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V70 vs Highlander vs???

18 messages,  Last post on Jun 28, 2007 at 12:03 PM

You are in the Volvo V70 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volvo V70, Toyota Highlander, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 2

#9 of 18 XC70 vs. Highland Hybrid by bruceepp

Dec 13, 2005 (4:37 pm)

Anyone have any opinions on a comparison between the Volvo XC70 and Highlander Hybrid?
 
Thanks.

#10 of 18 VOLVO VS. TOYOTA by pete51

Dec 14, 2005 (8:33 pm)

I am not sure if this post will help, but I have had some experience with both brands. I owned a 97 Camry for 6years, it was a good car, but not bulletproof. I will say that for the most part I did not have any major mechanical problems, but after 80k little things began to happen (driver window motor replaced, water pump replaced brake caliper replaced small oil leak) and a few other minor things. I have a relative that is driving a 93 Camry with 248k and some of the same type problems. Thing I have found is it's best to repair Toyotas with original parts and bottom line, they ain't cheap. All that said, my wife drives a Mercedes E320 and they have some problems as well, but they all have been minor electrical problems and yes it cost for repair. The difference in the two cars is at 175k, my wife Benz can cruise 85-90 mph for over a 100 miles (just did it ) without skipping a beat. My Camry at 90k could do it for a while, but you could feel that you were making it cry for mercy. I have a Volvo and it has that same feeling of the Benz, it is solid. Even when you close the doors, it sound like you are closing a vault. That brings me to the final thing, recently, I was in an accident (that's why I don't have the Camry) and the damage done makes me glad I was not speeding. It was pretty ugly after the accident. Everything worked like it should, but I think a Coke can could have held up better than it did in the minor accident I had. To me that's what you are paying for when you buy a Volvo peace of mind that you will be safe. For that reason I would have to go with the Volvo.

#11 of 18 volvo vs toyota by womble

Feb 26, 2006 (1:10 pm)

I have a 3 year old v70 which has only had minor problems but I'm also considering the highlander hybrid at the end of my lease. Does anyone know when we'll see pics of the new highlander bodytype expected fall of this year? And will the new model mean there will be great deals on the existing body type towards the end of the summer? The v70 needs a little life injected into it, in my opinion, but it's a solid reliable family car that I feel very safe in. What's less expensive to lease?

#12 of 18 Re: volvo vs toyota [womble] by landdriver

Feb 26, 2006 (6:01 pm)

Replying to: womble (Feb 26, 2006 1:10 pm)
Not so sure the Highlander will be redesigned in 2007 -- edmunds says 2007 but Motor Trend says 2008 and a recent article in the San Jose Mercury News highlighting new models for 2007 mentions the Camry redesign but not the Highlander. Also they just came out with the Highlander Hybrid as a 2006 model so it seems they may want to get a little more mileage out of the current design before redesigning.
 
(Motor Trend: "2008 Toyota Highlander: Redesigned on the Avalon platform, growing larger in size to make room for the RAV4.")
 
(edmunds: "The Highlander will become even more humanized in its next version, borrowing plenty of cues from the FT-SX concept vehicle.")

#13 of 18 Re: VOLVO VS. TOYOTA v. HONDA - 3rd row key! by larryallen707

Apr 11, 2006 (8:30 pm)

Replying to: pete51 (Dec 14, 2005 8:33 pm)
We want a car with a third row seat. Volvo and Highlander are choices. What about Honda Pilot? Chrysler Pacifica? Anybody have good/bad exp with any of these?

#14 of 18 Re: VOLVO VS. TOYOTA v. HONDA - 3rd row key! [larryallen707] by crissman

Apr 11, 2006 (10:18 pm)

Replying to: larryallen707 (Apr 11, 2006 8:30 pm)
No experience with them, but be aware the V70's third seat is rear facing and kid friendly only.

#15 of 18 V70 vs. Highlander by fedlawman

Oct 30, 2006 (7:10 pm)

My wife and I were in the same boat 3 years ago. We were set to buy the Highlander, because I liked Toyota's reputation for quality and reliability, and because the Highlander was affordable and good-looking.
 
On a whim, my wife and I test-drove a V70 one day on our way home from test-driving a bunch of crossover's (Highlander, Pilot, Forrester). We immediately knew we'd found our next car. It was much more comfortable to sit in (seats and ergonomics), quieter/smoother riding, the interior plastics and switchgear felt much higher quality, and the safety engineering/philosophy is unmatched. This is a car that pampers as well as it protects.
 
Yes, the V70 was a little pricier, but we got it for $200 over invoice and took advantage of an end-of-year promotion (free Premium Package - leather, dual auto climate control, driver seat/mirror memory, moonroof, wood trim).
 
We've had no real problems with it (just 2 burned out lightbulbs (common problem) and a reflash of the trip computer) and looking back now, we are still glad we didn't get the Toyota. I'd make the same choice again if I was shopping today.
 
Good luck!
 
P.S. We have the rear-facing 3rd row seat and use it all the time. When our kids (9 and 6) aren't back there, it serves well as a grocery/shopping bag supporter, equipment compartmentalizer, and secret stash area.

#16 of 18 V70R - back in the market: help me choose by rsorganize

Nov 01, 2006 (8:00 pm)

Unexpectedly back in the market for a wagon that will last a long time (30,000+ miles/year), be fun/comfortable to drive and makes me feel/be safe in winter New England driving. Last 3 vehicles: 99 Volvo XC70 (great drive, huge repair bills), 2005 Subaru Outback VDC (fun/great vehicle, felt a little small-ish as the miles piled up) and Acura MDX (nice ride, lots of toys, pleasant/comfortable but kind of dull - and, oh yes: what was I thinking on mpg??!!).
 
Looking to get smaller/better mpg, but have expectations - again: fun,comfort, safety and some of the 'toys'.
 
Hope to act soon. Right now, looking at leftover 2006 Volvo 70R (reliability/repairs??)...2007 Subaru Outback XT (lots of fun to drive, now has VDC and a few tech upgrades new since 2005)...VW Passat (reliability?)...9-5 Sportcombi (what-no side curtain airbags??)...and, 9-3 Sportcombi (biggest concern is lack of AWD - even with stability control, will it match the other awd models in the huge amount of winter driving I do?).
 
All thoughts and experiences will be much appreciated.

#17 of 18 Re: V70R - back in the market: help me choose [rsorganize] by twobigdogz

Jan 24, 2007 (8:43 pm)

Replying to: rsorganize (Nov 01, 2006 8:00 pm)
We needed to replace our minivan about 9 months ago (it got totaled) and bought a 2005 V70. So far we are very pleased with purchase. On the reliability issue, Consumer Reports shows improving reliability over time for the V70, with the 2005 getting very good marks (at least last time I checked). I have owned Volvos before, and can confirm that even though they may be costly at times to maintain, they give a rock solid ride at well over 100,000 miles and many years on the clock.
 
We also had some specific reasons to get the V70. We have 2 80 pound dogs and needed room in the back for them. The squared off rear made the V70 the best choice in a wagon. We also wanted a low jump in/out height, again for the dogs, so didn't want a higher vehicle like the Highlander, or even the XC70. Just goes to show that choosing a vehicle can be a very personal matter that statistics/specifications can't always capture.
 
Finally, we love driving the car. Its mainly for my wife, and it puts a smile on her face every time she drives it - which is good for me too.
 
All that said, we have friends with Highlanders who love them - for their needs.

#18 of 18 Re: V70R - back in the market: help me choose [twobigdogz] by jim314

Jun 28, 2007 (12:03 pm)

Replying to: twobigdogz (Jan 24, 2007 8:43 pm)
We have found that a V70 is great for carrying dogs. The low floor (compared to SUVs) is easy ingress and egress for large dogs who aren't leapers.
 
We have had canine auto restraint harnesses for years and I think this is an advisable safety measure both for the dogs and for the humans in the car. Almost always we have the rear seat folded down flat and we tether the large dogs to either the stout U-shaped catch that holds the rear seat back or to the cargo tiedowns. I wonder if the cargo tiedowns are designed to hold an 80-lb dog in a 10g or 20g collision.
 
My wife recently bought a 2007 XC90 and, because of the higher floor height, it is considerably more trouble to get our 13-year-old 70-lb border collie into and out of the XC90. The collie reaches up to the level of the floor through the left rear door and then I lift her hindquarters and she scrambles in. For the last year or so I have had to do the same thing to assist her into the V70.
 
Egress is more difficult. I detach her tether from the auto restraint harness and grasp the top of the harness with my left hand. I put my right arm under her abdomen and swing her out head first by rotating my body CCW (to my left), but this strong-willed border collie struggles everytime. She cannot stand not being in control.
 
Our fit 35-lb 9-year-old mix breed can get in and out of the V70 easily and, if he has secure footing even, from the XC90. But in the cramped confines of the garage I assist him a little entering and a lot exiting the SUV. When I grasp his harness and support his abdomen he just goes limp and lets me place him on the floor. I don't want these dogs to jump to the slick concrete floor of the garage from the height of the XC90.
 
A good additional tether point for a medium to large dog would be a tether diagonally up from one of the cargo tie-down loops on the back of the front seat track (i.e., near the floor). This might limit motion of the dog in case of a rear or side impact. I'm not doing this yet, but I'm thinking about it.
 
Our smallest dog, a 6-year-old 15-lb Russell terrier, rides on a pillow on the armrest between the two front seats and is tethered to his auto restraint harness to the inboard seat track loop of the front passenger seat.
 
I don't for a minute think these restraints are protecting the dogs to the same level as the human occupants, but I think this does a lot to protect them and us. Put it this way these canine restraints would almost certainly save the dog in a 5g crash and might work in up to a 20g crash.

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