Volvo XC70 & V70 XC

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See all the XC70 & V70 XC fixes and repairs and browse the 1998-2000 V70 XC forum, 2001-2007 XC70 forum, or 2008-2016 XC70 forum.

The XC70 and V70 XC have been the heart and the workhorse of Volvo’s car/crossover offerings for just over 20 years. The formula still works today for dozens of automakers: take a FWD car and make it AWD, with slight off road capability.  It targets owners who want a safe AWD car capable of tackling snow and rain, but don’t want an SUV and don’t care about off-road capability.

It’s been a lovable Volvo wagon in that tradition of lovable Volvo wagons, but with modern safety and features.

V70 XC 1997-2000, First Generation

For the 1997 model year Volvo debuted the V70 XC — an AWD, “ruggedized” version of the V70 meant to compete with Subaru and its good-selling Outback. Like the V70,  it was built on the famous P80 platform and featured a bulletproof 2.4 liter 5-cylinder putting out 197 horsepower.

The First Volvo Crossover Debut

The V70 XC, also referred to as the V70 Cross Country, the V70 AWD Cross Country, or the V70 Cross Country AWD was introduced in September 1997 at the Frankfurt Auto Show for the 1998 model year as a crossover version of the V70. It featured standard all-wheel drive and was available with only two engine and gearbox choices. In the US only the 2.4L turbo engine together with an automatic gearbox was available. A 2.0L version of the V70 XC was available only for markets with high taxes on cars with an engine capacity of more than 2000 cc. Standard ride height was increased 35 mm (1.4 in) overall with 26 mm (1.0 in) more ground clearance compared to the regular AWD model. Total ground clearance is 166 mm (6.5 in).

Visual differences from a standard V70 AWD included a unique front and rear bumper, unpainted sidetrim and sills, a squarer version of the roof rails, a unique front grille and a black decal with white Cross Country lettering across the tailgate. Buyers could also specify a two-tone exterior paint option called Duo Tone. Interior details included thicker floor mats and special canvas/leather upholstery.

The major fail area of these early XCs was the AWD system. It was a first generation Haldex system and it didn’t tolerate slight deviations in wheel circumference, so few of these first generation AWD setups survive without some bit of work done to them. When the AWD goes, many owners simply remove the driveshaft, effectively making the XC a front-wheel-drive (FWD) car.

XC70 2002-2007, Second Generation

Based on Volvo’s P2 platform V70, these crossovers were a hit for Volvo. The P2 XC70 was arguably the core of who Volvo was at this time, and represented Volvo most widely of any model.

XC70 2008-2017, 3rd Generation

Ford had a big hand in designing these XC70s. You’ll find mixed opinions on this.

Not all third generation XC70 models were AWD. Starting in 2011, the base XC70 was FWD. Going up to any trim level bought you AWD, however.

Collision Avoidance Package: adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Warning with Auto Brake (CWAB), Distance Alert (DA), Driver Alert Control (DAC) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

2009:  a new XC70 T6 AWD model, with a 281 hp 3.0-liter turbo I6 and unique interior and exterior looks.

2010

• slightly less powerful PZEV 3.2-liter model
• fresh exterior trim
• The T6 made leather, interior wood inlays, unique wheels and a power passenger seat standard

2011

• out: V70 wagon, in: FWD XC70.
• 3.2-liter and 3.0-liter received more horsepower, up to 240 and 300, respectively.

2012

• new standard Sensus infotainment.
• more trim levels – 3.2 got Base, Premier, Premier plus and Platinum trims. The T6 got Base, Premier plus and Platinum trims

2013

• the XC70 received updates to its infotainment system, rain sensing wipers and a new tunnel detection system for headlights.

2014

• a new front fascia, instrument cluster and rear taillights.

2015

• introduction of the new Drive-E models, which got a 240 hp 2.0-liter I4 with Start/Stop mated to an eight-speed.

2016

• XC70 ditches the 3.2-liter and T6 3.0-liter models
• adds a new XC70 T5 AWD with a 250 hp 2.5-liter five banger mated to a six-speed auto. This leaves only two main trims: T5 Drive-E and T5 AWD, along with three sub-trims.

Looking for a Used XC70?

If you’re thinking of buying an XC70 or V70 XC…

• see the helpful buyer’s checklist in How to Buy a Used Volvo
• the expansive Volvo Buyer’s Guide — links to dozens of helpful articles
• Which XC70 to buy? P2 vs. P3

XC70 Engines

Until 2008, the XC70 traditionally got the 197-hp or 210-hp, low pressure turbo (LPT) version of Volvo’s awesome 5-cylinder engine. In 2008, the XC70 got a 3.2-liter inline-6, an engine known for well, just being there and doing its job.

XC70 Predecessor & Successor

The XC70 was proceeded by no particular Volvo… in spirit you could say it was proceeded in spirit by the ubiquitous 240 family wagon. Technically, the XC70 was proceeded by the oddball, rare 850 AWD.

It was followed by the V90 Cross Country.

XC70 Stats and Numbers

Model	Engine code	Year(s)	Power	Torque @rpm	Displacement	Comment
2.0	B4204S3	2008–2010	145 PS (107 kW; 143 hp)	190 N?m (140 lb?ft) @	1,999 cc	Inline 4
2.0F	B4204S4	2008–2010	145 PS (107 kW; 143 hp)	190 N?m (140 lb?ft) @	1,999 cc	Inline 4 Flexifuel
2.0T	B4204T6	2010–2011	203 PS (149 kW; 200 hp)	300 N?m (220 lb?ft) @	1,999 cc	Inline 4 with turbo
2.5T 2.5T AWD	B5254T6	2008–2009	200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp)	300 N?m (220 lb?ft) @1500	2,521 cc	Inline 5 with turbo
2.5FT 2.5FT AWD	B5254T8	2009–2009	200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp)	300 N?m (220 lb?ft) @	2,521 cc	Inline 5 with turbo Flexifuel
2.5T 2.5T AWD	B5254T10	2010–2011	231 PS (170 kW; 228 hp)	340 N?m (250 lb?ft) @2800	2,521 cc	Inline 5 with turbo
2.5FT 2.5FT AWD	B5254T11	2010–2011	231 PS (170 kW; 228 hp)	340 N?m (250 lb?ft) @	2,521 cc	Inline 5 with turbo Flexifuel
3.2 3.2 AWD	B6324S	2008–2010	238 PS (175 kW; 235 hp)	320 N?m (240 lb?ft) @3200	3,192 cc	Inline 6
3.2 3.2 AWD	B6324S5	2011–2016	238 PS (175 kW; 235 hp)	320 N?m (240 lb?ft) @3200	3,192 cc	Inline 6
T4	B4164T	2011–2016	180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp)	240 N?m (180 lb?ft) @1600	1,596 cc	Inline 4 with turbo
T4F	B4164T2	2011–2016	180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp)	240 N?m (180 lb?ft) @1600	1,596 cc	Inline 4 with turbo Flexifuel
T5	B4204T7	2011–201X	240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp)	320 N?m (240 lb?ft) @1800	1,999 cc	Inline 4 with turbo
T5	B4204T11	2014–2016	245 PS (180 kW; 242 hp)	350 N?m (260 lb?ft) @5600	1,969 cc	Inline 4 with turbo
T5	B5254T12	2014–2016	254 PS (187 kW; 251 hp)	360 N?m (270 lb?ft) @5400	2,497 cc	Inline 5 with turbo
T6 AWD	B6304T2	2008–2010	285 PS (210 kW; 281 hp)	400 N?m (300 lb?ft) @1500	2,953 cc	Inline 6 with turbo
T6 AWD	B6304T4	2011–2016	304 PS (224 kW; 300 hp)	440 N?m (320 lb?ft) @2100	2,953 cc	Inline 6 with turbo

Naming — V70 XC vs. XC70

They are the same car line, and you’ll usually see people refer to the model as “XC70”, whatever the year. The early cars were V70 XC, denoting the obvious origin of the car as a buff V70. In 2003 model year Volvo renamed the line to this somewhat easier to say XC70.

The “XC” portion of the name is short for “cross country”, making the early generations “V70 Cross Country”.

Sales Numbers and Base Price

In 1997 the production number was 53,857. Ten years later, that number was 36,279, showing

• the crowded field of AWD crossovers taking a bite from XC70 sales
• its very “meh” combined fuel economy of 19 mpg
• mediocre 218 horsepower in a field of increasingly powerful and upscale competition
• last model year blues — last year of production for that P2 generation
• and fallout from poor reliability ratings of its previous incarnations

Base price in 1997 was $35,595, rising slightly to $37,115 ten years later.