2001 Volvo XC70 Reviews

The catalytic converter was first to go, but was covered by the warranty (certified).

The end drive went out this year, but found a place that gives a life-time warranty on the used one I got for $375.00.

It does use light bulbs more than I wish. But it's livable and worth it.

A stone hit the condenser for the air conditioner one time. My insurance policy covered the $1200-$1400 bill.

This is actually my second Volvo, the first was a S70; loved it.

Love this car. Never get tired of driving it. I would like to get 300,000 or more miles on it. It looks good, feels good, runs good, and is reliable. Just like the S70.

I have since purchased a new XC70, back in 2009. Love it as well. It seems people, including some of the car magazines, never really favor Volvos.

I have had incredible gas mileage. Never go by the gas mileage on the computer. It is always higher if you figure it manually. I can get around 34.5 MPG on the '01 and 33-34 on the '09. I go around 65-66 mph though. I'm 57 and like to see how much gas mileage I can make.

I wanted a '68 Volvo coupe back when I was 18 years old. Then as now, I look at them as reliable, strong, not built on glitz, but ingenuity, good use of space, and safety.

Great vehicle to own. As in my prior comments, it does seem major magazines seem to leave out Volvo and its many positive aspects.

I was in an accident, a fall, back in '06 where I fractured my spine in several places. To the extent I had to go on disability. The XC70's, the S70 I have and had, have provided such comfort and support for my back, that I fear to go to another vehicle. The fatigue and pains I feel in family and friend's cars when riding in them, make me anxious to get back in my own.

Volvo, never change too much. You'll get me every time from now on.

No major service/reliability issues. Unlike my 2001 V70, this car had no problems with check engine light or throttle.

Car was solid, drove well in most conditions (recommend real snow tires for winter driving with Volvos, even with 4WD/AWD), and was reasonably reliable.

A major caution: like other post 2001 "Cross Country" V70 models, this one had a tendency to act erratically in sharp turns/lane changes - weight shift seems to be accentuated by the AWD system, compared to the front wheel drive V70 wagons (car also has a higher center of gravity). This can lead to diving and excessive body roll. The car recovers, but this can be unnerving.

In our case, I believe it also led to an accident - my 18-year old was driving the car and lost control of it in an "S" curve on wet pavement, hit a tree sideways and died in the collision. Volvo reviewed photos of the car and claims it performed as designed, but for a relatively low speed (35 mph) impact, body cage deformed significantly. Side impact air bags deployed as designed, but the fixed grab bar over the driver's side door hit the driver's head, resulting in massive head trauma.

Moral of this story seems to be that the AWD designation inspires more confidence than it should in this car's handling and safety characteristics. Scenes of XC70's flying through alpine scenery in Volvo commercials should not be taken literally.

Final note: Volvo redesigned the body cage in the current series V70s to add a structural cross member under floor in the front seat area (in the 2001-07 series, the crush resistance is supposed to be "enhanced" by a transverse steel tube in the front seats).

I would still buy this car, and own a 2004 XC70. Be extremely careful to have the emissions evaporative recirculation system checked out if buying - some cars in this series, including my 2001 V70 wagon, have been nightmares in this respect.