Overview & Reviews

Volvo's 850 wagon gets a new name, new nose, body-color trim, stronger side-impact protection, more powerful turbo engines, redesigned interior and revised suspension. All-wheel-drive versions arrive to battle luxury SUVs.

• Front and side airbags. Excellent side-impact protection. Superb seats. Solid construction. More cargo volume than many sport-utilities. Available all-wheel drive.

• Oddly placed controls. No all-speed traction control system available.

User Reviews:

Showing 41 through 50 of 111.00

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  Great, safe Car - 1998 Volvo V70
  By mariap - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Love the V70 Wagon. Would ultimately love the XC or new XC90, but my wagon is roomy, great to drive and can haul anything. Will drive it till the wheels fall off, at least thats what my husband says. :)

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  Love my Volvo!!! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By dcdc73 - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Bought my Volvo used from a used car dealership with 30000 miles on it. I know people may think that I have given it some high ratings, but considering other SUV or wagon alternatives, this car is GREAT!!! Fuel economy is the only real gripe I have. I get approximately 20.8 miles per gallon in mostly city/suburban driving. I just think that the car should be able to do a little better than that. But I have to acknowledge, it is an all wheel drive car and it weighs alot so take that with a grain of salt.

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  great family car - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Eric - April 14 - 10:00 am

  We bought a certified used car from a dealer. It is a solid, well-built car, rattle free at 59,000 miles. Good acceleration, quiet cabin, good emergency handling, and great seats. More safety features than most cars.

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  poor quality/reliability vehicle - 1998 Volvo V70
  By unhappyv70glt - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Purchased vehicle to get safest car for my family. Found multiple areas of poor reliability: oxygen sensors, brakes, turbo oil-line return seal- and now at 80K the ABS/Traction control computer is out ($700). Maint. costs in 7 yrs= $6500. Selling vehicle because I cant take it anymore.

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  Atrocious Reliability - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Constant Agony - October 8 - 10:00 am

  During the first 2-3 years of ownership (during warranty period), no real problems. Thereafter, it has been a nightmare. Car is constantly in the shop for repairs. The "check engine" light is almost as constant as Miss Libertys--its always on. Problems include: A/C; gauges; water pump replaced; electric windows fail to work; radio quit; and those headlights--probably replaced ten times. Think twice before you buy or buy and get rid of before the warranty period expires. Never Again.

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  1998 V70 Wagon - 1998 Volvo V70
  By merley - October 2 - 10:00 am

  The V70 definatly feels more sturdy than our Camry, solid like you would imagine a tank feels. Crisp handling/steering can be fatiguing on long trips because the slightest move of the wheel sends you off course. Braking is excellent with 4 wheel disc/anti-lock during the yellow light power stops Ive never had anyone stop as quikly as me. Acceleration? Im not so impressed but its better than the Camry. The seats are very comortable (but see improvement area for related comments). The leather quality seems better than average.

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  A Wonderful Car - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Northern Man G - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This has been a wonderful car. It has never let me down and only been in the shop for routine maintenance. Ive found that the ABS can be fooled by hitting potholes while braking normally but other than that the car has been a gem.

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  ive loved all 4 of my volvos - 1998 Volvo V70
  By bob - September 22 - 4:16 am

  ive owned 2 245 wagons, this XC, and my wife drives a XC90. need i say more----and id buy another. with this 98 XC, my wife was stopped at a light on the saw mill pkwy outside of nyc---2 passengers....rear-ended by a buick that didnt stop---hit her going 45 mph----not a scratch on the three volvo occupants---totaled the buick----we repaired the XC and still runs superbly. with a set of Thule roofracks/adapters--this vehicle almost becomes a small truck. AWD---we live in the hills of new england---not a problem with the volvo. repairs---the usual--lets say if you keep up with preventive maintenance---you wont be stranded or surprised by a huge repair bill. love my volvo wagons.

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  What A Great Car - 1998 Volvo V70
  By tostik - September 9 - 5:07 am

  Found a 1998 v70xc last year (2010) at a used car dealership with a 104,000 miles on it. The dealer had all the maintenance records, which showed a trip to the dealership every 5,000 miles. The interior and exterior looked brand new--the back seat looked like it had never been ridden in. Obviously garaged and pampered by the prior owner. I had to fix a broken motor mount, and the rear hatch struts were weak, which I replaced. About $450 for both. It now has a 121,000 miles on it and has been trouble-free. My independent Volvo mechanic is jealous. He says the 1998 and earlier volvos are tougher than the current ones. Finding a good independent volvo mechanic will save you lots of money.

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  Keep the engine, ditch the car - 1998 Volvo V70
  By nancy c - July 30 - 1:10 pm

  The engine in this car has been pretty reliable. And the first five years of owning it were great. Since then its just been a money pit. The air conditioner has needed major repairs twice. There has seldom been a time when all four power windows functioned; fix one, another breaks. Same with the power locks. ABS very temperamental. Turns off for no reason. Now radio wont work. Inside trim on tailgate is falling off because the cheesy plastic tabs that hold it on broke. Too much money to fix. Every time it needs anything it seems like the bill is at least $1500. The 70,000 mile service was going to be close to $5000 so Im selling this car. Maybe a mechanic will buy it.