Owner reviews for the Volvo V70
No edits, no filters—just real feedback from verified vehicle owners to help you make confident decisions.
Overall rating 4.5/5Known for comfort and class-leading practicality, the Volvo V70 is the estate car that families, dog owners and long-distance drivers rely on.
London
AA finance available
Croydon
Harrow
Staines
Grays
Hertford
No edits, no filters—just real feedback from verified vehicle owners to help you make confident decisions.
Overall rating 4.5/5Recognised for its safety and thoughtful design, the V70 is ideal if you value peace of mind and plenty of space. The V70 is built to take the daily demands head-on – from hauling heavy luggage to carrying kids and pets, it’s a dependable, refined estate. Owners love its cushy seats, robust build and flexible rear space. Over the years, three generations were made: Mk1 (1996–2000), Mk2 (2000–2007) and Mk3 (2007–2016). The last version is most common on UK used car forecourts, offering up-to-date safety and technology. It rivals the Audi A6 Avant, BMW 5 Series Touring and Mercedes E-Class Estate, but usually costs less to buy like-for-like. What stands out today is the V70’s mix of comfort and clever practical features. Flat-folding rear seats, a family-friendly cabin and a smooth ride make every journey simple, especially everyday drives and motorway runs.
All V70s get anti-lock brakes, multiple airbags and stability control. Later models include innovations like City Safety (auto-brake), integrated booster seats, head restraints designed to prevent whiplash and optional adaptive cruise control. The V70 was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2009, representing best-in-class protection for the era.
The V70 family has a broad range of diesels and a handful of petrols. The Mk3 (2007–2016) offers diesels from 1.6 (D2/DrivE) up to 2.4-litre five-cylinder (D5), plus petrols from a 2.0-litre turbo to a rare 3.2-litre six-cylinder. Diesels are the most popular and keep running costs in check. Earlier models also offer Bi-Fuel (LPG) options.
Standard kit varies by year and trim. Later Mk3 cars offer climate control, Bluetooth, and a CD/MP3 stereo, with SE Lux models adding sat nav, parking sensors and leather. The infotainment interface can feel button-heavy and dated compared with rivals, but essentials like cruise control and electric windows are usually fitted.
Economy depends on the engine and year. The 1.6-litre diesel manages up to 57mpg officially, while the D5 five-cylinder diesel averages just over 40mpg in mixed use. Manual gearboxes and later models are more efficient. Petrol engines are thirstier, sometimes below 30mpg – something to keep in mind if you do high mileage.
Look for a full service record, especially with the diesels. Check for warning lights, smooth auto gearbox shifts and healthy turbo response. Some Mk3 diesels were recalled for engine issues – it’s wise to confirm recall work has been done. For extra peace of mind, consider The AA Vehicle Inspection.
The V70 is solidly built and ages well with proper maintenance. Some common problems include electrical gremlins, parking brake faults and turbo issues on older diesels. Volvo ranked 20th out of 28 for reliability in surveys – average, but most issues are known and can be spotted before they become costly if you buy with care.