Volvo has long been a name associated with safety, and the Swedish automaker now boasts an expanded lineup of cars and crossovers.
The 2012 model year brings several changes to the entire Volvo lineup. Most of the vehicles add trim levels (Premier, Premier Plus, and Platinum) which reshuffle standard/optional features. Bluetooth® connectivity is now standard on all models as well.
The smallest of these is the uniquely styled C30 coupe. This three-door hatchback seats four and features a powerful, 220-hp turbocharged five-cylinder, which still manages to get 30 mpg on the highway; pretty good fuel efficiency for such a powerful engine.
For anyone who enjoys the feeling of the sun on their face while driving, the C70 coupe features a retractable hardtop which folds down in 30 seconds to let rays and fresh air in. Leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control are standard.
Redesigned last year, the S60 midsize luxury sedan might be the most exciting car Volvo offers when it comes to performance, featuring a trio of turbocharged engines and an adjustable chassis which changes to suit your mood, whether it be for a more composed ride or sporty hijinks.
Topping off Volvo’s lineup of passenger cars is the S80 which is filled with luxurious touches like hand-finished wood trim along the dash and steering wheel, and perforated leather seating surfaces. The five-seat S80 offers HD radio and Volvo’s Sensus system as standard equipment.
Volvo also offers three crossovers and we’ll start with the smallest. The compact XC60 crossover gets a new turbocharged six-cylinder engine for 2012 that slides into the T6 R-Design trim and produces 325-hp. It also comes standard with Volvo’s City Safety system, which can detect obstacles and brakes the car at low speeds to avoid collisions if the driver fails to do so.
The XC70 seats five passengers across two rows, just like the XC60, but is more wagon than crossover. Built with family friendly features in mind like available built-in rear booster seats and a powered tailgate, the XC70 also has plenty of off-road capability making it a very well rounded option for families on the go.
Rounding things out is the seven-seat XC90 midsize crossover. The V-8 option has been dropped for 2012, leaving the 3.2-liter six-cylinder as the only engine choice. This is the last year of the current version, an extensive redesign is planned for the 2013 model year.
The V50 station wagon and S40 sedan were both discontinued for 2012.
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