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Photo of a Volvo V70

Volvo V70

Second-generation V70 R: 300 hp, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.1

Researched October 28, 2026 from 26 sources

At a glance

0150300
120–300 hpPower
07.515
5.9–14.1 s0–100 km/h
0125250
190–250 km/hTop speed
0200400
170–400 N·mTorque

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.24101213

Engine
1.6–3.2 L 4/5/6-cylinder gasoline/diesel; CNG/LPG Bi-Fuel versions28910
Layout
Transverse front engine; front-wheel drive or AWD511
Gearbox
5/6-speed manuals; 4/5/6/8-speed automatics, version dependent251012
Built at
Torslanda, Sweden; first generation also Ghent, Belgium and Halifax, Canada2
Units built
1,250,000 by April 20167

The story

Built to replace the 850 estate, the V70 spanned three generations from 1996 to 2016. V means versatility; 70 marks relative size. The P2 carried four adults and 38 cu ft of luggage, with airbags and anti-whiplash front seats.23

1996: P80 debut, 1,800 changes19961997: R and Cross Country split the brief19972000: P2 makes room for 72 cu ft20002001: T5: 0.80 g and 50.9 m stops20012004: Facelift brings a 256 hp 2.4 T520042007: P3: a twin-scroll turbo-six20072014: V70 Edition lowers the chassis20142016: April farewell; V90 takes over2016 Volvo 850 estate (P80): 1993–1997P80Volvo V70, first generation (P80): 1996–2000P80Volvo V70, second generation (P2): 2000–2007P2Volvo V70, third generation (P3): 2007–2016P3Volvo V90: 2016–Volvo V90 1995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones2717
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1993–1997Volvo 850 estate (P80)
1996–2000Volvo V70, first generation (P80)
2000–2007Volvo V70, second generation (P2)
2007–2016Volvo V70, third generation (P3)
2016–Volvo V90
1996P80 debut, 1,800 changes
1997R and Cross Country split the brief
2000P2 makes room for 72 cu ft
2001T5: 0.80 g and 50.9 m stops
2004Facelift brings a 256 hp 2.4 T5
2007P3: a twin-scroll turbo-six
2014V70 Edition lowers the chassis
2016April farewell; V90 takes over
  1. 1996

    P80 debut, 1,800 changes

    November's first-generation V70 reworked the 850 estate, with new seats and dashboard among 1,800 changes.2

  2. 1997

    R and Cross Country split the brief

    The V70 R debuted in May; September brought the V70 XC/Cross Country, with standard AWD and 26 mm more ground clearance than the regular AWD.2

  3. 2000

    P2 makes room for 72 cu ft

    The second generation arrived in spring, pairing comfortable seats and head airbags with anti-whiplash front seats and a flat, seats-folded load floor.23

  4. 2001

    T5: 0.80 g and 50.9 m stops

    The 2001 T5 reached 161 km/h in 18.8 seconds, braked from 113 km/h in 50.9 m and cornered at 0.80 g in its road test.3

  5. 2004

    Facelift brings a 256 hp 2.4 T5

    The 2004 update brought new bumpers, wheels and mirrors, revised front and rear lights, and a 2.4-liter T5 rated at 256 hp.4

  6. 2007

    P3: a twin-scroll turbo-six

    The P3-based third generation debuted in February. Its T6 paired a twin-scroll straight-six, six-speed auto and Haldex AWD with a gentler ride than the R.25

  7. 2014

    V70 Edition lowers the chassis

    Announced for spring production, the V70 Edition brought a lowered chassis, gloss-black trim and black leather with cream stitching.6

  8. 2016

    April farewell; V90 takes over

    On April 25, the last V70 left Torslanda after a 1996–2016 run totaling 1,250,000 cars. The V90 took over the wagon role.27

Every generation

  • Volvo 850 estate
    P801993–1997
  • Volvo V70, first generation
    P801996–2000
  • Volvo V70, second generation
    P22000–2007
  • Volvo V70, third generation
    P32007–2016
  • Volvo V90
    Volvo V90

Power over the years

From 124 hp to 300 hp in 6 years.

0100200300 2000200520102015 hp 1997 · 124 hp · 2.0 10V, naturally aspirated1997 · 138 hp · 2.5 TDI, Volkswagen-sourced1997 · 190 hp · 2.5T1997 · 237 hp · 2.3 T52000 · 261 hp · 2.4 R AWD automatic2001 · 161 hp · D5, Volvo-developed diesel2003 · 300 hp · V70 R debut2004 · 256 hp · 2.4 T5 facelift2007 · 281 hp · 3.0 T62016 · 120 hp · D2 Drive-E2016 · 150 hp · D3 Drive-E2016 · 181 hp · D4 Drive-E / D4 AWD 300 hp V70 R debut 124 hp 2.0 10V, naturally aspirated
245101213
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
19971242.0 10V, naturally aspirated
19971382.5 TDI, Volkswagen-sourced
19971902.5T
19972372.3 T5
20002612.4 R AWD automatic
2001161D5, Volvo-developed diesel
2003300V70 R debut
20042562.4 T5 facelift
20072813.0 T6
2016120D2 Drive-E
2016150D3 Drive-E
2016181D4 Drive-E / D4 AWD

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • V70 (regional trims)

    Standard

    V70 (regional trims)

  • Standard

    V70 AWD (first generation)

    1996–2000

  • V70 XC / Cross Country (first generation)

    Standard

    V70 XC / Cross Country (first generation)

    1997–2000

    53,857 built

  • Standard

    V70 Bi-Fuel (CNG/LPG)

  • Standard

    V70 Drive-E

    2016

  • V70 T5 2.3 (first generation)

    Performance

    V70 T5 2.3 (first generation)

    1997–2000

    237 hp
  • V70 T5 (second generation, 2001)

    Performance

    V70 T5 (second generation, 2001)

    2001

    247 hp

  • Performance

    V70 T6 (third-generation launch)

    2007

    281 hp

  • Special

    V70 Inscription

    2016

  • Special

    V70 Edition / Dynamic Edition

    2014–2016

  • V70 R (first generation)

    Performance

    V70 R (first generation)

    1997–2000

How to spot one

Look for

  • First generation: a rounder nose on an 850-derived, boxy wagon body.21416
  • Second generation: a step in the bodywork beneath the side windows.4
  • Second generation: rear lamps flare at the bottom beside a vertical tailgate.4
  • Third generation: the upper rear-lamp sections are built into the tailgate.29
  • Third generation: widely spaced Volvo lettering across the tailgate.29

Year by year

  1. 1999 (first generation)

    A new grille emblem, squarer XC-style roof rails and the deletion of black rear-door edge stickers identify the update.2

  2. 2001 redesign

    A fuller, curvier body replaces the boxy first generation; the new wagon is wider and taller.311

  3. 2007 (second generation)

    The outgoing second generation receives another subtle front-end restyle.211

  4. 2007 (third generation)

    The new shape adds a forward-leaning upper tailgate, rear lamps partly carried by the hatch and wider-spaced Volvo lettering.29

  5. 2016

    New 17-, 18- and 19-inch wheel designs arrive, alongside Magic Blue and Onyx Black paint.10

Don’t confuse it with

  • Volvo 850 estate

    The first V70 rounds off the nose and adds fully painted bumpers and side trim, plus clear turn-signal lenses.214

Against its rivals

  • V70 vs Audi A6 2.8 Avant Quattro (1999)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    V707.6 s
    Audi A6 2.8 Avant Quattro (1999)9.6 s
    16
  • Mercedes-Benz E320 4MATIC (1999)

    V70 vs Mercedes-Benz E320 4MATIC (1999)

    Price as tested lower is better

    V70$42,328
    Mercedes-Benz E320 4MATIC (1999)$55,223
    16

  • V70 vs Saab 9-5 SE (1999)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    V707.6 s
    Saab 9-5 SE (1999)8.4 s
    16

Prices

Value today $3.2K–$17.2K1121

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 200020052010201520202025 Value today: $3,200–$17,200 1999 · $42,328 · US base, V70 R AWD2001 · $33,975 · US base, T52004 · $41,635 · US V70 R, price when new 1999 · $42,328 · US V70 R AWD base, 1999 model year 2016 · $9,700 · V70 R, 6-speed, Flash Green/Atacama, Bring a Trailer2024 · $8,800 · 1998 V70 2.4, 93k miles, BaT2025 · $48,000 · 2004 V70R 6-speed, 144k miles, BaT2025 · $15,000 · 1999 V70R, 67k miles shown, BaT2026 · $4,100 · 2008 V70 3.2, 126k miles, BaT2026 · $4,400 · 2008 V70 3.2, 126k miles, BaT2026 · $5,400 · 2004 V70 2.5T, 130k miles shown, BaT $48.0K BaT, 2025
131116212223242526
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1999Launch price$42,328US V70 R AWD base, 1999 model year
1999Price when new$42,328US base, V70 R AWD
2001Price when new$33,975US base, T5
2004Price when new$41,635US V70 R, price when new
2016Auction sale$9,700V70 R, 6-speed, Flash Green/Atacama, Bring a Trailer
2024Auction sale$8,8001998 V70 2.4, 93k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$48,0002004 V70R 6-speed, 144k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$15,0001999 V70R, 67k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$4,1002008 V70 3.2, 126k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$4,4002008 V70 3.2, 126k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$5,4002004 V70 2.5T, 130k miles shown, BaT
2026Value today$3,200–$17,200

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “20 years as Sweden's best seller”
    • “Fifth was the 850 estate's BTCC peak”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 26 sources
  1. Modified 2004 Volvo V70 R Review: The Perfect Slayer Sleeper thedrive.com
  2. Volvo V70 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. 2001 Volvo V70 T5 caranddriver.com
  4. Volvo V70 (2000) - Wikipedia it.wikipedia.org
  5. Volvo V70 | evo evo.co.uk
  6. Exclusive Volvo Ocean Race Edition and V70 & XC70 Edition released in Geneva - Volvo Cars Global news.cision.com
  7. Hejdå, V70! | Vi Bilägare vibilagare.se
  8. Used Volvo V70 Review and Buying Guide (UK) caradvertcheck.co.uk
  9. New Volvo V70 - Car Body Design carbodydesign.com
  10. Volvo V70 - model year 2016 - Volvo Cars Global news.cision.com
  11. 2001-07 Volvo V70/XC70 | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  12. 2003 Volvo S60R/V70R caranddriver.com
  13. Volvo V70 (1996) - Wikipedia it.wikipedia.org
  14. 1998-00 Volvo S70/V70 | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  15. Volvo V70 R - Stealing Steel motortrend.com
  16. From The Archive: Five 1999 Euro Wagons Compared caranddriver.com
  17. Volvo 850 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. Twenty years since Volvo made its debut in the BTCC with the 850 Estate - Volvo Car Norge news.cision.com
  19. VolvoCupen – SSKserien sskserien.se
  20. Gus Fring is selling his 'Breaking Bad' 1998 Volvo V70 wagon | Fox News foxnews.com
  21. Here's The Rule You Can Use To Decide When Your Dream Car Is About To Get Too Expensive - The Autopian theautopian.com
  22. No Reserve: 2008 Volvo V70 3.2 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $4,400 on August 7, 2026 (Lot #256,468) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  23. 2004 Volvo V70R 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $48,000 on December 10, 2025 (Lot #222,879) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  24. No Reserve: 2004 Volvo V70 2.5T for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $5,400 on March 20, 2026 (Lot #234,310) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  25. No Reserve: 25-Years-Owned 1999 Volvo V70R for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,000 on September 22, 2025 (Lot #211,184) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  26. No Reserve: 1998 Volvo V70 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,800 on July 31, 2024 (Lot #156,602) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • thedrive.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • caranddriver.com
  • it.wikipedia.org
  • evo.co.uk
  • news.cision.com
  • vibilagare.se
  • caradvertcheck.co.uk
  • carbodydesign.com
  • consumerguide.com
  • motortrend.com
  • sskserien.se
  • foxnews.com
  • theautopian.com

Photo credits

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