Volvo XC-70 new option -- What to think

Morganthe

New member
Because I'm a fan, I read this review "A Wagon Survives a Slippery Slope."

Believe me, if I had the money, I'd look into a new wagon. I guess I'm not typical :p I don't want anything that "rides just like a car". I want a car that can occasionally carry large items and heavy loads. :thumbsup:

This is what I found most interesting:

Handsome seats feature the excellent support and side bolsters typical of Volvo. The backseat features a genuine advance: a pair of integrated two-position child booster cushions (a $495 option) that adjust to fit children of various sizes. Adaptive seat belts easily adjust to match the raised seats, while side-curtain air bags extend farther downward to protect young noggins.

It’s an ingenious idea. There is no need to buy booster seats, no time-consuming switching of seats between cars and no more anxiety over whether they’re properly in place. Studies in the United States and Europe have found that nearly half of booster seats are unsafely installed
.

Hmmm. :confused:
And that's about all I can say at this point. I don't know if this is would be a :thumbsup: or :thumbsdown: for those kids that many parents place into boosters as soon as they hit 30lbs+.
Oh, and I thought that child seats were incorrectly installed, not boosters. So I"m a bit confused.

Any thoughts?
 
ADS

groovymom2000

New member
They are including this option in the new V70 wagons as well--since I drive one, they send me emails with stuff, and I'm a geek, so I read them. I looked at what they were going to look like. I think that it's cool that they are offering a booster that has more than one position--some people who might not otherwise use a booster *might* use one, and perhaps it would fit better. The booster was an option for my '04, but I knew that I could buy a much better booster for WAYYY cheaper. People want them, though, and they will buy them. It's better than what they had before....

The feature that actually interested me was the integrated dvd player screens in the back of the headrests of the front seats--while I don't use a dvd player often, I hate strapping them to the back of our seats--projectile city. Of course, when we do use them, we're on a long trip, with all of the accompanying junk....:rolleyes:
 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician
Oh yeah, people use boosters wrong, too... (belts behind armrests, headrests not raised to fit kids, belts behind backs, belts not in belt guides, seats placed in the center with outboard belts over the kid...) 80% wrong is for carseats (most of us see 99% misuse once we get in and look), so 50% wrong for boosters may well be right.

Geesh, though, can't they at least base the minimum weight on the 3 yo/34 pound dummy? Why this market convention of 30 pounds all the time with the boosters...?

So I'd love to see this (back on topic, lol)... I hope they are better than the old built in boosters (not bad, but not known for their extreme comfort...I've seen kids complain about them). They make Cleks look cheap, too :D
 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician
LOL! And you know..I used ours today unlatched and it was great (it just wouldn't quite fit next to the Roundabout in the center when I used the latch).

Ok, sorry to hijack again, lol... I wonder when we can see pics of these new Volvo seats?
 

groovymom2000

New member
http://www.volvocars.us/models/V70/which/Compare.htm

Here's a link that has a picture and video clip.

I can't seem to copy and paste the picture. If the link doesn't take you right to it, scroll down to child safety.

ETA: I watched the video(no sound on, though)--most of the kids that they have using the highest stage setting should be harnessed in an ideal world. Also, if you've never seen what the seatbelts look like in a Volvo, the video gives you a good picture--now you know why I complain about that center location. If the 2 stage booster option had been available in the center position of my car, I would have gotten it, knowing what I know now about getting 3 across--I bet it's easier.
 
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joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician
Wowzers, it IS starting at 33 pounds (and 37 inches...just like that 3 yo dummy I'm so in love with, lol).

That's really cool... I wish every car had that (maybe one day...sigh...)
 

Morganthe

New member
http://www.volvocars.us/models/V70/which/Compare.htm

Here's a link that has a picture and video clip.

I can't seem to copy and paste the picture. If the link doesn't take you right to it, scroll down to child safety.

ETA: I watched the video(no sound on, though)--most of the kids that they have using the highest stage setting should be harnessed in an ideal world. Also, if you've never seen what the seatbelts look like in a Volvo, the video gives you a good picture--now you know why I complain about that center location. If the 2 stage booster option had been available in the center position of my car, I would have gotten it, knowing what I know now about getting 3 across--I bet it's easier.

Thanks for the link. I watched it 'with the sound on' ;) Helped out a lot for the visual too.

Copied from the website
The dual two-stage integrated booster seats w/adaptive seatbelts are another safety world first by Volvo. These integrated seats adjust two heights to accommodate children of different sizes. Now even smaller children can be seated higher to enjoy a safer and more comfortable ride. And as the children grow, the seat height can be adjusted accordingly. This optimizes the seatbelt geometry, and will – together with the built-in seatbelt load limiter – help reduce the strain on the child's neck and chest. And when the booster cushions are not needed, they're easily folded into the rear seat cushions.

The upper setting is designed for children measuring 37-47 in. and weighing between 33 and 55 lbs., while the lower setting is intended for children between 45 and 55 in. height and weighing between 48 and 80 lbs.


Remember what we were talking about recently where the Swedes were in favor of ff'd with booster, but not 5pt harness? Supposedly because the system doesn't 'give' enough to be safe for a child's body. This is probably where Volvo believes that using a 3pt is just as good, if not safer, than extended harnessing.

If my daughter had the same stats at age 5 or 6 as she does now at 4 years (42.5": 40lbs), I probably would feel very comfortable placing her in one of these seats. They do fit well. But since she reached their minimum weight/height limits at 25months :rolleyes:, I'd have to say 'no thanks' for the smaller fit. :thumbsdown::p

Then again, here in TX, if they were in this Volvo, the 3pt seatbelt law for kids would actually markedly safer than it is currently.:evil grin:
 

griffinmom

Moderator - CPST Instructor
I think Volvo's pushing it to call these "new". In older XC 70's and XC 90's, built in boosters have been an option for a while. Ok, so they weren't "dual stage" boosters, but built in boosters none the less.

My 04 XC90 has a built in booster which is fine. Since 9 yo DS has only been out of his Husky for a year, we haven't used it that long. It is nice if you want to quickly fold it away, but hardly worth the price quoted!
 

twokidstwodogs

New member
If I remember correctly, Volvo also has automatic pretensioners in its rear seatbelts, which is a really nice safety feature for kids in boosters. I think they're the only manufacturer with those, or at least the only one in my price range!
 

jmm3

New member
My sister's 04 S40 has two built-in boosters. They're not "dual-stage" but I really like them. The headrests also turn down on the sides to provide a little space to rest your head on.
 

griffinmom

Moderator - CPST Instructor
If I remember correctly, Volvo also has automatic pretensioners in its rear seatbelts, which is a really nice safety feature for kids in boosters. I think they're the only manufacturer with those, or at least the only one in my price range!

I remember one of the selling points of my car was that it has pretensioners in all 7 seating positions. I think pretensioners are great, but I still have yet to have 7 people in the car all at one time!
 

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