Under the bonnet surprise

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There's a new grille up front and twin tailpipes at the rear, but the most significant change to the Volvo XC70 diesel four-by-four crossover is under the bonnet, where its five-cylinder engine has been enhanced by the addition of a second turbocharger.

The bare facts are that the second turbo boosts peak outputs for the 2.4-litre motor by 21% for power and 5% for torque.

In particular, peak torque - 420Nm in all - is now available from just 1500rpm to 3200rpm, compared to a far narrower 2000-2750rpm spread for the previous engine's maximum of 400Nm.

As well as making the revised machine quicker than its predecessor, the second turbo allows it to pull more smoothly and strongly from low revs, and to gain a further edge in mechanical refinement over its accomplished predecessor.

Fans of long feature lists will continue to be tempted by leather trim, heated front seats (with power-adjustment for the driver), cruise control, dual-zone climate control, a trip computer, rear park assist, rain-sensing wipers, and an integrated phone system.

Six airbags, dynamic stability and traction control, hill descent control and an alarm system are also included in the standard equipment list, along with front and rear fog lights and 17-inch alloys.

Minor interior changes come in the form of a revised steering wheel, clearer displays, and new window switches.

Each makes an incremental improvement to an interior that has always scored highly for family-friendly practicality.

The lovely lean dashboard design, two-stage integrated booster seats in the rear and the big boot, remain the interior features that impress Drivesouth most in this car.

Flexible load-carrying, by way of a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat back is also welcome.

Fine as it was, the question raised on these pages when testing the previous single-turbo version in 2008 was whether or not the XC70 offered enough to justify a $10,000 price premium over the V70 wagon from which it is derived.

Back then, when the only mechanical difference was four- versus front-wheel drive, the verdict was probably not.

This time around though, the XC70 boasts a new and improved engine, while the V70 does not.

That, in my view, is enough to make for an even call this time.

At a glance:

VOLVO XC70 D5

Rating: (out of a possible 5 stars).
For: Practicality, new-found power and soft-road capability.
Against: Average on-road handling, poor visibility for shorter drivers.
Verdict: Extra power makes it a match for the standard V70.

SPECIFICATION

Price: $84,990
Engine: 2399cc 5-cylinder turbo diesel, max power 151kW@4000, max torque 420Nm@1500-3200rpm.
Transmission: 6-speed adaptive automatic, all-wheel drive.
Brakes and stability systems: Ventilated disc brakes, electronic stability control, ABS, EBD & BA.
Wheels, tyres: alloy rims & 235/55 R17 tyres.
Fuel and economy: Diesel, 7.5l/100km, tank capacity 70 litres.
Dimensions: Length 4838mm, width 1861mm, height 1604mm.
Warranty: Three years/unlimited kilometres

MAIN RIVALS

Audi Allroad 3.0 TDI, Subaru Outback.