2013 Volvo XC70

POWER TAILGATE
Here's an option you'll appreciate every time you find yourself with an armful. The touch of a button raises or lowers the tailgate, leaving your hands free for other tasks.

CARGO ROOM
One of the XC70's best attributes is its generous amount of space. With the rear seats folded flat, it boasts a vast 72.1 cubic feet of room plus hidden storage underneath. In a pinch, you could sleep in the thing.

The 2013 Volvo XC70, especially in its higher trim levels, can pass as a luxury car with its plush leather and tasteful accents in wood and metal. Buttons and gauges are sleek and mostly easy to identify and use. The seating position is good (some drivers would like a higher center armrest on long drives) and outward visibility is excellent. Rear-seat room is spacious and 2-stage child booster seats are available. Cargo space is plentiful, with over 33 cubic feet with the rear seats up – with the seats folded flat that space opens up to create what looks like a bed.

If a station wagon can look rugged, this one does. With 8.3 inches of ground clearance and a blocky design softened by gentle arcs and bulges, the 2013 XC70 looks like one stylish but bulked-up carry-all. Still, it's a station wagon and won't convince anyone otherwise. With its rectangular shape and three rows of side windows, the XC70 can remind you of Volvos past, as opposed to newer and more rounded models like the chic XC60 SUV.

The standard engine for the 2013 Volvo XC70 is a 3.2-liter inline 6-cylinder with 240 horsepower. In this over-2-ton vehicle, the engine delivers acceptable performance, but only just. Passing power, especially, could be stronger. A much better choice, if the budget allows, is the T6 model's potent 300-horsepower turbocharged powerplant. And for even more power, the dealer-installed Polestar Performance package retunes the turbo engine for 325 horsepower without affecting the fuel economy or warranty. Both the naturally aspirated and turbo engines can run on regular unleaded fuel. A 6-speed manually shiftable automatic transmission is used on all XC70s. This transmission offers a selectable Sport mode on the higher-performance T6. The base 3.2 comes with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive. The T6 is all-wheel-drive only.

3.2-liter inline-6
240 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
236 lb-ft of torque @ 3,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/25 mpg (FWD), 18/24 mpg (AWD)

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6
300 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
325 lb-ft of torque @ 2,100-4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/23 mpg

Note: The dealer-installed Polestar Performance Package increases the XC70 engine output to 325 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. The fuel economy figures are not affected.

The 2013 Volvo XC70's Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starts at $34,345 for a front-drive Volvo XC70 3.2. Choosing all-wheel drive adds $2,000. A T6 version with the turbocharged 6-cylinder engine and standard AWD starts at $40,995. Adding the Polestar Performance upgrade for even more power is about $1,500. A top-line XC70 loaded with options can easily surpass $55,000. The less-expensive Subaru Outback is nearly as capable but not as luxurious. Be sure to check KBB.com's Fair Purchase Price, which shows what others in your area paid for the XC70. Over a 5-year period we expect the XC70's retained resale value to be about average for the segment.

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