Volvo V70

The new Volvo V70 looks good and has all sorts of innovations to protect you in an accident and protect you from one. It has a beautiful cabin too. But it’s a bit dull to drive and isn’t as big as you’d think.

• Comfort

  Volvo has improved the ride a lot in the new V70 generation, and it's pretty quiet (except the D5's engine). Seats are superb, and ergonomics brilliant.

  

• Performance

  The 2.0 petrol can hardly get out of its own way, especially if it's loaded up. You need a 2.0 diesel at the very least. The 3.2 straight-six petrol doesn't feel any faster than the T5, because the six doesn't have a turbo and it's saddled with an autobox. Top-end T6 AWD is properly brisk but so discreet that you don't get excited.

  

• Cool

  In a post-modern ironical Abba-esque way, yes.

  

• Quality

  The pared-back but beautifully made dash and cabin furniture is a joy, and the materials fine. You do get a great sense of reassurance from this car even if the reliability record isn't unblemished.

  

• Handling

  The front-wheel-drive versions feel very grown-up, well-damped and deliberate in the way they go about things, easy to drive smoothly but not much fun. The four-wheel-drive versions have better traction, obviously, but bring nothing else new to the party.

   

  

• Practicality

  The V70's boot doesn't look all that big in the spec sheets because it's measured only up to the window line, which is quite low. But the vertical tailgate means tall boxy stuff will fit in. And there's a huge range of tie-downs, hooks, brackets, and nets to keep your stuff in place. But note that the new-generation Mondeo wagon is actually a bigger car.

  

• Running costs

  Big Volvos cost quite a lot to service, and the V70's five- and six-pot engines are thirstier than rivals by some way.