2005 Volvo V70 Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

Comfortable, safe and roomier than most other luxury-brand wagons in its price range, the V70 is a smart choice in family transportation.

Pros

Superb front-seat comfort, wide variety of safety and luxury features, balanced ride and handling characteristics, lots of cargo space.

Cons

Tight rear legroom, turbo lag and torque steer in T5 model, pricey optional equipment.

What's New for 2005

The 2.5T AWD model has been discontinued. New this year are revised headlamps and taillamps, color-keyed side moldings and lower sills, front grille and flat blade windshield wipers. The audio systems and front seats have been revised. The center console is new, and real wood replaces the fake stuff in the Premium Package. Run-flat tires are newly available, and a trip computer is now standard. The headlamp washers have been redesigned, rear park assist is newly optional and satellite radio preparation is available as a stand-alone option. The 2.5T gets color-keyed bumpers with chrome inserts, the geartronic transmission and foglamps as standard equipment. A wood steering wheel is newly optional. The T-5 gets more power this year, up to 257 horsepower. Speed-sensitive steering is standard, and black mesh inlays replace the aluminum pieces in the Premium Package.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Swedish Dragon Wagon

Written by: R2D2 on 10/01/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	6	Exterior Design:	9

Vehicle

2005 Volvo V70 R 4dr Wagon (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

This much fun ought to be illegal. The V70R is the perfect stealth wagon. Who would expect 0-60 in the mid-5s from a station wagon? With the available aftermarket items (exhaust, sway bars, and engine computer kits), getting 350+ HP is very do-able from only 2.5 liters. The 6-speed manual and brembo brakes make this a pleasure to drive. With 04 and 05 models coming within pricing reach, now is the time to think swede.

Favorite Features

Premium sound (11 speakers) with 6 disk changer, in-dash navigation, backup warning system.

Suggested Improvements

Turning radius beats a Greyhound bus, but not by much!

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Kept me safe

Written by: Francisca on 08/05/2009


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	9	Exterior Design:	10

2005 Volvo V70 2.4 4dr Wagon (2.4L 5cyl 5M)

I've owned three Volvos. I just had an accident in my 2005 and it kept me safe! Air bags deployed and car was totaled, but I remained safe. I am now shopping around for another v70. Can't say enough about the 2004 and 2005. Attractive but solid!

Love clean lines and lovely interior.

Sometimes I can't see cars on my left well enough when I want to change lanes, since I never wholly rely on the mirrors.

Dependable car

Written by: Vince on 02/21/2009


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	8
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	9

2005 Volvo V70 2.5T 4dr Wagon (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 5A)

We have an '03 V70 and liked it so much that we bought the '05. Car is solid, comfortable, and dependable. Normal services and no real problems yet through 62K miles. Does have electrical snafus -- at times the fuel gauge doesn't register fuel remaining, and when cold, the MPG and fuel remaining readings arbitrarily change between the 4 or so displays available. Wide turning radius on the 17" wheels -- larger than the '03 with 16" wheels. Smooth & light steering, but bumpier ride than the '03 due to the 225/45R17 tires I suppose. Engine is responsive and turbo gets car up to freeway speed quickly. Original Pirelli's still on -- probably replace at 70K.

Good things include the interior comfort, fuel mileage (27mpg or so), smooth and quiet ride, and the many features inside.

Bulbs burn out frequently, electrical problems mentioned.

Excellent all-round wagon

Written by: dsensing on 12/20/2008


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	7	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	9

We bought our '05 V70 from a friend who had put 93K business miles on it. All services done at Volvo dealer & all records present, two repairs & neither mechanical/automotive. Its Consumer Reports' reliability ratings are actually higher than our son's Infiniti! Standard engine has all the power we need for a wagon. V70 was based on the S80 platform, so much more back seat room than my '05 S60. Great hauling room in back; if you don't want a SUV but need that, this car is for you. Front seats are best in the world, bar none. Auto-wipers are great! 3-position memory seat is great since my wife & daughter & I drive it. Maintenance not expensive if you have a good non-Volvo shop (we do).

Comfort, great fuel econ (I've gotten 36 mpg on interstate, Honda Civic territory!), solidity of build, driver- station ergonomics, safety features, reliability, auto wipers, in-out steering-column adjustability, memory seats. Wife loves heated-leather seats. Bulletproof engine, smooth at all speeds.

Auto-dim mirror should be standard at car's price point. Inside tailgate release should be a feature, too. Remote fob should have longer range than 15 feet. Switchblade key-remote is too bulky. Gas-filler door's spring broke off, but door stll works. But car's virtues far outweigh its vices.

My first but not last Volvo

Written by: Bridgewater on 09/18/2008


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	8
Fuel Economy:	6	Exterior Design:	8

We bought this car uses with 50000km on it. There is not a squeak or rattle anywhere. There are so many hidden features that dealer didn't even know. The built in child boosters are amazing. The rain sensing wipers work perfectly. Built into the back seat, cargo nets that hook to the ceiling to keep the dog in the back. Fuel economy isn't the same as my Jetta Wagon even when Volvo says it should be but the car is much bigger so it shouldn't be expected. The bonus of AWD just adds to the car's worth. I would buy another without a second thought.

Child boosters. Rain sensing wipers. Cargo nets. Seats are so comfortable. The best out there I think.

Fuel economy could be better. Wind noise is good but road noise in the back seat is louder then most cars. A big beef with me, the owners manual is full of "your car may or may not contain..." That doesn't help me.

2005 Volvo V70 Consumer Ratings & Reviews