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<p dir="ltr">Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.</p>

<p dir="ltr">After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.</p>

<p>The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.</p>


VOLVO

<p>This generation of Volvo V70 is practical, comfortable and safe.</p>


Used Volvo V70 Estate 2000 - 2007

<p>You'll have to dig a little deeper into your pockets if you wish to secure our recommended version, the V70 D5. The bargains are petrol-engined V70s, which hold on to their value less well and are more affordable than their Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz counterparts.</p>

<p>Provided you do a high enough mileage to justify the diesel's higher asking price, the excellent 40mpg fuel economy will pay off. The entry-level 140bhp 2.4-litre petrol engine promises no more than 31.3mpg, which is only a little better than the 29.7mpg of the T5. The worst offender is the thirsty 2.5T R, with its claimed 26.4mpg.</p>

<p>You may also need to bargain for a set of tyres quite regularly. Performance models and the D5 can get through a set of fronts fairly quickly.</p>

<p>Insurance is reasonable, though, with most models falling into group 36, although the faster petrols are in group 42, and the R a very expensive group 43.</p>

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This generation of Volvo V70 is practical, comfortable and safe.

<p>The ultimate all-season Volvo estate is the four-wheel-drive <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc70/4x4/used-review/n743">XC70</a>, which rides slightly higher and has more plastic cladding on the body. Performance fans can choose from a 260bhp T5 or a 300bhp R, but the V70's chassis doesn't have the sophistication to do all that performance justice.</p>

<p>On the other hand, there's plenty of choice for those of us who swim in the mainstream. However, with the entry-level 140bhp 2.4 petrol under the bonnet, it can feel like rowing against the tide.</p>

<p>The 170bhp 2.4 does a better job, but the best engine is the 185bhp 2.5 D5 turbodiesel, although the 163bhp 2.4D is fine too.</p>

<p>If you can stretch to it, go for a car in SE trim, which will give you leather upholstery and a CD multichanger. However, the basic S-badged cars get air-con, a CD player and six airbags.</p>

<p><strong>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a></strong></p>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

<p>If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.</p>

<p>Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.</p>

<p>Inside, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/volvo">Volvo</a> V70 tends to hang on to its solid build quality long after it has left the factory, so you don't need to worry too much about interior trim working loose.</p>

<p>The list of recalls is too long to reproduce here, but includes the risk of the detachable tow bar working loose and the electric cooling fan overheating. As ever, check the necessary work has been done before you buy any car.</p>

<p>Like the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/s80/saloon/used-review/n737">Volvo S80 saloon</a>, the V70 can also suffer from front suspension problems. Exhaust heat shields have been known to work themselves loose and diesel engines can have problems with the fuel injection system. If the engine is reluctant to start, or produces lots of black smoke when it does start, look elsewhere.</p>

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<p>If life is one endless motorway drag, then the superb interior of the second-generation Volvo V70 estate can help take the sting out of it. The front seats are first rate and the dashboard is clearly laid out and easy to understand.</p>

<p>Tall passengers may struggle a bit for leg room in the back, but a growing family will have no problem, and there's plenty of space for all their clobber. The loadbay is huge, too, but take care not to bang your head on the tailgate when you're loading, because it doesn't open high enough.</p>

<p>As well as all this space, there's plenty of safety kit and equipment levels are reasonably generous. Whats more, most engines are turbocharged, give strong performance and, in the case of the five-cylinder units, sound good.</p>

<p>The Volvo V70 is pretty good to drive, too. While the ride can occasionally be firm, for the most part the V70 is comfortable and easy to live with. For a big estate, it handles well, too, even if it does roll more than an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a6/estate/review/n17864">Audi A6 Avant</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/estate/review/n34">BMW 5 Series Touring</a>.</p>

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Used Volvo V70 Estate 2000 - 2007 reliability

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Used Volvo V70 Estate 2000 - 2007 review

Inside, the Volvo V70 tends to hang on to its solid build quality long after it has left the factory, so you don't need to worry too much about interior trim working loose.,The list of recalls is too long to reproduce here, but includes the risk of the detachable tow bar working loose and the electric cooling fan overheating. As ever, check the necessary work has been done before you buy any car.,Like the Volvo S80 saloon, the V70 can also suffer from front suspension problems. Exhaust heat shields have been known to work themselves loose and diesel engines can have problems with the fuel injection system. If the engine is reluctant to start, or produces lots of black smoke when it does start, look elsewhere. 

What to look for when buying a Volvo V70 2000 - 2007, covering common problems to check for and overall vehicle reliability.

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