Makes›Volvo›XC70›2009

2009 Volvo XC70

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.

Volvo XC70
Pictured: VOLVO XC70 V446K China. Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Body styles
4dr Wagon AWD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 3.2L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 15 city / 23 hwy
Length
190.6 in
Curb weight
4,169 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Overview

The 2009 Volvo XC70 is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 3.2L 6-cyl) and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 191 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,169 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (15 city / 23 highway), 2% better than the 2009 SUV - average of 17.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.

What changed for 2009

  • Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo

Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 XC70 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Wagon AWD190.6 in73.2 in63 in111 in63 / 61 in4,169 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
XC70 AWD3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 18+2%$3,700494
XC70 AWD3.2L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 23 / 18+2%$3,700494
Spend $6,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
17.7 MPG2009 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Volvo XC70 under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2009 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2009 Volvo XC70 (this car)18 MPGNot rated3
2009 Land Rover Range Rover15 MPGNot rated4
2009 Porsche Cayenne16 MPGNot rated2
2009 BMW X522 MPGNot rated15
2009 Lexus RX20 MPGNot rated0
2009 Volvo XC9017 MPGNot rated1
2009 Audi Q720 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (3)

Seat Belts › Front · Jun 30, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V378000 · 308,260 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
Risk
An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) · Nov 8, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V566000 · 416 vehicles

Problem
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Risk
AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Fix
VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Equipment › Other › Labels · May 7, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V190000 · 679 vehicles

Problem
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 5, 2006 THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2009 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE FMVSS LABEL, TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND A PAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL CONTAIN INCORRECT MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INFLATION PRESSURE ACCORDING TO FMVSS 110.
Risk
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Fix
THE CORRECTIVE ACTION IS TO UPDATE THE VEHICLES WITH A NEW FMVSS LABEL, TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND TPMS SOFTWARE. VOLVO RETAILERS WILL ALSO APPLY A LABEL WITH CORRECT MAXIMUM TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2009 Volvo XC70 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

6Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
122,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Seat Belts1
Steering1
Unknown Or Other1
Visibility/Wiper1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
16/01: 117/03: 120/01: 120/03: 121/07: 125/12: 116/0117/0320/0120/0321/0725/12max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2009 Volvo XC70 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Fuel/Propulsion System — 2 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  3. Seat Belts — 1 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Steering — 1 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 122,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Volvo XC70. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other XC70 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2016 XC7026190.6 inNot rated27
2015 XC7027190.6 inNot rated16
2014 XC7021190.6 inNot rated22
2013 XC7021190.6 inNot rated27
2012 XC7021190.6 inNot rated212
2011 XC7021190.6 inNot rated312
2010 XC7018190.6 inNot rated47
2008 XC7017190.6 inNot rated322
2007 XC7019186.2 inNot rated214
2006 XC7019186.2 inNot rated26
2005 XC7019186.2 inNot rated27

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volvo. How we calculate this →