10 Things You Need to Know About the 2016 Volvo XC70

The 2016 Volvo XC70 is by now the elder statesman of the crossover set. Alongside the Subaru Outback, the Volvo XC70 helped introduce the concept of a sort-of SUV to North American audiences more than 15 years ago by pairing the unquestioned utility of the Swedish brand's wagon designs with the more rugged personality of an off-road hauler. These days the Volvo XC70 stands as one of the few full-size crossovers that truly delivers on its promise of car-like handling while providing a modicum of extra ruggedness when the going gets tough. Let's take a look at ten things you need to know about the 2016 Volvo XC70.

1. The 2016 Volvo XC70 Defines the Tall Wagon Segment

Once upon a time almost every crossover on the road could link its roots back to a wagon somewhere not-so-distantly on its family tree. The 2016 Volvo XC70 might be the only member of the current crossover class able to do that, because while the Outback has ballooned in size to the point where it's easy to lose the Legacy long-roof in its bulbous design, the XC70 is still clearly tied to its wagon progenitor, the now-departed Volvo V70. A little extra plastic cladding here, a bit of a stretch in the suspension department there, and Volvo's wagon DNA translates nicely to a crossover template that has proven to be one of the most enduring members of its line-up.

2. The 2016 Volvo XC70 Loses Two Sixes, but Gains a Five (Under the Hood)

Volvo is current undergoing something of a drivetrain renaissance, and part of that means moving away from thirsty six-cylinder options and instead offering smaller displacement motors across its entire line-up. The latest victims of this shrinkage strategy are the two inline-six options offered by the 2015 edition of the Volvo XC70, which have both been axed for the current model year in favor of a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder setup that produces 250 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. More powerful and less thirsty than the mid-tier six-cylinder it replaces (but not quite as mighty as the turbocharged six that used to sit at the top of the XC70's order sheet), this five-cylinder engine returns 19-mpg in city driving and 26-mpg on the highway. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard with this motor, as is all-wheel drive.

3. The 2016 Volvo XC70 Continues to Offer Drive-E Power

For the second year in a row, the Volvo XC70 offers a frugal entry-level choice from its Drive-E family of engines. The 2016 Volvo XC70 comes standard with a 2.0-liter, 240 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder unit that also generates 258 lb-ft of torque. Matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission, this motor offers up 23-mpg around town and 31-mpg during highway cruising, thanks in part to its automatic engine start/stop feature. If the Drive-E edition of the XC70 is so efficient, and almost matches the five-cylinder in terms of power, then why are both engines available? The answer is all-wheel drive: if you want it, you'll have to opt for the larger 2.5-liter mill, as Volvo has yet to deliver anything other than a front-wheel drive layout with this particular four-cylinder version of Drive-E.

4. The 2016 Volvo XC70 - Not Off-Road, but Soft-Road

If you do choose to equip the 2016 Volvo XC70 with all-wheel drive, then be aware that there are definite limits as to how wild you can get out on the trail with this crossover. The Volvo XC70 does offer 8.3 inches of ground clearance, which is only a smidgen less than a dedicated SUV like the Jeep Grand Cherokee. However, the all-wheel-drive system installed in the crossover doesn't offer low-range gearing, and is better suited for dealing with snowy pavement and gravel roads than it is fording streams and trying to climb from one boulder to the next.

5. The 2016 Volvo XC70 Seats Five, but Hauls a Ton

It's also worth noting that unlike other full-size crossovers, the 2016 Volvo XC70 offers just two rows of seating, allowing it to transport up to five passengers at a time. It's helpful to think of the Volvo XC70's 'full-size' status in the context of a large sedan rather than comparing it against truly mighty crossovers like the Chevrolet Traverse or the Mazda CX-9. Still, when it comes time to get the job done the XC70 steps up with huge cargo space: you'll find 72 cubic feet of usable room inside the Volvo with the rear seat folded forward, a number that complements the 33 cubes available behind the back row when carrying a full load of passengers.

6. The 2016 Volvo XC70 Offers Respectable Towing Capacity

If you’ve stuffed the 2016 Volvo XC70 to the brim and need to handle the overflow, then you're in luck: the crossover comes with one of the most robust tow ratings in its class. Whereas most car-based utility vehicles top out around 1,500 lbs of trailer weight, the Volvo XC70 hulks up to pull more than double that, with a total rating of 3,307 lbs. This is more than enough to handle a U-Haul trailer, and in fact, you might even be able to press the XC70 into duty as a race hauler (that doubles as a motel if you fold down that spacious backseat, roll out your sleeping bag, and snooze in the infield).

7. The 2016 Volvo XC70 Comes in Six Trim Levels

The 2016 Volvo XC70 starts out in T5 Drive-E trim, which includes an extensive list of standard features such as 18-inch wheels, dual automatic climate control, roof rails, heated front seats with power adjustment, genuine imitation leather upholstery, Bluetooth connectivity, heated mirrors, and satellite radio. Next up is the T5 Drive-E Premier, which offers leather seats, tinted windows, a sunroof, and a navigation system, followed by the T5 Drive-E Platinum which bundles all of the above with adaptive HID headlights, a louder stereo system, a host of additional safety features, keyless entry, a power liftgate, a rearview camera, and adaptive cruise control. The T5 AWD, T5 AWD Premier, and T5 AWD Platinum match their Drive-E namesakes in terms of equipment, but swap in the five-cylinder engine and its all-wheel drive system.

8. The 2016 Volvo XC70's Delivers on Options

Almost all of the 2016 Volvo XC70's equipment can be added a la carte by way of its extensive list of options packages. If you're looking for items such as adaptive cruise control, additional active safety features, and automatic high beams, then the Technology package will deliver, while the Proximity package installs keyless entry and ignition, a power liftgate, and a rearview camera. The Convenience package provides the Volvo XC70 with a cargo cover, additional interior storage options, and power folding headrests for the back seat, and the Climate package offers a heated windshield, heated rear seats, and heated windshield washer nozzles.

9. The 2016 Volvo XC70 Keeps the Safety Flame Alive

Despite riding on an older platform, the 2016 Volvo XC70 keeps the automaker's passion for safety burning bright by way of its impressive list of available active systems. In addition to its complement of airbags, the Volvo XC70 also offers the availability of a lane departure warning system, a blind-spot monitoring system, a driver attention monitor, and a forward collision warning system (that is capable of automatically braking the car should an impact be deemed imminent). The latter is part of Volvo's City Safety system that can detect pedestrians and cyclists stepping into the path of the crossover and bring the vehicle to halt to avoid an accident.

10. The 2016 Volvo XC70 Is Due for Replacement

As mentioned above, the 2016 Volvo XC70 is one of the more distinguished members of the Volvo portfolio, which means its due for replacement in the near future. Given that Volvo has embarked on a process of renewing its crossovers one at a time - witness the XC60 and XC90 models we've been gifted in the past few years - it seems likely that the XC70 is next on the list. It remains to be seen as to whether the automaker elects to continue to base the vehicle on its wagon cousin, or whether it moves more aggressively into the crossover space with a completely new XC70 design.