Volvo XC70 Cross-Country

Price Paid:  $40225.00 from Best Volvo

Year / Model Reviewed:
2002 Volvo XC70

Summary:
I have very mixed feelings about this car one week away from it's first anniversary. The car is beautiful, heavy, comfortable, and gets reasonable gas mileage on the highway. However, within the first year I have already had it in several times for various problems. After several unsuccessful visits and under 10k miles they finally diagnosed the high pitched tuning fork sound on left turns as a backing plate rubbing against the balljoint. With just over 12k miles, two electrical sensors have blown - one to the back windshield and in the past week a sensor failed between the braking system and the cruise control. The dealer often requires multiple trips to diagnose a problem - currently we're trying to figure out why after sitting the car has difficulties accelerating - stay tuned. While the car is great in snow, I have spent more time in the Volvo repair shop in less than one year than I did in 5 years with my cheap Chevy Cavalier - a car that I only changed the oil and rotated tires on. It never even needed a tune-up. Instead, the Volvo is beginning to remind me of my first car - a nightmarish 1988 Toyoto Corolla All-Trac lemon which started out with many "small" issues that grew larger over time. Based on Toyota's warranty coverage and customer service, I swore I would never buy another of their cars. We are already beginning to consider unloading the Volvo after the two year warranty is up if we have any additional troubles this year. To date, while we love the comfort and AWD function in snow, the Volvo has been a repair headache and a great disappointment with respect to repairs.

Strengths:
Smooth ride, excellent power in traffic, comfortable seating, good AWD handling in heavy Western NY winters, decent gas mileage (given size of vehicle) on highways.

Weaknesses:
Electrical sensor failures on multiple components; dealer inability to quickly diagnose problems requiring multiple "diagnostic" visits; highest octane gas required which is costly given high prices; warranty often does not cover labor costs which is unusual based upon my experience with other makers.

Similar Products Used:
Toyota Corolla All-Trac Chevy Cavalier Subaru Forrester

Price Paid:  $40000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 XC70

Summary:
Purchased the XC in January of 01 and so far have had none of the problems other buyers have experienced. The only minor glitch was a sticky keyless remote which the dealer rectified immediately. Just returned from a 6 day kayaking trip on Vancouver Island in which I took the XC on an 85 km. journey over a pot hole riddled logging road. It handled the rough ride amazingly well at an average speed of 65 km/hr. with a full load of gear, passengers and two 17 ft. seakayaks strapped to it's top. My only complaint would be the less than impresive fuel economy which averages about 11 litres/100 km. combined. I love the quality and workmanship of the leather seating but must admit that Volvo could have upgraded the wood trim on the front console a bit more seeing that this is in the category of a luxury vehicle. The handling is quite responsive for such a heavy vehicle of it's class and power is more than adequate for most highway passing environments. The XC may not be the vehicle for all prospective buyers, but more than fits the bill for anyone wishing to purchase a vehicle that offers luxury, cargo space, handling, utilitarianism, and safety features all in a complete package that most SUV's don't. The acid test will be the cold and snowy Canadian winters and harsh road conditions.

Strengths:
safety components, exterior styling, decent hp, plenty of cargo space, ground clearance, great leather seating

Weaknesses:
Fuel economy, lack of trim details,

Similar Products Used:
Subaru H6 3.0 - Terrific car, but did not offer the interior cargo and roof carrying capacity that the Volvo did.

Price Paid:  $41000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 V70 Cross Country

Summary:
WARNING, WARNING, WARNING. After my car shut down at 70 MPH I did a web search. There were at least two other cases just like this reported by other XC owners. This seems to be a SERIOUS problem Volvo hasn't gotten around to acknowledging yet. This could prove to be a fatal mechanical failure in rush hour traffic.

Strengths:
Overall a very nice car

Weaknesses:
At day 5 of ownership the engine shut down while I was driving 70 MPH, I had to coast to the shoulder

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $42000.00 from Bill Pearce Volvo

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 Volvo V70 CrossCountry

Summary:
Wonderful car, wife loves the safety and utility of this wagon. Excellent highway manners and sure-footed in snow. Heated leather front seats are the best, interior is spacious and comfortable. Volvo has designed the controls in such a way so as to allow driver to keep their eyes on the road - no wading through on-screen menus to change HVAC settings. 5 cyl turbo provides acceptable power for passing and driving through the mountains.

Strengths:
Safety, seats, interior, good balance of road feel and comfortable ride, good dealer interactions so far.

Weaknesses:
Vehicle had a "wave" or optical distortion in the windshield upon delivery. Dealer replaced it immediately. Small annoyance from the slight hesitation that is experienced from the time you step on the throttle to reaction from the engine (caused by the electronically disengagable transmission when vehicle is at full stop). No other problems with 28,000 mi. so far.

Similar Products Used:
Subaru Legacy AWD, Isuzu Trooper

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 XC70

Summary:
This vehicle has been a disapointment from day 1. We have had numerous electrical problems and the left front turn signal repeatedly and intermitantly fails causing the side and rear signals to flash rapidly. The dealer keeps replacing bulbs, but this does not seem to help for more than a few months. We have also had problems with the windows, sun roof, and keyless entry. I wouldn't recomend this car to anyone.

Strengths:
Very comfortable on long trips. almost no wind noise. Extremely safe. Volvo claims this is their safest car ever designed. ergo interior. great storage space.

Weaknesses:
substantial problems. poor dealer service-inability to fix problem. poorly designed 4wd. if you blow one tire, all have to be replaced. the tires must be within very tight parameters for wear, so as not to ruin the 4wd system and be faced w/ a $4k repair bill.
window controls are very touchy. engine could use a little more power, though what it has is generally fine. looses almost all of its ground clearance when the car is loaded down.

Similar Products Used:
94 jeep cherokee-had 170k miles on it without a single problem-even on original clutch