2004 Volvo V70 Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

Steve Hair on March 5, 2022

I brought my 2002 v70 T5 back in 2012 for only 2k with 120,000 in the clock. I still have the now with 240,000 on the clock. The only thing I have had to fork out in is the new pencil coil packs, other than that all I do is give it a service once a year. It has been a good trusty car. Plus the power is great!

Muddlebuster on July 10, 2020

I LOVE this car! Voted the most durable car and safest as well. I can totally attest to that ! I was hit by a semitruck going about 15 to 20 miles an hour in inclement weather ,! This impact only left two imprints from his tags and a slightly cracked tail light. WOW. Literally his grill covered my entire back window. OMG

Seattle-to-Dallas on June 12, 2019

I love this car; it's not the coolest looking car and I get crap from my friends who think it's ugly but honestly I don't care! This car is extremely versatile in what it can do, and with an upgraded stereo face the sound system is also quite enjoyable. The back seats can fold down flat which lets you move a lot of stuff really easily. It gets great gas mileage that's on par with an average sedan (of it's time) but has most of the benefits of a small SUV too. I traveled from Seattle to LA to Dallas in one 4 day trip when the car had 130,000 miles on it. I was able to lay down completely flat in the back (I'm 6' tall) and still have room for all the stuff I needed to transport with me on that trip. The car never had a single problem on the road trip whatsoever, no overheating or anything. I was smart and got the oil changed and the car inspected right before the trip, and had the same thing done after the trip too just in case and both inspections yielded no flaws at all. The car accelerates and responds to the controls very quickly, and has a lot of automatic features like the thermostat controls in the cabin as well as the wipers. I wouldn't mind a flashier sports car but I fully intend on maintaining this car to the best of my ability until it just can't go anymore. Volvo cars that are well maintained have a tendency to stay on the road for a very long time so I think I'll be keeping this for several more years!

CfromGA on January 1, 2019

I was the biggest Volvo fan but have been burned twice. Avoid the 01-06 generation Volvo’s at all cost! I’ve had a S60 traded it in a 80k miles transmission was slipping and ac went out. Bought a preowned V70 2.5 the transmission went out at 129k miles, suspension is noisy and clunky, door locks stopped, radio is toast and seats stopped working. All by 134k miles!

Anne on August 7, 2018

I wish this car would last forever! Six speed manual V70R that I purchased new back in 2004. Love the comfortable seats, acceleration, steering and handling. It is still going strong at 180,000+ miles but wish they still made these as it has 14 years of steady use. Only issues are the very low clearance of front bumper and very wide turn radius. Has been reliable and remains a joy to drive....please bring these back Volvo!

Tspoon on July 20, 2018

Yes this vehicle is great any and everything I had to do it good on gas it very reliable heart safety vehicle and going to buy another one

Blondi1517 on May 23, 2018

I love the classic Volvo look of this car. It is turbo and so much fun to drive! It has served me well for 14 years!

BKS on January 21, 2018

Awesome Vehicle. Been driving this for 14 years now (150,000+ miles) and simply can't outgrow this vehicle. Car still looks and feels like a new car and I will keep this vehicle as long as I can and when the time comes to buy a new one, I will probably be looking for the next available wagon from Volvo to replace this. Unfortunately Volvo don't make the V70 anymore and have changed the Wagon design in the V90s. Comparatively I find the cargo space a lot more useful and practical in the V70. People think the V70 looks boxy and apparently Volvo tried to add curves to improve the styling but unfortunately that compromised the space in the V90s. Personally I find the V70 very elegant in its appearance - perhaps I am used to the looks of the car! 🙂 I love this car, it is great for commuting (32 MPG freeway), great family car, rock solid and safe. As a station wagon the cargo space is great, rear seats fold down flat and makes a great camping vehicle where you can spread your sleeping bag and sleep with the rear seats down. A very functional vehicle that allowed me on so many occasions to haul big luggage and big box items without having to rent a pickup. Over the years I can't find a single vehicle that can match this car that drives like a sedan and functions like a small pickup truck when needed. And apart from minor irritants listed below the car is rock solid and built like a tank. If you don't watch your speedometer you could be speeding at 100M and not know it. The only negatives I see in the car are as follows:- - The headlights / parking lamps keep failing and need replacement every other year. Life of a bulb appears to be 1-2 years. Compared to my other car, the 2004 Lexus ES330, I seem to need at least one bulb replacement (Front headlights or tail light) every year. I don't recall changing a bulb in my lexus for more than 4 years and the volvo V70 needs a bulb replaced every year. - The center console, Glove box appear to be made of some hard plastic that keep rattling and squeaking at times while driving. Just resting your arm on the center console makes it creak & squeak. This problem started even when the car was barely 5 years old and can be very irritating and annoying. Over the years, service personnel & I have tried to minimize and fix this where possible with felt and other material between plastic contacts that rub against each other. Today, 14 years later, car interior still looks new, beautiful, clean and solid but the creaks continue. - The 5 Cylinder Engine tends to vibrate sometimes - At times car drives very smooth but occasionally the car tends to vibrate. Nothing serious but quite noticeable at times. Apart from these irritants, the general features and quality of the car makes you overlook these imperfections that are more of an irritant than a deal breaker. Of all the cars I have driven over the years no car has endeared itself as much as the Volvo V70. When the time comes to change a car, I look for the next best thing I can afford. But when the time comes to change this Volvo V70, I will be looking at Volvo for the next replacement for my V70. A dream replacement will be an electric V70 that meets the cutting edge technology of modern electric cars but provides all the function and utility of my present V70.

Daniele10 on September 25, 2013

Great midsize wagon. Don't ever buy one unless you get a complete maintainance history. After 100 K this car costs a lot to maintain. At 110 K you need a new water pump and Timing belt. $900, needs a $800 brake job, needs new motor mounts, Need front end work, new struts, then at 129,000 miles, a new transmission for $3000, Just replaced the catalitic converter and the inner driver's door trim panel for $285 because the inside door handle in part of the panel ( $550 at the dealer) I love to drive it but I'm going broke. Wonderful Engine! 2.4T is fast!

Swedish Expert on December 21, 2012

I needed a car for my son who finds the family SUV a bit of a handful. He wanted a sporty car and I wanted a safe car. I made for my usual place; Swedish designed cars. I have owned, 8 Volvos and 9 Saabs. I found one just in to the dealer for PX and not yet PDId. A one owner with a full service history, non smoker and almost untouched inside barring the cheap center console lid. The dealer replaced it. The turning circle is nowhere near as impressive as the 740s or the V70s which is the one thing that lets the car down. The performance is fine, the steering and handling perfect. The style is timeless so no one would know the car is 9 years old. Under 100,00 miles and I have driven mine up to 245,000. Get leather in preference to cloth and be prepared to pay $500 over the odds for a good specimin with history. Knock $1000 off if there is no history. Great safe car and I would recommend it to anyone wanting an economical stylish European car.