Differences between XC70 10'-14' and 15'-16'

[fontoledo]

Hi everyone. Apologies for a potentially basic question, but I wasn't able to find literature somewhere else.

I'm looking to upgrade my 2006 XC70 to a newer model. I have up to ~21k to spend and have been looking exclusively for 2015~2016 models. However, a friend mentioned that, as long as mileage is low (below 70k) looking at 2014, 2013 or even 2010 shouldn't make a difference as the features are exactly the same.

Would you guys concur? Are there features (comfort or security wise) that I'd be missing by opting in for a model prior to 2015?

Thanks

[dmg4]

Your friend is correct. The third generation big Volvo wagons, both the V70 and XC 70, were built on the "P3" platform, and did not change significantly between 2008 and 2016. The basic 3.2L non-turbo 6 is likely the most drivable and trouble-free of the various available engine options and has plenty of power in this car. Electronic bells and whistles vary across the entire span of the production run. Many have been made irrelevant by smart phones. In my opinion, ideally go for the with car lower miles and documentation of careful attention to maintenance, careful driving care of the interior condition, and from south the rust belt (but not necessarily baked in the Arizona or Texas sun). However, don't be afraid of a few more miles if the car has been well-maintained and is otherwise in mint condition. More miles reduce purchase costs significantly, and can save you money over the time of your ownership. Once they are past 50K, annual maintenance costs on these cars, if they have been well-cared for, don't vary all that much per mile up to about 200K. You don't drive the odometer. A 2016 car with 40K miles will set you back around $24,000. A 2009 with 80,000 miles might fetch $12,000.... leaving you another $12,000 in the bank, less $12K in likely depreciation of the car, roughly the same costs of operation per mile during your ownership, and near zero difference in reliability during your ownership.