Cross Country Cruisin’

Early last month we highlighted the impressive new Subaru Forester, General Motors’ subcompact SUV. It seems only fitting that with the arrival of the rainy season we delve even deeper into the world of cross-over vehicles — which are motorists’ best bet in combating the flood-induced traffic jams we will all inevitably have to face. Despite the snail-paced process the new excise tax law is currently undergoing, local manufacturers and distributors continue to feed the buying public with vehicles that scream functionality at every turn. With a cross-over vehicle or functional SUV or AUV available for just about every kind of motorist, it’s pretty much a cinch to find one that suits your personal taste — and budget.

Focus this time around goes to Volvo’s captivating luxury cross-over vehicle, the XC70, which targets upscale consumers tired of the you’ve-seen-one-you’ve-seen-em’-all sturdy yet this-close-to-clumsy-looking type of SUVs. The XC70, which was previously known as the Volvo Cross Country, is Volvo’s answer to the discerning luxury car driver who’s looking for more functionality sans the gawky stance larger SUVs are known for. The XC70’s combination of burly good looks, all-weather capability and sleek lines make for perhaps the most visually captivating wagon in any class.

Upon learning of an impending out-of-town trip, our friends at Viking Cars, Incorporated, local distributors of Volvo, quickly grabbed the opportunity for yours truly to take the XC70 on a cross country test drive — an offer which we, of course, gladly obliged. After all, who in his right mind would pass up the chance to travel in what is arguably one of the safest (not to mention one of the most visually-captivating) vehicles around? Thus, on a particularly rainy weekend, we traversed the pothole-infested North Expressway and went on to conquer the twists and turns of a very slippery Marcos Highway en route to the City of Pines.

For the uninformed, the XC70 in powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine which produces 208 hp at 5,000 rpm and a stout 236 lb/ft of torque from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm. All this power is made manageable in the driver’s hands by a 5-speed Geartronic transmission that allows one to shift from automatic to manual at any given point in time. The result — easy and smooth overtaking on demand. Even cross-country, bad-@$$ Philippine Rabbits didn’t stand a chance once we decided play time was over.

All the macho posturing would not have been possible, however, were it not for the fact that the XC70 is equipped with some of the most trustworthy safety features available right now. The advanced Haldex all-wheel-drive system, for example, kept us assured that the slippery roads would not be a problem as the said system reacts extremely well to wheel slip, routing power to the wheels with greater traction at one-seventh of a wheel rotation. The particular unit we drove was also shod with 215/65 R16 Michelins, all the more reason for us to feel safe whether we were touring at just a little over the speed limit (okay, maybe more than just a little), or overtaking through small pockets of opportunity.

Volvos are particularly known for their safety features even inside the automobile so it goes without saying that the XC70 is equipped with ABS, Volvo’s standard SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) with side airbags and IC (Inflatable Curtain), WHIPS (Whiplash Protection Seating System), seatbelts with pyrotechnic pretensioners in all seating positions, SRS (dual-stage front airbags), and Volvo’s safety cage construction. Those with young kids will also be pleased to know that the XC70 is equipped with the ISO-FIX attachment for rearward-facing child safety seats (not that we needed this particular feature, but hey, it is a plus!).

Outside, well, let’s just say Volvo’s aggressive new styling translates extremely well in this vehicle that has practically changed the way consumers look at wagons. The XC70 is a vehicle that commands attention as its styling leaves many a competitor biting the dust. Thus, it’s pretty much a given that driving around in an XC70 will make one feel anything but inconspicuous. Be sure to prepare yourself for admiring stares from onlookers and fellow motorists should you decide to test drive (or better yet purchase) an XC70.

Of course obtaining such a high-profile vehicle is not exactly like taking a walk in the park. Quality, after all, does have a price. The XC70 retails at a cool P 2.98 million, which is a pretty fair price to pay for a turbocharged Volvo, much less one that guarantees an altogether higher level of functionality with its spacious interior and 209mm-high ground clearance. The bottom line? The XC70 is without a doubt a class on its own. It combines great styling with superior safety features and throws in a whole slew of possibilities with its spacious interior and added cargo capabilities through its functional roof rack. And in the end, a Volvo’s reliability spells all the difference.