**correction: yes I see it is a straight 6, not v6... again new to these :-)**

I haven't owned a V70 before, but am a long-time 240 Wagon 5-speed driver. However, it is showing its age for potential road trips, and yet again I need to do A/C work in humid Minnesota.

We are looking at teardrop campers (in the 1300-1500 lb range, fully loaded maybe 2200 lbs?) and feeling we need a more road-worthy vehicle to tow it. So would a V70 fit the bill? Please help me keep AWAY from a SUV :-) I see some V70 had factory tow hitches, does this imply a transmission cooler? Any advice on which engine would be better for this function appreciated! I suspect the 2.4L wouldn't be enough, but 2.5T or 3.2L 6cyl?

Honestly I prefer 4 cylinder (an OG Saab 900 enthusiast, but also the trusty 240 has been great too), but again the main use case here would be for towing a light weight trailer. Maybe the straight 6 would be under less strain, mpg possibly even better towing than the 2.5T?

 

I guess this tool works:
https://towratings.net/model/v70

Here's another one, UK version, easier to use:
Volvo V70 - Towing Capacity & Weight Limit Information

It's rated to do so. I haven't towed with one, but I would think you'd feel plenty safe with that. They are really pretty stiff, and that feels a lot better when you're trying to control the dynamics of a trailer.

P.S. People do care an awful lot about horsepower, but probably they never wrecked a trailer. Controlling it is a whole lot more of an issue than getting it going fast enough to wreck. That said, the lower end non-Turbos are definitely weak. Looking at the third gens, I think I'd be okay with anything other than the 2.0 N/A or the 1.6 T4. T5 and up would be preferred for sure. YMMV. I've seen numerous people buy a $70,000 vehicle because they said the $60,000 vehicle "had to downshift during occasional use". People differ on this.

 

T5 or T6.
Until 2016 a T5 was a 5 cyl turbo, 2.3-2.5 liters, with 230-300 hp depending on the engine and turbo A T6 from 2009 to 2015 is the FOMOCO/Volvo/Landrover 3.0 inline turbo 6. The 3.2 Fomoco engine is the non turbo version.

2016 -2022 - No more 6 cylinders. A T5 is a 2.0 liter turbo charged engine, A T6 is a 2.0 turbo and supercharged engine. Maximum ~217HP. A T8 adds an electric motor for the rear wheels (instead of a transfer case, rear diff and driveshaft) and a battery for ~30 miles electric only and a total of ~400 hp. The T8 has no spare tire - that space is used by the hybrid stuff.

2022+ Spec have changed slightly -

 

One other variable is the XC70. I typically have not been interested in AWD and the bigger ground clearance, but with towing that may change: would the XC70 handle a trailer better w/o sag at the back (does it have heavier springs for example)? And maybe AWD wouldn't be bad once in a while, it is MN I am living in BTW :-) Again question of transmission years to avoid / focus on may be most relevant here too. Maybe XC includes a transmission cooler by default or alternatively maybe the V70 and XC70 are identical in powertrain? Will have to do more reading....

 

Thanks for the input. Yes I have seen the various generic tow ratings sites, they all say it can handle it, but wondering if people have actually done it or not. My 240 has the same rating (1500 kg / 3300 lbs) but the 8-valve 2.3L engine w/ 280K says otherwise going up steep long hills even withOUT a trailer :-)

Assuming a T5/T6 and / or 3.2L NA would be plenty, maybe my better question should focus on which transmissions are up to snuff. I do understand adding a transmission cooler would be wise, but what years are good / what years to avoid regarding tranny issues? That may likely be what is under the most strain in towing (and yet again my 5-speed 240 transmission I would not personally trust with towing.

 

Avoid automatic transmissions from the P2 generation (01-09, S80 goes to 2013 I think). 1st and 2nd gear are VERY weak.

 

Thank you, this is the type of info that I need help on. Can you confirm if the XC70 and V70 have the same transmission (same gearing), or is there any difference esp. at lower end torque with a XC70?

Secondly, with 2010 being the first of the next generation, does it have rough edges meaning 2011 is preferable or is 2010 and newer all quite similar?

 

Those questions, I unfortunately, do not know the answers to.

 

01-07 svxc60/70/80 use the aw 55-50 transmission that is used in many other makes of cars. You can google "volvo slam shifts" for info on complaints.

Later Volvos (generally 08+ I6 and V8) use a seemingly more robust and reliable 6 speed. Volvo put that trans in the s60r/v70r with 300hp in the later (05-07?) cars.

 

OK this is getting to be very helpful. Honestly the prices of 2010+ is a bit out of scope right now, we are looking for a "2nd car that will occasionally tow a light weight trailer", so probably 2008+ vxc70. But if the 05-07 v70r has the better transmission then hmmm! always dreamed of the r, maybe it fits all the criteria :-) IF I could keep a manual transmission it would be great, but maybe later year R (05-07) only were autos?

 

Sorry for multiple replies, but one more clarification question: were these older, less reliable transmissions all 5-speed? Meaning if I see an '08 listing a 6-speed transmission this would be the more reliable / newer transmission? Or is it more nuanced than that? :-)

 

The aw 55-50 was a 5 speed, yes. Also, V70Rs can be more expensive than 2010 cars just an fyi.

 

And everyone of them has been "rode hard and put up wet"!

Most people don't a buy 300hp specialty Vovo and not drive it hard.

The Fomoco I6 was not offered in the turbo version until 2010? With a polestar tune the T6 has ~325Hp, ~354 Torque. Without ~300Hp

 

Yes, understood that the elusive V70R would run more than a stock 2010 model, I am seeing a few that would be around $14K but look to be quite clean.

As I look around I see some 2011-12 in the lower "teens" that seem to be in decent shape, but only a few of the T6, those obviously get more pricey.

So it seems like with a ceiling of $14K I could (hopefully) find a decently clean R or have more selection in the 11-12 T6 options (auto only it seems :-( I guess I give up on driving manual, it is just too hard to do.

So how is it working on a T6 compared to the smaller displacement 2.5T, the engine bay seems pretty crowded in the T6, I guess there isn't any way around it. Reliability / durability of a T6 vs. the 2.5T? Again at this point I think it seems the transmissions between the later R and the 11-12 V are (nearly) identical?

Thanks again gentlemen, new waters indeed for me. I did look at Saab 9-5 manual wagons, but they are getting a bit hard to find. One of the saddest days in my life was when Saab was discontinued (even though they had become mainly GM components by the end... .the 2.3T was a great engine however back to Saab 9000 days).

 

The I6 (with or without turbo) does not have a timing belt. It's gears and a chain. There is a serpentine belt with a couple of one way clutches, pulleys, water pump, etc. that can get expensive @ 80-150k miles - but you will never lose a timing belt and have bent valves. The pcv system on the I6 is a simple replacement (compared to under the manifold on the 5cyl) - Thermostats break, vacuum pump leaks on some cars - not much else I've had to fix on those engines. Maybe a rare READ failure (rear engine accessory drive) but I have personally never seen one - but have heard about failures.