Opinions about XC70 2WD

lamlash · May 20th, 2012, 20:51

Hello all,
Sadly my P2 V70 D5 AWD was just too unreliable and thirsty to keep and I now drive a Ford Mondeo estate. The Mondeo is actually very good but I do miss the AWD capability for the few occasions that I drag my caravan round muddy fields and slippery inclines. I really like the look of the Phase 3 XC70 and was wondering if the 2WD version would be any good in a muddy field.
After all they do still have all terrain tyres and decent ground clearance.

Has anyone got one?

I'm also curious to know what the turning circle is really like on the new XC70 as it was absolutely dreadful on my P2 V70.

Thanks

Yellowbelly · May 22nd, 2012, 19:56

Can't help but feel a 2WD XC70 is a waste of money - might as well take a V70. On the other hand my 2012 AWD XC70 is a great car....

Rick Barton · May 22nd, 2012, 20:27

I love mine too, but I doubt I'd notice if it were 2WD under most circumstances, except maybe on a couple of days a year when there's significant snow or ice (I do realise that lamlash is talking about muddy fields, which I do not frequent). I got an XC70 for the styling, the extra ride height, and, most importantly, because my wife preferred the look over the V70. The turning circle seems fine but I haven't tested it with tight manoeuvres.

lamlash · May 23rd, 2012, 20:02

Thanks guys. I did initially think the same as Yellowbelly about the 2WD XC70 - that it must be just marketing / styling nonsense but I'm gradually coming to the conclusion that the tyres are way more important than having AWD. For example my old V70 AWD (with summer tyres) was unstoppable in the snow - literally! You could get moving just fine even up icy hills but braking on slippery surfaces was just like being in a 2WD car.

The CNET Land Rover Freelander 2 eD4 2011 review says that the 2WD version is actually very good offroad, which comes as a bit of a surprise. It makes me think the 2WD XC70 might be almost as good as the AWD. Would love to hear from someone who has actually got one.

apersson850 · May 28th, 2012, 12:22

The tires Volvo delivers with the XC70, at least here in Sweden, are more appropriate for mud than the high-speed optimised tires you see on a V70. Still, there's a tremendous difference between FWD and AWD if you start trying to pull a caravan or other trailer over a muddy field, for example.

Believe me, I've tried both. The main advantage of the FWD XC70 over a FWD V70 is the higher ground clearance, if there are boulders or other stuff on the ground.

But a few months ago, when my XC70 was uncapable of reversing out of the muddy hole I sunk into, prior to me engaging the Hill Descent Control, a FWD would have been utterly helpless.

May 20th, 2012, 20:51	#1
lamlash Junior Member Last Online: May 4th, 2015 20:21 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: newcastle	Opinions about XC70 2WD Hello all, Sadly my P2 V70 D5 AWD was just too unreliable and thirsty to keep and I now drive a Ford Mondeo estate. The Mondeo is actually very good but I do miss the AWD capability for the few occasions that I drag my caravan round muddy fields and slippery inclines. I really like the look of the Phase 3 XC70 and was wondering if the 2WD version would be any good in a muddy field. After all they do still have all terrain tyres and decent ground clearance. Has anyone got one? I'm also curious to know what the turning circle is really like on the new XC70 as it was absolutely dreadful on my P2 V70. Thanks

May 22nd, 2012, 20:27	#3
Rick Barton Master Member Last Online: Oct 8th, 2020 21:28 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bedfordshire	I love mine too, but I doubt I'd notice if it were 2WD under most circumstances, except maybe on a couple of days a year when there's significant snow or ice (I do realise that lamlash is talking about muddy fields, which I do not frequent). I got an XC70 for the styling, the extra ride height, and, most importantly, because my wife preferred the look over the V70. The turning circle seems fine but I haven't tested it with tight manoeuvres. __________________ 2012 XC70 D5 SE Lux Geartronic Polestar

May 22nd, 2012, 19:56	#2
Yellowbelly Junior Member Last Online: Mar 27th, 2024 15:19 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Shropshire	Can't help but feel a 2WD XC70 is a waste of money - might as well take a V70. On the other hand my 2012 AWD XC70 is a great car....

May 23rd, 2012, 20:02	#4
lamlash Junior Member Last Online: May 4th, 2015 20:21 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: newcastle	Thanks guys. I did initially think the same as Yellowbelly about the 2WD XC70 - that it must be just marketing / styling nonsense but I'm gradually coming to the conclusion that the tyres are way more important than having AWD. For example my old V70 AWD (with summer tyres) was unstoppable in the snow - literally! You could get moving just fine even up icy hills but braking on slippery surfaces was just like being in a 2WD car. The CNET Land Rover Freelander 2 eD4 2011 review says that the 2WD version is actually very good offroad, which comes as a bit of a surprise. It makes me think the 2WD XC70 might be almost as good as the AWD. Would love to hear from someone who has actually got one.

May 28th, 2012, 12:22	#5
apersson850 Premier Member Last Online: Apr 26th, 2024 13:07 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Traryd View Photos By: apersson850	The tires Volvo delivers with the XC70, at least here in Sweden, are more appropriate for mud than the high-speed optimised tires you see on a V70. Still, there's a tremendous difference between FWD and AWD if you start trying to pull a caravan or other trailer over a muddy field, for example. Believe me, I've tried both. The main advantage of the FWD XC70 over a FWD V70 is the higher ground clearance, if there are boulders or other stuff on the ground. But a few months ago, when my XC70 was uncapable of reversing out of the muddy hole I sunk into, prior to me engaging the Hill Descent Control, a FWD would have been utterly helpless.

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