The 70-Series new interior represents a major improvement over what
was already a well-designed and roomy cabin. Former hard corners have been
rounded off, giving dashboard, center console and door panels a more attractive
look. Soft-faced switches are placed for easier use. For example, window
switches are now on the driver's door armrest rather than the center console,
and the seats have new frames and padding.
Other important changes are invisible. The B or central roof pillar
has been reinforced to provide extra crush resistance in side impacts;
driver and front-seat passenger are further protected by standard side-impact
airbags. A new steering column design reduces wheel intrusion into the
cabin in frontal impacts.
Those items add mental comfort for occupants who are already well taken
care of in physical comfort terms. The new seats are excellent, most comfortable
in their standard velour upholstery. Little is left to be added in the
70 Series, though the automatic air conditioning (GLT and T5 models) and
optional heated front seats will be appreciated in certain climates. Wood
trim accents are optional.
Though more stylish, the interior has lost none of its functionality.
The driving position is, as always, good, made better for all drivers by
tilt/telescope steering wheel adjustments. Gauges for car and engine speed,
fuel level and coolant temperature have large, clear markings, and can
be supplemented with an optional trip computer. Stretch-out room for all
five occupants is more than ample, and the sedan's large 15 cubic-foot
trunk can be doubled in size by folding the rear seat back. The versatile
wagon, of course, can swallow considerably more.
Depending on model, the S- and V-70 are rapid, very rapid, or downright
exhilarating to drive. Even the base engine will get a 70 down the road
smartly while returning good fuel economy. The two turbos have more appeal
for the enthusiast driver, with the T5 being, naturally, the most fun to
drive.
Either transmission--five-speed manual or four-speed automatic--is a
good choice. S- and V70 buyers who opt for the T5 model can, at last, have
the manual gearbox previously denied them.
Whether normally aspirated cruiser or full-boost turbo road-burner,
the 70-Series cars are quiet at highway speeds. A harmonic-rich hum (common
to five-cylinder engines) is too muted to bother anyone, and wind and road
noise are kept to a minimum.
Improvements in ride and handling give the 70s broader appeal. Past
versions have been criticized for ride quality judged too harsh by many
testers; this was especially true of the high-performance versions. The
70s still ride firmly, but changes to springs and shock absorbers should
mute the complaints. T5 drivers may want to avoid bad road surfaces, but
the standard, GT and GLT versions are noticeably more comfortable, if not
yet as soft-riding as some competitors.
Conversely, the softer suspension settings seem to have had no affect
on handling. Both sedan and wagon are more nimble than their size might
suggest, and take readily to fast driving on winding roads. Steering and
brakes are both excellent.
Our tester, which we drove during a mid-winter trip to Arctic Scandinavia,
was a V70 AWD wagon, which adds the tractive benefits of all-wheel drive
to an excellent chassis. Even in Arctic weather conditions, the V70 AWD
felt safe and secure, picking its way over snow- and ice-covered roads
with considerably more ease than its front-wheel drive counterparts, even
when the latter were equipped with the optional TRACS traction-control
system.