- Characterful and willing 2.5-litre I5 turbo petrol engine
- Comfortable front seats
- Versatile interior has 40:20:40 split and folding rear seats
- Long-travel suspension provides comfortable ride
- Underwhelming dynamics and quick to understeer
- Body roll when cornering
- Engine bay lacks soundproofing
- Limited rear seat room for adults
- Variable interior fit and finish
Review: Volvo Mk.2-I XC70 (2003-04)
Overview
Released in April 2003, the Volvo Mk.2 Phase I (Mk.2-I) XC70 was a five-seat, all-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Torslanda, Sweden, the Volvo XC70 was powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged five cylinder petrol engine that was mated to either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The XC70 was initially offered in a single, unnamed edition though this was named ‘LE’ in 2004.
B5254T2 engine
The 2.5-litre B5254T2 turbocharged petrol engine had an aluminium cylinder block and head, fracture-split forged steel connecting rods, intercooler, double overhead camshafts, dual variable valve timing, four valves per cylinder and compression ratio of 9.0:1.
| Variant | Edition | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5T | N/A | 2003-04 | 2521 cc B5254T2 turbo petrol I5 | 5sp man., 5sp auto |
154 kW at 5000 rpm | 320 Nm at 1500-4500 rpm |
| LE | 2004 |
AWD system
The Volvo XC70 was fitted a Haldex all-wheel drive system with a wet multi-plate clutch. In normal conditions, the system provided a 95:5 front:rear torque distribution. If traction was lost, however, the Haldex coupling could activate in the time required for one quarter of a wheel’s revolution. As such, torque to the rear wheels increased until the clutch locked, at which point torque was evenly distributed between the front and rear axles (i.e. 50:50).
Furthermore, Volvo’s traction control and management system (‘TRACS’) could brake an individual wheel to transfer torque to the opposing wheel (i.e. cross-axle torque transfer) at speeds of up to 120km/h.
Body and dimensions
Although there was no Mk.1 XC70, the Mk.2 XC70 was so-called because it shared its platform with the Mk.2 V70 . Compared to the Mk.2 V70, the XC70 was 23 mm longer (at 4733 mm), 58 mm wider (1862 mm), 191 mm taller (1562 mm) and had a 6 mm longer wheelbase (2761 mm); ground clearance was also increased from 163 mm to 209 mm.
Suspension and steering
The Volvo XC70 had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension. Furthermore, the Volvo X70 had rack-and-pinion steering with hydraulic opwer assistance.
Safety equipment
Safety equipment for the Volvo XC70 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, traction control and seatbelt pretensioners for all seats and front seatbelt load limiters.
Features
Standard features for the Volvo XC70 included 16-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker sound system with CD player, climate control air conditioning, leather seats, a power adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, front fog lamps, 40/20/40 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrappped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, roof rails, trip computer and immobiliser.
Volvo XC70 2.5T LE
Released in March 2004, the 2.5T LE was further equipped with bi-xenon headlights with washers, heated front seats, a power sunroof, rear skid plate and combination wood/leather steering wheel.
Related links
Review: Volvo Mk.2-II XC70 (2004-07)
Overview
Released in October 2004, the Volvo Mk.2 Phase II (Mk.2-II) XC70 introduced revised styling and improved equipment levels. Initially, the auto-only XC70 range was only available in an LE edition, but an SE was added in 2005.
Visually, the Mk.2-II XC70 could be identified by its new grille, larger skid plates, clear lens headlights, larger door mirrors, brushed aluminium roof rails and ‘Erinus’ alloy wheels. Inside, there were re-shaped seats and new centre console and armrest.
| Variant | Edition | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5T | LE | 2004-07 | 2521 cc B5254T2 turbo petrol I5 | 5sp auto | 154 kW at 5000 rpm | 320 Nm at 1500-4500 rpm |
| SE | 2005-07 |
Features
Compared to the Mk.2-I XC70 2.5T LE, standard features were extended to include an eleven speaker Dolby Pro Logic II sound system with a six-disc in-dash CD player. From July 2005, the 2.5T LE was fitted with rear parking sensors.
In July 2005, the price-leading 2.5T SE was released. Compared to the 2.5T LE, the SE was fitted with an eight speaker sound system with a single CD player and omitted the LE’s power adjustable driver’s seat, bi-xenon headlights, heated seats, rear parking sensors, power sunroof and combination wood/leather steering wheel.
Related links
- Volvo Newsroom: Volvo XC70 – Crossover model with enhanced profile (May 2004)
- Wikipedia.org: Volvo Mk.2 V70
