2009 Volvo V70/XC70

Other brands have caught up, but Volvo maintains its deserved reputation for safety innovation and quality fit and finish. Volvos also stand out for its attractive exterior styling and for having some of the nicest interiors in the industry, with especially comfortable seats. The brand’s XC line of SUVs range from compact and two-row to midsized and three-row. Volvo also sells sedans and station wagons, along with several EVs, ranging from small to large. Most of Volvo’s new cars scored average or below-average in our reliability rankings, and the infotainment systems on many models are less intuitive than what you’ll find in competitors’ cars. Our testers have also found that Volvos aren’t great at absorbing bumps, and have average fuel economy. Among used Volvos, some models have proven to be reliable enough to earn our recommendation.

The 2008 redesign dropped the third row. Engine choices included two six-cylinder engines: a base 3.2-liter and a turbocharged 3.0. The V70 disappeared after 2010. Performance is adequate, but the XC70 averaged just 18 mpg. Still though, a quieter, better-finished interior, a ride that's less stiff, and more responsive handling than the previous model are welcome attributes. Still, performance, along with ride and handling don't inspire enthusiasm. The XC70 features Volvo's most current safety innovations of the time, including optional blind spot monitoring and family-friendly features like integrated child booster seats. Changes for 2016 included standard heated front seats and the six-cylinder turbo engine was dropped.