Conclusions! That's what many people jump to when they hear the word VOLVO in a conversation about cars.
Of the many manufacturers out there, few have been stereotyped in the way that Volvo have over the last few decades. There's even a stereotypical 'Volvo Driver' I believe - or is there? I was about to find out!
What then does this stereotypical Volvo Driver have that others don't? Why do some other drivers guffaw at the suggestion of trying out - or dare we even suggest - switching from their existing trusty steed to a Volvo?
What adjectives spring to many drivers' minds at the sound or sight of Volvo? Safe? Boxy? Big? Traditional?...
When I took delivery of the all-new Volvo V70 SE Lux, curtains in Suburbia twitched in every direction. My goodness! This thing looks the part! Boxy it most certainly isn't. It's elegant, sophisticated and smart. It's glamorous, authoritative and sleek. It's a car for a man, not a boy - for a woman, not a girl! Inside and out it exudes quality, refinement and class - from the beautiful stitched leaher upholstery through to the smart alloys and tinted glass.
Once the behind-the-curtain shyness had worn off, doors started to open and "what's it like then?" became a common question, its merits become obvious to most.
Where do I start? A hard one " there's so much to say. I was, for years, the proud owner of a car bearing that famous four-ringed German marque. Every time I drove it I felt spoilt, cocooned in a combination of luxury and engineering excellence. Even after a few years, the sense of being impressed never wore off. I had, previous to buying this particular car, tried some of its British and Oriental rivals, but to no avail. I was a convert to the religion of German automotive engineering. Why then didn't I try anything Scandinavian? The simple answer is "I don't know!' Maybe it was due to my own preconceptions back then. Had I known then what I know now, they would definitely have been on my shortlist.
The V70 is a very refined and polished performer. Once I'd got to grips with the keyless ignition, I was immediately questioning whether this was actually the D5 diesel engined version I was told it was. It was unbelievably smooth and quiet. The 6-speed geartronic gearbox was equally impressive, whisking the car up to legal limits effortlessly.
The sound system is superb, and paired with the quiet interior it makes the whole journey an immensely pleasurable experience.
One of the fears of the large estate car has been the issue of parking. The active park facility which combines a distance sensor, a camera and some nifty software, which superimposes your theoretical track when reversing, made the whole parking business effortless. Don't be frightened by technology here either! It really does make childsplay of fitting the car into a tight space.
The blind spot information system is another of Volvo's really useful technology-driven safety features. If a vehicle approaches into one of the 'bind spots' on either side of the car, a little light by each wing mirror illuminates to alert you to it. It is an absolute godsend on busy multi-lane roads but it can also be disabled using a switch on the dash for those times, especially when driving at night on the motorway, when it can actually be a distraction on occasions.
With every possible safety feature you could imagine to go with this refined and luxurious car, I can't imagine anything touches it when looking for a BIG, luxurious, safe and high-performance car. For those considering the famous German and big-cat alternatives, it is definitely worth putting the V70 through its paces before jumping to those conclusions and making the decision.
Nigel Crawford,
November 2007
Model driven:
Volvo V70 D5 SE Lux in Titanium Grey Pearl with Cranberry Leather interior. |
The Ford Kuga
