Volvo V70 D5 2.5 TD SE

My V70 D5 is a 2005 special order version with double glazing, satnav, telephone pack, full leather and wood etc etc. I use it for combined motorway and urban driving on a daily basis and it returns around 40mpg overall - unless I put my foot down and then it flies but at around 34mpg. Its easily the most comfortable car I've owned with electrically operated and heated deep leather seats. The wheel mounted controls for everything are very intuitive although the satnav controls need some learning. The ride is sometimes a bit lumpy and the turning circle is useless, but its a very small price to pay for all its positive attributes. Its a fantastic load carrier and a great family car as well. Volvo servicing and parts are expensive, but I don't use them as my local garage is more than competent to keep it on the road. If buying, a service history is essential but a Volvo service history is nice not essential. All in all, the best car I've owned and that includes a couple of BMWs and a Merc.

I first bought a Volvo a 144 in 1974. I am on my ninth. I currently have two at the moment an S70 petrol and a V70 D5 auto diesel.

The S70 I use everyday as a runabout returning over 30 mpg; it has now done over 130,000 miles and it still drives like new. It still on the original exhaust even at 12 years old. Apart from a track rod end and a wheel bearing it has not required any repair other than routine servicing

The V70 we use for longer runs and continental cruising, went to Switzerland last year and it returned 47 MPG - it is an automatic what more can you ask for - and it is very quiet inside

I don't like the awful turning circle on the V70, and with 18 inch alloy wheels the ride can be a bit bumpy on uneven road surface.

I did have an almost new Ford Focus for five months and this petrol car only did 35 mpg, so it soon went in exchange for the Volvo V70 D5.

Volvos are great cars and overall properly cheap to run than many others because they just keep going and don't require a lot of repair - just don't go to a Volvo dealer they will rip you off.

An excellent long distance cruiser, cruise control and comfort combine to make long journeys a good experience- the D5 makes you forget that it is a diesel it is so quiet and refined, and the ability to travel over 600 miles before considering refuelling is a new experience for holiday touring! After owning three 240 models, one 740 and one 850, I am well acquainted with Volvo cars, this is my first diesel engined model. Strangely enough I find it better than any previously owned car when it comes to that indefinable "driving experience" - roll on my next trip around Scotland.

My Mercedes E320 V6 Avantgarde estate had some pretty dismal engine problems and went for a repair, and so I was kindly given a dark blue 2006 Volvo V70 D5 Diesel for the meantime. Another executive estate was useful as I could draw some comparisons.

Design wise the V70 is a handsome beast, and on this top Executive model, it came with decent alloys and a classy-looking interior. There is nothing radical to the Volvo's cabin, but everything is laid out pleasantly, with the centre console tilted in favour of the driver. It certainly beats the fake wood that is featured in my Mercedes. The seats are creamy leather, and the whole cabin has a genuinely relaxed and upmarket feel to it. What did surprise me is that although feeling plusher than my Merc, the cabin seemed actually smaller. Figures may well dispute this, but the second row seemed to have nowhere near the same legroom as in the Mercedes.

On start up there is a noticeable Diesel clatter (to be expected) and the auto box was a tad notchy to stick into reverse and then into drive. However, things brightened back up on the road, where the diesel claps vanished and the auto box seamlessly shifted. The V70 is certainly a relaxing place to be, and even in D5 guise, reasonably quiet and superbly refined. The engine sound is nothing near the lovely growl of the Mercedes 3.2 V6, but when pushed the D5 plant does emit a deep, aggressive growl that has fellow motorists a little surprised. Torque was brilliant- there was a shed-load of low down grunt which the Merc could only dream of, and this made short work of traffic light getaways. For this top-spec version, there figures suggest 185 bhp, which is good, although the torque turns that 'good' into 'significantly impressive'. Although no BMW 530D, the D5 isn't short on power, and on the motorway it accelerated briskly even at very high speed. It felt 90% as quick as the Merc while returning far more pleasing fuel figures.

Handling is even commendable. Although no hard-drivers car, the V70 does lug itself around nicely, and the chassis, although lacking in outright agility, does keep things stable and composed in corners. Couple that to the massive low-down torque and we have here a surprisingly capable B-road vehicle.

Overall I'm very impressed with the vehicle. There is plenty of equipment and comfort, yet enough ability for the moderately keen driver. The D5 engine is a real peach, returning good fuel economy with impressive pace. All it lacks, to be fair, is the swish image of a Mercedes E or a BMW 5-series. If that isn't important to you, than the V70 D5 is a seriously good all-rounder.

Volvo V70 D5 2.5 TD SE

This is my second Volvo after having the 850 TD Estate (now my wife's). I will never buy another make of car! These machines provide a unique mix of understated style, luxury, versatility and practicality. The load space needs no further discussion, except the speed of conversion (putting the seats down etc...). If only someone very clever in Sweden could come up with an idea of where to stow the load space cover!

The D5 versions sacrifice nothing to performance, with the benefits of 48+ mpg on a steady run at 70 mph.

The gadgets, i.e. the rain sensor, electric seats, self levelling headlights etc Whilst being innovative, do make me a little anxious if and when they go wrong

This brings me to the dealer network. I was charged over £300 for a basic service (in East Anglia), and they wanted extra to replace the brake fluid and the pollen filter? (Rip off)!! Without these people, the whole ownership experience for these cars would be sublime!!