Hi all. Has anyone used a Volvo v70 auto for towing. I tow with a Honda accord tourer at present but considering getting a V70 auto. Thanks in advance for any info. Mick.
I towed with a 2008 XC90 D5 auto for 10 years. Fantastic tow car. Also a 2016 V60 D6 auto PHEV. Also a fantastic tow car. Both had plenty of power, a decent 90Kg nose weight and good maximum towing load. The 6 speed auto is not the newest, but works great.
I used to have a year 2000 Volvo V70 automatic as my tow car. I would still have it if it hadn't been for my back problems where I was starting to struggle getting out of it. It was a lovely car to drive and a great tow-car. Last time I looked at the DVLA website a few weeks back it was still taxed and MOTd so I presume it is still on the road. I think that says a lot about them.
I don't have any personal experience of those cars but from the reports I've read, the engine makes a big difference. The 5-cylinder diesels (badged D3, D4 or D5 depending on model year and power output) are brilliant but the four-cylinder ones (badged 2.0D or 2.4D I think) are made by Peugeot and are notoriously prone to turbo failure.
I don't know about the petrol engines.
------------- "Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."
I've been towing with a 2.4 litre Volvo V50 with a D5 diesel engine for the past 10 years which is basically the same car as the V70 but slightly smaller in size and less body weight. The only disadvantage is that the downward noseweight limit on the towball is only 75 kgs. which is the same as the V70 up to the year 2007. From 2007 onwards the noseweight limit on the V70 increased to 90 kgs. which is more practical than the earlier version so something to seriously consider if thinking of buying one. However, the engine has plenty of torque which you won't be disappointed by it's performance in terms of pulling power.
I've had 2 v70 d5s,both towed 1650kg caravan with ease,and returned over 30mpg while towing,my first a 2007 model had 230,000 miles when i sold it and was still going strong.Currently have a xc60 and it is even better than the v70
My 2000 V70 automatic had the 5 cylinder diesel and it was very economical for its size. It regularly returned 45mpg+ in normal driving and that didn't really fall that much when towing a 1,000kg caravan. The caravan might not be very heavy, but the wind resistance is the same as a big twin-axle van. The relatively low nose weight (75kg) was no problem with our light caravan.
I have an XC70 E3 D5, I've had it 5 years and towed throughout.
I pulled a trailer plus fully loaded car to Cornwall and back to Rochdale and averaged 49mpg calculated.
Fantastic car, be aware if auto gearbox get it serviced(ie oil flush) the "sealed for life" is bunkum, if towing often I'd change the oil every 50k.
The last time I had it done it was £120 all in and worth it if you plan on keeping the car for a while.
Fab car and the family are safe!
------------- Trio trinidad(died)/ Bispace400(still going strong15 yrs later) /ESVO Walnoot(had to surrender) / Cabanon Latitude(dead after the first outing). Vango illusion 500xl tc.
Quote: Originally posted by hicky70 on 14/9/2022
I have an XC70 E3 D5, I've had it 5 years and towed throughout.
I pulled a trailer plus fully loaded car to Cornwall and back to Rochdale and averaged 49mpg calculated.
Fantastic car, be aware if auto gearbox get it serviced(ie oil flush) the "sealed for life" is bunkum, if towing often I'd change the oil every 50k.
The last time I had it done it was £120 all in and worth it if you plan on keeping the car for a while.
Fab car and the family are safe!
The Volvo XC70 may well have a D5 engine but the said vehicle is an all wheel drive whereas the V70 is just a front wheel drive only so not exactly an accurate comparison. However, you are never going to achieve a figure of 49 mpg. when towing a caravan as a more realistic figure is around the 30 mpg. mark and that all depends on other factors as well such as wind speed. I've recently towed my caravan with my Volvo V50 D5 a total journey of 85 miles either way and the average mpg. achieved was 31.2 going and 27.5 mpg. on the return journey home.
My Volvo V70 used to achieve 40mpg towing easily, but my caravan is a lightweight one. It still has the same frontal area as a large twin-axle one though. I have had 50+mpg out of it on a run on its own.
Not sure what engine mine had but it was a year 2000 model with a 2.5 litre 5 cylinder diesel. Great car!
Quote: Originally posted by hicky70 on 14/9/2022
I have an XC70 E3 D5, I've had it 5 years and towed throughout.
I pulled a trailer plus fully loaded car to Cornwall and back to Rochdale and averaged 49mpg calculated.
Fantastic car, be aware if auto gearbox get it serviced(ie oil flush) the "sealed for life" is bunkum, if towing often I'd change the oil every 50k.
The last time I had it done it was £120 all in and worth it if you plan on keeping the car for a while.
Fab car and the family are safe!
The Volvo XC70 may well have a D5 engine but the said vehicle is an all wheel drive whereas the V70 is just a front wheel drive only so not exactly an accurate comparison. However, you are never going to achieve a figure of 49 mpg. when towing a caravan as a more realistic figure is around the 30 mpg. mark and that all depends on other factors as well such as wind speed. I've recently towed my caravan with my Volvo V50 D5 a total journey of 85 miles either way and the average mpg. achieved was 31.2 going and 27.5 mpg. on the return journey home.
Good for you, I fail to see where I said anything other than what I'd achieved with my car.
------------- Trio trinidad(died)/ Bispace400(still going strong15 yrs later) /ESVO Walnoot(had to surrender) / Cabanon Latitude(dead after the first outing). Vango illusion 500xl tc.