X

Photos: 2008 Volvo XC70

Although on the pricey side, the 2008 Volvo XC70 is a good-looking practical wagon that feels like it can go anywhere. Its safety tech is incredibly innovative, but Volvo needs a more integrated strategy for cell phones and digital music players.

CNET Reviews staff
32753220-2-440-0.jpg
1 of 20 CNET Networks
The XC70 is the off-road version of the V70 station wagon, enhanced with all-wheel-drive, descent control, and more clearance. During our time with the XC70, we felt like it could go anywhere.
32753220-2-440-FRONT.jpg
2 of 20 CNET Networks
Volvo's styling has changed from its boxy cars of the past. The XC70 and V70, with their smooth lines, are the nicest-looking wagons we've seen in a long time.
32753220-2-440-SS01.jpg
3 of 20 CNET Networks
The 3.2-liter straight six engine in the XC70 represents a good compromise between power and economy. We enjoyed its quick throttle response.
32753220-2-440-SIDE.jpg
4 of 20 CNET Networks
The XC70 seats four very comfortable, offering plenty of head-room.
32753220-2-440-SS02.jpg
5 of 20 CNET Networks
Volvo offers quite a few safety technologies in the XC70, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and a blind spot warning system.
32753220-2-440-SS03.jpg
6 of 20 CNET Networks
As a wagon, the XC70 offers plenty of cargo room. You could easily include luggage for four.
32753220-2-440-INTERIOR.jpg
7 of 20 CNET Networks
Our XC70 was optioned up with leather seating surfaces, wood inlays, and a sunroof.
32753220-2-440-SS04.jpg
8 of 20 CNET Networks
The XC70 uses fairly simple audio controls on the wheel. We also liked its steering response.
32753220-2-440-SS05.jpg
9 of 20 CNET Networks
The instrument cluster is very high-tech, with message displays in the center of the speedometer and tachometer.
32753220-2-440-SS06.jpg
10 of 20 CNET Networks
We love the design of the center stack, which is built as a panel stretching from the dashboard to the shifter, leaving space behind it.
32753220-2-440-SS07.jpg
11 of 20 CNET Networks
The six speed automatic works well enough in the XC70, but its manual mode delivers slow shifts.
32753220-2-440-SS08.jpg
12 of 20 CNET Networks
The auxiliary input is hidden in the center console, but unfortunately doesn't have a 12 volt power point next to it.
32753220-2-440-SS09.jpg
13 of 20 CNET Networks
Sirius satellite radio came with the premium sound system on our XC70, and is also available a la carte.
32753220-2-440-SS10.jpg
14 of 20 CNET Networks
Along with the paper white radio display, we like the design of the display's graphics, such as this one for the FM tuner.
32753220-2-440-SS11.jpg
15 of 20 CNET Networks
The single CD slot in the stereo can read MP3 CDs, and show ID3 track information.
32753220-2-440-SS12.jpg
16 of 20 CNET Networks
The stereo lets you navigate folders on MP3 CDs, but we weren't impressed with this part of the interface.
32753220-2-440-SS13.jpg
17 of 20 CNET Networks
As an option in our XC70, we had rear seat audio controls, which let the rear seat passengers plug in headphones and control the music.
32753220-2-440-SS14.jpg
18 of 20 CNET Networks
As part of the premium sound package, the XC70 had 12 Dynaudio speakers. It also came with a dealer-installed Garmin Nuvi 760, a strange option considering you can get a built-in navigation system.
32753220-2-440-SS16.jpg
19 of 20 CNET Networks
The audio system offers a lot of different settings, including the ability to turn up the surround sound level.
32753220-2-440-SS17.jpg
20 of 20 CNET Networks
The sound system also has graphic equalizers for the front and rear, letting you fine-tune the audio quality.

More Galleries

Go Inside the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: See How the New iPhones Look and Work
iphone 15 in different color from an angled view

Go Inside the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: See How the New iPhones Look and Work

21 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone

18 Photos
Astronomy Photographer of the Year Winners Reveal Our Stunning Universe
andromeda

Astronomy Photographer of the Year Winners Reveal Our Stunning Universe

16 Photos
Check Out the iPhone 15's New Camera in Action
A photo of a silhouette of buildings on the water taken on the iPhone 15

Check Out the iPhone 15's New Camera in Action

12 Photos
I Got an Early Look at Intel's Glass Packaging Tech for Faster Chips
Rahul Manepalli, right, Intel's module engineering leader, shows a glass substrate panel before it's sliced into the small rectangles that will be bonded to the undersides of hundreds of test processors. The technology, shown here at Intel's CH8 facility in Chandler, Arizona, stands to improve performance and power consumption of advanced processors arriving later this decade. Glass substrates should permit physically larger processors comprised of several small "chiplets" for AI and data center work, but Intel expects they'll trickle down to PCs, too.

I Got an Early Look at Intel's Glass Packaging Tech for Faster Chips

20 Photos
Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)
yamaha01.jpg

Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)

16 Photos
CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)
dia-de-los-muertos-3318-001.jpg

CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)

9 Photos