Teresa’s View
Volvos used to be the sensible shoe of the auto world. They were practical, functional and anything but stylish. Holy cow, has that changed.
Today’s Volvo is still quite functional and to say it’s chock-full of safety features is to say Madonna is a bit buff, but the former orthopedic footgear persona is gone. That’s not to say the Swedish manufacturer is now producing the automotive equivalent of a Jimmy Choo heel, but neither does a new Volvo exact the requisite painful price for fashion.
The Volvo V70 R is a case in point. This is a station wagon, people. How sensible is that? And yet, the “R” version of the V70 wagon offers enough sporty fun to make enthusiasts wax, well, enthusiastic.
A peppy 2.4-liter, five-cylinder engine powers the entry-level V70 and a turbo-charged 2.5-liter version bumps the output from 168 horsepower to 208 hp. But it is the 300 hp, turbocharged “R” that makes momma smile.
A Formula 1-inspired Four-C (continuously controlled chassis concept) semi-active suspension system provides three different settings (comfort, sport and advanced), depending on your preference and whether the kids in the back get carsick easily.
Safety features abound. All seating positions have three-point seat belts. A side curtain airbag protects heads while Volvo’s own Whiplash Protection System safeguards front-seat occupants. Instant Traction all-wheel drive is standard.
As a result, the V70 gets a full set of five stars — the highest possible rating — in government crash tests.
The one high-heeled aspect of the V70 R is its low-slung stance, which looks wonderfully sleek, but requires personal dexterity to exit with any degree of grace and dignity. Oh, and watch that front bumper. Ground clearance is lower than most curbs and parking barriers.
The rich, elegant interior of our tester was decked out in black leather with blue inserts — two colors I thought, when paired, created a fashion faux pas, but my style-conscious sister says those rules have changed.
The comfortable front sport seats fit and mold themselves to one’s body. Back-seat passengers aren’t so lucky. The firm slab of a seat borders on harsh.
What Is It?: The 2006 V70 R is the rowdy version of Volvo’s four-door, five-passenger all-wheel drive, midsize wagon. Prices start at $40K.
Gadget Rating: 7.5 out of 10. The aluminum-trimmed dash is clean and uncluttered. If you like to feel your music deep in your soul, get the audio upgrade with Dolby Prologic Surround Sound. It’s part of the premium package ($2,400) that includes a power moonroof.
Grocery Sack Test: There’s space in the huge cargo area for a month’s worth of grocery shopping. It even has special storage bins under the floor.
Cheat Sheet: Ford Motor Co. owns Volvo.
Recommended Fuel: Premium.
So, Where Are Ya From?: The V70 R is assembled in Gent, Belgium.