Volvo V70/S70 (1996 - 2000)

Facelifted 850 with rounder front. T5s are seriously quick. T5 saloons or estates popular on many police fleets. Police drivers prefer this old-shape V70 to the post-2000 better looking V70. TDIs not too far off T5 performance and give 35 mpg economy.

Engine range began with 2.0 litre 10 valve at 126bhp, 2.0 litre 20 valve at 143bhp; 2.4 10 valve at 140bhp; 2.4 20 valve at 170bhp; 2.5 TDI at 140bhp; 2.3 AWD turbo at 195bhp; 2.3 T5 at 225bhp; 2.3 T5R at 250bhp. Bi-fuel (lpg) 144bhp 2.4 10valve engines also available. 

S70 was 10th from top in 'R' reg J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey but, strangely, V70 was only 34th. Yet V70 was joint 20th from Top in 144 car 2002 JD Power / What Car? Customer Satisfaction Survey of V and W reg cars.

Low 3 out of 9 point death rate from accidents in S70s and V70s.

Volvos generally had slightly below average warranty repair costs in 2003 Warranty Direct Reliability index (index 90.54 v/s lowest 31.93).