XC70 FWD or AWD

[roblevelo]

Sorry if you have read this elsewhere but I am after an XC70 and cannot decide if we need AWD for towing traction or FWD for fuel economy. We tow a 1475kg (MPTLM) caravan so either is suitable weight wise. Both have the same hp (181) albeit the AWD has slightly greater torque at 420 Nm against the FWD 400 Nm. We will have 2 bikes and awning in the car, hence the attraction of the capacity of the XC70. Prefer manual transmission but possibly this is out of ignorance never having driven auto or geartronic. Any views, particularly with regard to AWD/FWD would be welcome. Thanks.

[Westyman]

I have owned 4 Volvos with AWD and auto out of choice, for the simple reason we tow a lardy caravan often over grassy rally fields. For road use or caravanning on sensible sites (!), that is ones with hard standing or defined pitches, it is my opinion that AWD is not really needed. But of course there is day to day non-towing driving to consider, where for the greater majority of the time 2WD is absolutely fine unless snowy roads might be an issue and you need to consider how this may affect you.
One Volvo I had, a 940 Wentworth, had rear WD and a self-locking diff which at least meant you had 2WD as opposed to no WD if it was slippery and this got me out of trouble on occasions.
Finally, you may still get stuck with AWD but later than you would have got stuck with 2WD!

[Yellowbelly]

I have never really understood why anyone would want an FWD XC70 rather than an ordinary, cheaper V70, unless you are desperate for a little more ground clearance and prefer the looks of the XC. However AWD is an advantage when towing on wet surfaces and in winter..so go for the XC70 AWD. They sell well used and opt for the auto g'box which is a more popular option anyway. If you can find one with load compensating suspension - that's worth having.

[Westyman]

I seem to recall that the load compensating rear suspension, AKA Nivomats, was standard on the XC70 and extra on the V70? I certainly had to specify it for two V70 AWDs and I think I did too on the XC60

[Stevepvolvo]

Originally Posted by Yellowbelly

AWD is an advantage when towing on wet surfaces and in winter..so go for the XC70 AWD. They sell well used and opt for the auto g'box which is a more popular option anyway. If you can find one with load compensating suspension - that's worth having.

Absolutely agree. Have had 2wd and awd vehicles for towing and now stick to awd (had a xc70 now an xc60) as even discounting wet grass starting with a caravan, wet hill starts at traffic lights can seem to take an age as the front wheels scrabble for grip with a 1500kg caravan behind. Awd removes the issue. linked to the auto box it makes towing on stop/start congested roads a pleasure

[roblevelo]

Many thanks for the feedback, it looks like AWD wins out. Any further feedback gratefully received.
Incidentally many people have recommended Adaptive cruise control for towing but it seems this is only available as a component of the Driver Support Pack at over £1500. Is this correct and is ACC worthwhile?
Thanks - Rob

[Stevepvolvo]

Originally Posted by roblevelo

is ACC worthwhile?
Thanks - Rob

Had it for the first time on my 2nd hand XC60.Didnt even know what it was when I got the car as I wanted it for other reasons. Now I would never be without it. With the autobox it makes motorway towing or even solo long distance driving in todays traffic a dream. In speed restricted motorway works then lock the speed on 50mph set the distance to max and it takes the stress out of keeping to the speed whilst automatically maintaining the distance from the car in front. Quite remarkable how well it brakes for you when someone suddenly dives in front. Sort of scary technology as I feel the machines are taking over!

[60041]

My father in law tows with an XC70 fwd manual diesel.
His caravan is a Lunar Clubman SB which has a max weight of 1450Kg.
He finds it a really capable towcar, and having followed him, I can vouch for the fact that he never has trouble keeping up with the traffic.
Before I bought my XC90, we had an XC70 awd auto (again, a superb towcar) and I usually got about 26 - 28 mpg when towing, 33 solo; he usually gets over 30 towing and mid 40's solo, which would be a major factor if I was making the choice today.
My choice to have a 4x4 is a result of living quite some distance up a rough track in a rural area and is not related to needing 4x4 for towing purposes; while I like the feeling of security that it gives me, in over 30 years of towing I have never really felt that it is essential to have awd when towing.

[green van man]

I tow with a FWD XC70. Regularly tow to Scotland 2/3 times a year. Have had computer showing 39.8 mpg average while towing and regularly get 43mpg running solo.
Mine is a 175, polestared to 195 bhp 2.4 drive e. Hill starts are no problem at all, just feed the clutch in normally as you pull away with gentle throttle and start throwing gears at it.
My understanding is that the geartronic limits the torque to 360Nm max no matter what the engine produces in order to prevent it blowing the box up.

My previous v70 was a very capable tow car but being softly sprung on the rear while very comfortable did allow the rear to dip alarmingly when the van was on the hitch. The current xc70 does not suffer these problems, and although the nose weight limit is only 75kg on the manual compared to 90kg on the auto I find it no problem with my 1460kg bailey.
The VED on the manual is £180 a year compared to £260 a year for the auto, which leaves plenty of spare cash to slip the site owner a fiver to tow you off the pitch with the site tractor if needed if you go the FWD route.
Even in the very worse of weather I have never failed to get off a grass pitch with my FWD and as said sites always have a tractor if needed.
Unless you really really want 4WD there is no need for it when towing in Britain nor most of the continent in summer.

Regards Paul.