esrosedotblog

I picked up the new Volvo XC70 this morning.

It is great. I have mostly driven it home but I did try some bells and whistles. Saving most for later.

Three hours door to door did me in. Two hours of paper work there. And I had put in two hours last Thursday on the buying decision, model, color, blah blah.

It is the same car basically as we have driven. The XC70 is a Volvo success story and they are sticking with it.

There is a grill change, always a distinctive grill change every model year, and a totally new control panel.

Some features that came with the upscale package and a few I got because I wanted the vehicle now and this one was available in Escondido.

It will take a while to appreciate some of the frills but I think I can get there.

It has a smart "key" which, as in the past, is more of a slab. The car senses it as you approach and, if you wish, you can merely press a button to open the driver's side. The start button also senses the key and it is not necessary to insert it. Just keep it in your pocket. Silly but fun.

More important there are side sensors which light up if there is a car in the right lane, outside the sightline. A little orange light goes on at the inside corner of the mirrors. Both sides. Radar!

The mirrors on the outside will look down to show a curb line or a line line.

These are real safety and conveniences in one.

The mirrors will come back, tuck themselves in, so that you can go in a tight space. Not advised for backing out of the garage as we need to see but I will figure their logic out.

The car is heavier. Yet has better milage. Good for a Volvo. It also has more power on the getaway and, a surprising feature, feels like a geared car on the decelerations so that the motor helps slow down. Very very nice.

It is really silver. Shiny silver. But tasteful.

A new color so that people will know it is new. But still light for reflecting the sun here.

I am happy with it.

I will have a little over a week to read up on it before John returns and I can be smart about everything before he figures it out.

Labels: Volvo