New Car Review of the 2005 Volvo XC70 Mid-Size Station Wagon

Description: Mid-Size Station Wagon
Base MSRP Range: not available
Invoice Price Range: not available
Where built: Sweden

Also called the Cross Country, this estate wagon variation off the V70 ties with the XC90 as a Volvo outdoor versatility vehicle.

It's hiked in suspension so it can travel over non-paved terrain, then outfitted with four-wheel traction from the Haldex system. Haldex, a Swedish pioneer in AWD mechanisms, builds an active-on-demand system with power split between front and rear wheels through a wet multi-plate clutch.

Structural elements and mechanical hardware come from the V70, although the XC70 stretches an inch longer and is wider because the front wheel track increases by several inches. It's also almost three inches taller due to the elevated chassis.

Safety gear includes Volvo's side impact protection system (SIPS) with side air bags plus curtain-style air bags positioned above side windows. Muscle to propel XC70 2.5T stems from the V70 2.5T with Volvo's 2.5-liter light-pressure turbo for 208-hp.