2008 Volvo V70 Review

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Models and Pricing

Some say that Volvos are best suited for individuals intent on providing their families with top-notch safety. That may be true, but they’re also perfect for indecisive shoppers. Take the 2008 V70 as an example – there’s only one trim, meaning all you’ll have to consider are what options you want and which color catches your fancy.

Prices start at $33,210 including a $745 destination charge. That includes a good deal of content, including the integrated rear child booster seats and expected safety bits such as Dynamic Stability Traction Control, a tire pressure monitoring system, front-side and side-curtain airbags, and Volvo’s WHIPS whiplash protection technology for the driver and front passenger. For an extra $695 we’d tack on the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) that alerts drivers when other cars are nearby but nearly impossible to see with a cursory check of your mirrors. The Personal Car Communicator is another cool feature – this fob unlocks the car as you approach, incorporates a remote start system, and even has a heartbeat monitor to let you know if there’s someone waiting for you in the car. In our minds, it’s easily worth the $495 asking price. Same goes for the $1,800 dual-screen rear DVD entertainment system. No, it’s not cheap, but can you really put a price on maintaining sanity during a family road trip? At the other end of the spectrum are the $800 Bi-xenon headlights, helpful in low-light situations but arguably too expensive. Today’s hot factory options like a navigation system and Sirius satellite radio (with six months of service) run $2,120 and $295, respectively.

There are also option packages from which to choose. If you’re like us, $2,995 might be worth it to get the Premium Package’s leather upholstery to replace the standard funky Tricotec fabric. And who could steer away from something labeled Collision Avoidance Package? For $1,695 this includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and more. Add it all up and our ideal 2008 Volvo V70 would roll out of the showroom for $40,890. For that kind of coin, maybe the dealer would throw in a set of plush floor mats.