the risk of restraint injury, and the side-curtain airbags are longer than standard for better coverage.   All-wheel drive enhances safety in adverse conditions.  

Safety options include the Technology Package ($1,850), which combines Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Warning with Auto Brake (CWAB), Distance Alert (DA), Driver Alert Control (DAC), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW).   Integrated child safety seats are optional ($500) on the 3.2 but standard on the T6; they are built into the rear outboard seats and can be adjusted specifically to the child's size.   Volvo's Blind Spot Information System, or BLIS ($700), is designed to warn the driver of approaching vehicles that might not be visible in the mirrors.   The Personal Car Communicator ($550) adds keyless starting, and allows you to determine from anywhere whether you locked the car, whether the car has been tampered with, and whether there is a villain lurking inside (via a heartbeat detector).   The rearview camera included in the Multimedia Package can help the driver spot a small child behind the vehicle when backing up.   Dual xenon gas discharge headlights with Active Bending Light are available to help the driver spot deer and pedestrians around turns.  

The Collision Avoidance Package is based on research that suggested that driver distractions cause up to 90 percent of all traffic accidents.   The package includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Warning with Auto Brake, Distance Alert, Driver Alert Control and Lane Departure Warning.   Adaptive cruise control issues a warning if the XC70 is closing quickly on an object and pre-loads the brake system, and it can actually engage the brakes if the driver fails to respond.
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