1998 Volvo S70 Review
1998 Volvo S70 Review
View more photos
Used S70 for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Superb comfort. Plenty of safety equipment. Solid construction. Amazing braking ability.
Cons
- High price. Odd control placement. No all-speed traction control.
What’s new
Volvo's 850 sedan gets a new name, new nose, body-color trim, stronger side-impact protection, more powerful turbo engines, redesigned interior and revised suspension.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$213/mo for S70 T5
S70 T5
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Safe and sturdy describes the Volvo image. To be sure, Volvos are both safe and sturdy, boasting many standard safety features and feeling as though they've been cast from a single block of granite. But, are there any other reasons to buy a Volvo?
Yes. Turbo power, for one. The engine bogs a bit until the turbocharger gets spooled up, but once on boil, a Volvo will rocket forward quickly enough to force your body back in the seat. Brakes are outstanding, and steering is firm and linear. All mechanical systems communicate clearly, allowing the driver to understand what the car is doing at all times.
Comfort is another big Volvo advantage. The seats in these Swedish cars are the best the world has to offer. You can drive a Volvo all day long, non-stop, and not feel one bit of fatigue unless you and Jose Cuervo visited a bit longer than you should have the night before.
These are the characteristics that keep Volvo buyers returning in droves for replacement versions of their favorite car, whether it's the 850 sedan or wagon, or the 960 sedan or wagon. They live with the minor ergonomic glitches and the staid styling, trading these for the comfort, performance and security a Volvo delivers.
For 1998, Volvo has decided to provide more reason to visit their showrooms. Designers and engineers have given the bread-and-butter 850 model a thorough revamp, adding power, safety, comfort and a dash of styling pizzazz to an already fine automobile. For good measure, the cars are renamed: S70 is the sedan, and V70 is the wagon.
Three trim levels are available. Base and GT models have the same powertrain as the 1997 850: a 2.4-liter inline five-cylinder engine pumping 168 horsepower through either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. GLT sedans, Base AWD wagons and Cross Country AWD wagons get a light-pressure turbocharged version of the base engine, good for 190 horsepower. The only transmission available on the GLT and AWD models is a four-speed automatic with a second gear winter start mode. T-5 designates the hot rod 2WD edition, and it comes with a high-pressure turbocharged 2.3-liter inline five-cylinder engine making 236 horsepower. The AWD R wagon gets this same engine. Performance fans will take note that the T-5 is newly available with a manual gearbox.
Side-impact protection is improved with strengthened B-pillars that allow time for the side airbags to inflate more efficiently in the event of an accident. Seatbelt tensioners have been improved, and the steering column provides better protection in a crash.
Inside, the interior has been completely redesigned. Power mirror and window switches move to the driver's door panel, and the dashboard sports a more rounded countenance. Other controls are placed where they were in the 850, which is to say, somewhat haphazardly. Still, the new design is a big improvement over the old car.
Stylists cleaned up the sheetmetal front and back, giving the sedan and wagon body-colored trim to make the car look smaller, and clipping the front styling of the upcoming C70 coupe to the front end for a racier, more modern look.
Nice job, Volvo. All you need to give the S70 and V70 now is an all-speed traction control system, because when that turbo is shrieking, the front wheels break loose far too easily once the 25 mph threshold of the current low-speed traction control system is reached.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Volvo S70.
5 star(46%)
4 star(42%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(4%)
1 star(0%)
117 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Best Car Ever Built...End of Discussion!
jayandally, 08/03/2013
1998 Volvo S70 4dr Sedan
I bought my Volvo S70 in 2000 with 24,000 miles on it, but sadly had to say goodbye to it this week.
While it didn't get me to 300K, it did get me to 286,000.
The only work I ever had done was sparks plugs & wires, fuel filter, radiator hoses and alternator.
The car was rock solid and reliable.
I was so impressed with the car, I bought another S70 - hopefully this one gets me over 200K … also.
5 out of 5 stars
I would do it again
cls8888, 08/26/2013
1998 Volvo S70 GLT Turbo 4dr Sedan
I bought this car while pregnant in 98.
My husband & I joked that the baby would drive it someday...and he is!
My car has had the usual repairs but nothing unusual.
It was garage parked for the first 8 yrs, outside for the last 7--just starting to rust around the sunroof rim.
The leather delaminated from the doors within the first year & Volvo didn't cover it--peek in the windows of any … 98 S70 and you will see it (thus the 3 rating for interior)
Also--if anyone is pulling on the door handle when using the key fob unlock the locks will break.
How did that get past Volvo engineers?
Other than those 2 things and a cruddy local dealer I have been extremely pleased.
No regrets at 190k mi!
Update 2/2016: 205,000 mi and still running smoothly. My mechanic has mentioned more than once that if we ever want to sell he is interested........but he will be fighting my children for it. Among other things, I bought a Volvo to save my life in an accident and because they have a million mile club. I take care of it, keep it in good repair, keep it clean, and it still looks new. Repairs may cost $1k/year but that is still less costly than a new car and my car is not in a landfill. Loving my Volvo.
Update 2/2017. Another year, another 10,000 miles. I keep thinking that I need to get a new car but honestly, the only reason for that is to pass this gem onto my children. Still loving my Volvo.
Update June 2020
*sigh* at 225,000 miles my S70, parked on a busy street, was hit and totaled. She was a trooper to the end and it was not a fit ending for her years and miles of tireless service. We took good care of her and the insurance check reflected that.
My original title still stands. She was a great car and we had no reason to want to replace her at her tender age of 21.
So long to my review of this car.
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent reliability, performance and comfort.
chris_svedka, 04/20/2011
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 4dr Sedan
I have owned the V70 and S70 line of vehicles for many years.
My 1998 S70 T5 is hands down the best vehicle I have ever owned.
After owning one, and wanting a second T5, I drove over 400 miles, round trip to pick up
another one.
These cars are built exceptionally well.
I have never had one leave me stranded.
Every vehicle requires maintenance and an occasional part.
Parts are cheap if … you know where to look.
Any mechanic should be able to work on these EASILY. They do not cost more to work on than anything else.
If you insist on taking them to dealers out of warranty, then expect to pay.
Knowledge and a little legwork will make these one of the most economical cars you can own.
5 out of 5 stars
Most comfortable car!
cali mom, 08/09/2009
1998 Volvo S70 4dr Sedan
I have over 200K miles on my Volvo S70. Original engine and tranny. Recently had to replace ball joint and struts. No biggie since that is all have had to put in it in the last year. I put synthetic oil in mine. I noticed that I get a random black film on the inside of my sunroof. -Not sure why. Door panel pleather came away from the door and needs to be re- glued. It did this on all 4 … doors. My mirror control buttons are melty and sticky! Yuck! My black leather has held up well in the CA sun. I condition it regularly and put up sun shades. Most comfortable seats I have ever sat in. I have driven it to Seattle and back to Sacramento 6 times in less than a year. Great car for weekend get aways
1998 S70 Highlights
GLT
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $208/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5PassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
People who viewed this also viewed
3.4 average Rating out of 14 reviews. |
Starting at $46,450 |
4.0 average Rating out of 9 reviews. |
Starting at $56,000 |
5.0 average Rating out of 1 reviews. |
Starting at $44,500 |
Related Used 1998 Volvo S70 info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Porsche Panamera 2017
- Used Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2021
- Used BMW M5 2016
- Used Kia Optima 2012 For Sale
- Used Lexus GX 460 2012
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 INFINITI G Sedan
- Hyundai Sonata 2023
- 2023 F-150
- Nissan Kicks 2023
- 2024 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
- 2025 BMW X1 News
- 2023 Grand Wagoneer L
- 2023 G70
- BMW X1 2024
- 2024 Durango
Research other models of Volvo
- 2023 XC60
- 2023 Volvo XC90
- Volvo C40 Recharge
- 2023 Volvo XC60
- Volvo V60 V60 Cross Country
- 2023 Volvo XC40
- Cross Country Volvo V90
- 2023 S90
- XC 40 Recharge