Volvo XC70 Review
Published: 20th January 2009
Volvo XC70
The Volvo XC70's boot can swallow 575 litres of luggage with the rear seats in place and 1600 litres with all of the rear seats folded down. The rear seats split on a 40:20:40 basis rather than the normal 60:40 split which means that two adults or two children in their child seats can sit in the outer two seats whilst carrying a long load in the middle of the car. The rear seats fold completely flat and the back rest of the passenger seat can be folded forward to increase the load area.
Our Volvo XC70 test car was fitted with Collision Warning with Auto Brake which uses a radar sensor, fitted behind the front grille, to continually monitor the area in front of the car. If the sensor detects that the car in front has braked suddenly, or that you are too close to the vehicle in front, or that there is an obstacle in your path, a red warning lamp flashes on the windscreen and a warning buzzer sounds. In many situations, this will be sufficient to alert the driver and the danger will pass. However, if the risk of collision increases, the Volvo XC70's brake support system is activated. The pads move very close to the brake discs and the hydraulic brake pressure is increased. Thus the brakes are fully prepared for a panic stop. Even if weak pressure is applied to the brake pedal, maximum brake pressure will be automatically used to cut stopping distance. The driver's reactions remain crucial however; unlike some systems the Volvo XC70's system will never apply the brakes automatically.
To warn traffic behind, the Volvo XC70's brake lights will start to flash when the brakes have been applied in this way. Once the speed drops below 19mph (30km/h), the hazard warning flashers are also automatically activated. The sensitivity of the collision warning system can be adjusted via the car's settings menu. There are three different positions that can be set according to driving style or road conditions.
It is rather clever and fortunately around town it can be switched off if you feel it distracts.
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