Best Tyres for the Volvo XC70 D5

Driving in northern Norway, coastal climate, it has good handeling in mild slippery weather, excellent in proper winter driving

Been using this tyre on two volvo XC70's over the last 10 years and have done probably 80k miles with them (3 sets). They are very sure footed in nearly all situations - the only thing they are not as good as cross climate2's (my XC60) is bump rebound mid bend (on pot holes)- the rear can skip slightly. Really good on gravel wet or dry - mud also good - snow: better than cross climate2 for braking and traction (UK has wet snow and slush) - tho not as good as a proper winter in these conditions.
Ive towed cars out of muddy fields with these tyres - bit more difficult when worn down.
Good stability at motorway speeds - but they dont have the ultimate grip of the new all season tyres - the design came out in 2009!! and hasn't been changed so pretty impressive .
As I use them on small roads with very rough edges and have to avoid tractors and lorries they are confidence inspiring that they won't damage easily.
Highway they are a bit noisy compared to the cross climate 2 and certainly not as fuel efficient. but for poor road surfaces and some light off roading they are really good with strong sidewalls. cannot get my size now so will have to either change wheels or goto another tyre type.

I got the tires with the car, I drove on them for two winters. Due to the law, they saw 2cm of snow for two days. So I can't say how they are in the snow.
They are cracked on the side from age, since the DOT number says they are from 2017. The depth of the saree was about 6mm.

Vehicle - 2015 Volvo XC70 AWD D5 with a D5T5.com remap.
Average annual miles - 32 / 35k 70% of that is motorway, dual carriage way and fast A roads. When I do get onto B roads I do press on......yes you can hustle along 2 tonnes of wallowing volvo quite nicely.
These are my 3rd full set of Blacklions although now they have changed their name to Dynamo which to me sounds a bit naff!....but still the same great tyre. Mine have a load rating index of 101 which is correct for the cars weight and how I load it, added advantage is it makes a stiffer tyre also.

It came fitted with Pirelli tyres when I bought the car, my long standing tyre dealer offered me 30% discount to try the Blacklions as he'd just started to sell them and knew I'd give him straight talking feed-back.

Honest opinion, unless they cease manufacture, I'll not be changing the brand at all. They are excellent tyres, their performance does not match their low price, it totally blows it out of the water. On my car they totally out-classed the previous Pirelli tyres on all fronts.

I appreciate that the XC70 is AWD, however, I've really tried to get them to 'let go' and only succeeded in the wet and then the stability control took over.
They give great ride quality, not skittish over white lines, low road noise, long lasting - average of 35k for a set but I do change before the wear indicator so probably 38k ish.

I have driven on them over three European road trips including on the Autobahn and they didn't falter even during extended periods of high speed (110 +)

So in summary - don't be put-off by their name or the low price or a reference of a budget tyre - They are far from it and are a very capable, safe and long lasting tyre.


Another strange point is that they appear to need less weights when balancing???

Continental say they did put effort on making this a comfortable tyre but i have to disagree.
Great grip, feedback etc but comfort is rubish, and i personally look out for comfort.
They are actually harder than pirelli scorpion verde which are know for being hard!
Cannot recomend.