2000 Volvo V70 review from North America

Power output drops considerably on some drive applications.

Roaring sound in the cold air intake system.

The V70 is a city car. It has low ground clearance and looks stylish to ever qualify as trail-rated. By stylish I don't mean the V70 will sissy out on more difficult drive applications.oo bad

More than once I have noticed a slight drop in the V70 power output on the trail. I replaced the stock air intake of the engine and, limited as the V70 is by its low suspension, that did the trick.

Its spacious cabin and leather seats, moreover, make the V70 accommodating on cross-country, especially for children.

My V70 sports a T5 engine, which boasts of a 300bhp power output on average. Not what makes a trail-rated car better equipped, but the V70 is all right in the city streets and tolerable on the trails.

I've worked with people at www.swedishpartsshop.com, a Volvo parts dealer, and almost inconvenienced them, really, trying out and exchanging shocks just to get the correct suspension setting for my V70. I found out I could not make it more of an off-road car.

Combined with the V70's all-drive capability, the T5 reminds me of what a "civilized" RV will look like, if there is ever going to be such a thing. But, had someone offered me an RV in exchange for my V70, I'd stick it out with my car. It is "the" family car.

With plenty of cabin space, and the safety features that Volvo is known for, I say the V70 is a nice attempt at combining the functionality of an off-road vehicle and the luxury of a city car.

Tthe low ground clearance of the V70 makes a stable horse out of a race horse.