2001 Volvo V70

The 2001 Volvo V70 XC is latest in the increasing number of station wagons that have features of sport-utility trucks.


The XC stands for Cross Country. Although this $34,900 model is designed mainly for on-road use, its high ground clearance, very capable all-wheel-drive system and lower first gear ratio give it surprisingly good performance during pretty rugged off-road driving.


Subaru found in the mid-1990s with its all-wheel-drive Legacy Outback wagon that strong demand existed for such a wagon. In fact, the cleverly promoted Legacy did so well it helped put Subaru on the map in this country again.


Volvo was a station wagon expert and thus soon was able to quickly follow the Outback with its successful jacked-up, all-wheel-drive V70 XC (Cross Country) wagon.


Other automakers couldn't move as quickly, but BMW now offers its X5, and Audi and Toyota will offer XC-style vehicles fairly soon. Expect even more to come, as people tire of sport-utility drawbacks such as difficult entry, average handling and low fuel economy.


The first XC was rushed to market and pretty much resembled the V70 wagon. But the new Cross Country is based on the improved new V70 wagon and has major cosmetic and mechanical differences. The regular new V70 is more rigid, with a better chassis and a more functional interior.


On top of that, the 2001 Cross Country was designed from the ground up to be a hybrid wagon-sport ute.


The new XC is longer, wider and taller than the old Cross Country, with more passenger and cargo room--although the cargo area isn't as deep as one might expect.


The new model looks tougher than its precedessor, without the severe box-on-wheels design of the old model. The new Cross Country sort of resembles the sleek, top-line Volvo S80 sedan. Some might even feel it could almost give the sleek BMW X5 a run for the money in the appearance department.


It seems as if the new XC weighs about 4,000 pounds--if only because it feels very big and heavy, with doors that close like a bank vault door. But, surprise, this new Cross Country only weighs about 3,700 pounds.


That doesn't make the XC a lightweight, but it weighs much less than some rivals.


The turbocharged 197-horsepower five-cylinder provides good acceleration even though the dual-overhead-camshaft, 20-valve engine isn't especially large at 2.4 liters.


Still, the smooth five-speed automatic transmission allows the engine to loaf at 2,500 rpm at 70 mph.


The XC is a little slow off the line, but quickly gains momentum, with the 0-60 mph dash taking 8.5 seconds. Fuel economy is 15-18 mpg in the city and about 24 on the highway.


Four 6-footers easily fit, and the rather soft center of the rear seat allows a middle rear occupant to be comfortable, at least on short trips. The XC has the world's first 40/20/40 split second-row seat. A rear-facing third-row child seat is optional.


A driver sits rather high, and front seats are unusually large and supportive--although thick front roof pillars partly obstruct visibility.


The interior is tastefully luxurious. Gauges can be read easily, and the smooth controls are strategically placed.


However, the XC is noisier than the regular V70 wagon, partly because the tires have a more aggressive design.


There are interior vents in the center pillars for especially good rear-seat ventilation, but the back windows don't roll all the way down. The "express" power front windows have hair-trigger controls that make it hard to stop the window partway up or down.


The XC lacks the sharp-edged feel that makes some vehicles immediately fun to drive. The steering feels vague near the on-center steering wheel position, and the brake pedal feels mushy and has a long throw--although stopping distances are good.


The accelerator pedal has an unusually long travel that is handy for off-road driving but compels a driver to put his throttle foot down farther than is normal during acceleration. I never quite got used to it during several days of driving.


This is a Volvo, so the XC's numerous safety items include seat belt pretensioners, side air bags and side curtain air bags--along with Volvo's whiplash protection system.


Volvos long have had a good number of repeat buyers. But the XC might appeal to people who never considered a Volvo but are tired of sport-utility drawbacks.