As I look for my first Volvo, I keep stumbling across cheap V70 XCs. My needs would be suited by an FWD, but the nicest wagon examples I've seen are XC versions. The one I'm eying right now is a 1998 2.4 Turbo. What sort of MPG could I expect? One magazine review said "20-30 mpg, twice as good as a Mercury Mountaineer." The EPA said 17 city, 19 combined, 23 highway. I hear of FWD cars getting better than 20 mpg all around, just wondering how much worse a XC is.

 

EPA sounds about right. I get 24 highway with some city driving. Keep in mind these cars are not cheap to run which is why you are seeing a cheap price on the sale. You might pull the rear drive shaft to getter mileage and cheaper repairs. Review the receipts if previous owner has any. You have to replace the timing belt every 105k miles along with the water pump. Interior leather does not hold up well after about 110k. Also keep in mind the 1999-2000 cars have more electronics then the 1998 i.e. ETM issues (electronic throttle module).

 

I have had a '99V70XC AWD with turbo for about 10 years, and get 22-23 MPG combined city/highway driving. Obviously, all city driving brings it down to 20-21, and all highway driving increases mpg to 24 or so. Never have gotten much over that even on long highway trips.