For the past few decades, Volvo seemed content is identified as a risk-adverse suburban mobile - more concerned with how safe the cars to shuttle children to school rather than how it stifles neutral from the top. But that has changed recently, and the boxy 240 and 760 tanks in the past have been replaced by swoopish saloons. And with the S60 T6 R-Design, the company will focus on entry-level luxury sedans like the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series and Lexus IS.

Visually, no offensive detail, inside or outside. A subtle character line extends over the side profile of the car, and the lower rocker panel crease (a design feature so common that borders on cliché) helps the S60 look trim and athletic. The luxurious interior is appropriate for its segment, with tasteful accents and matte aluminum finished plastics. The leather seats pamper the occupants with a balance of comfort and support. And it's a dream cruise - the cabin remains quiet, even at the approach of triple-digit speeds, undisturbed by kinks and bends in the road. But although in line with the Bavarian competition in refinement, interior still seems a bit too cold, it's typically Scandinavian, and those used to the seductive lines of the Audi A4 can find the S60 also industrial.

Whether you're a fan of the quirky or aesthetics, ergonomics probably a disappointment. Most of the climate control, audio and navigation controls are clustered in an intuitive keyboard layout, and it is a driving distraction if you can not figure out which function is true, a colleague did not even know the car had a navigation system to I pointed it out. Even if you have the nav system detects, the performance paragraph. A smart phone is a better route map, and the controls are needlessly worried. Also describes the main features buried - after much digging, I discovered that it is possible to turn off the stability control system, or at least set to sport mode.

Fortunately, the driving dynamics fare better. While it’s no 3-Series killer on the turns, the S60’s chassis feels composed, and the tail faithfully rotates around corners even with traction control on, thanks to the responsive AWD. When pushed, however, there’s enough body roll to discourage at-the-limit driving. But it’s not a car meant to be flogged in turns — and to be fair, most would never push a Infiniti G37 or a BMW 335i that hard, either.

Power delivery is a mixed bag. With 354 ft-lbs of torque, the 3.0-liter V-6 has enough pull to quash any notions of Volvos being stodgy; turbo lag, if any, is imperceptible, and revs climb vigorously right to redline. Spirited acceleration, however, is soured by finicky throttle mapping. Lightly press the gas and it crawls off the line like a skittish mom in a Volvo 850 wagon. Add a touch more gas it lurches forward like a teenager on a learning permit. And woe to your neck if you put it in the 6-speed Geartronic automatic’s sport mode — mini-bouts of whiplash are inevitable on tip-in.

Although it may be underwhelming to hardcore sports sedan aficionados, that’s not to say the S60 T6 R-Design is a bad car. For the most part, it’s an enjoyable cruiser, one that’s content to stay under the radar. But at this price point, it’s the little things that make the difference. And at a tested price of $46,875, there are too many foibles to make this a stand-out over the already-crowded sports luxury sedan field.

With the XC60, Volvo took the plunge into what it is calling the "small premium utility" market, which is to say, a compact crossover SUV with luxury appointments. While on the small side, the XC60 is a bit larger than many of its most striking market contemporaries. At 182.2 inches in length, the XC60 is 2.3-inches longer than the BMW X3, 1.5-inch longer than Acura's RDX and 3.9 inches more than the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class.

The XC60 also stepped into the crowded small crossover platform with a design that was more aggressive and more expressive than many recent Volvos. The XC60 crossover play every card in the small SUV design playbook, with huge headlamp assemblies (erratic irregular in shape), many trapezoidal elements, a marked step-down between the power dome hood and fenders, an increasing waist line of the stem to stern and really big "S-turn tail thing the book back.

The XC60 can be done in three flavors. The base front-wheel drive 3.2 (all-wheel drive is optional) is powered by Volvo's 240 hp 3.2-liter six-cylinder. The all-wheel drive XC60 T6 is powered only by a 300 horsepower, 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder, like the T6 R-Design version, which comes shod with 20-inch wheels, a stiffer suspension, additional eye candy, and no less than 325 hp.

Bodystyle: 4-door SUV

Engines: 3.2-liter inline-6, 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6

Transmission: six-speed automatic

Models: 3.2, T6 AWD, R-Design

Few changes for 2012, but three model levels have been deleted and replaced with Premier, Premier Plus, and Platinum.

The XC60's exterior is a direction that was determined by the lines of the 2011 S60 sedan. Of the XC60 body is flowing and expressive in a way unimaginable Volvo lovers of old, and features large headlight assemblies, many trapezoidal elements, a marked step-down between the power dome hood and fenders, and a rising beltline of the stem to stern.

Inside, Volvo's Scandinavian design philosophy is clear, where your Volvo's signature slim, waterfall center console and find the anchor point. The dashboard and door inserts have a unique, modular feel, and includes a 7-inch color screen infotainment with Bluetooth and satellite radio.

The Volvo XC60 is 0-60 mph times vary depending on engine configuration. The front-drive version of the 3.2 achieved in an estimated 8.6 seconds, while the all-wheel drive and T6 R-Design for a quick drop to 7.1 seconds. The reinforced-up suspension, larger wheels and tires, and more direct steering, the R-Design is by far the best handler of the group, although the 20-inch tires for smooth ride comfort lend.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Volvo XC60 the Top Safety Pick for 2011, and it must follow in 2012. Legendary Volvo safety technologies are available in abundance for the XC60, Volvo's safety including city, the XC60 will stop automatically at speeds below 19 mph when it detects an impending collision.

3.2 front-wheel drive: 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway

3.2 AWD: 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway

And T6 R-Design: 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway

The 2012 Volvo XC70 marches on with a few tweaks aim to keep competitive. Under the hood, the base XC70 normal atmospheric 3.2-liter inline-6 is now accompanied by a partial zero-emission version that sacrifices some horsepower (230 compared to 240) for the benefit of lower emissions and the expectation of something better mileage. Meanwhile, the 300 horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six powering the T6 version is unchanged. Both engines are coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. Fortunately, both engines use regular-grade gas, because the XC70's fuel consumption average at best.

Visually, the XC70 not changed since 2010. There are new 18-inch wheels on the T6, but little else has changed. Inside, the XC70 has an optional 650-watt audio system, and the new Sensus infotainment system with Bluetooth capability to connect.

Although essentially a raised, all-wheel drive wagon, the XC70 could be considered one of the original players in the premium crossover segment, now with a number of attractive alternatives. As expected from Volvo, the XC70 has plenty of systems designed to be safe and stable, including Volvo's "Instant Traction" and electronic Hill Descent Control.

The XC70 remains basically unchanged from 2011 except for some minor trim updates. The T6 has new 18-inch wheels, and a new color: Twilight Dawn with an espresso brown interior.

In an era of rapidly appearing and highly stylized new crossover, the XC70 is lost in the crowd. The rugged design of the station wagon is a return to earlier Volvo cars, but that may be exactly what some are looking for.

The XC70's interior is luxuriously appointed, with an overall theme of flowing sweeps over the dashboard. The center console is marked by a version of Volvo's signature, detached, waterfall center stack, and attractive, including wood inlays available. A special mention is the ergonomic quality of controls, such as the new Sensus infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity.

At about 3985 pounds, the XC70 is not light. But the 240 hp 3.2-liter six moves the XC70 to 60 mph in about 8.4 seconds, while the 300 horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter from the 4279-T6 AWD pounds are in 6.9 seconds. Not bad. Otherwise, the XC70 is designed for comfort, peace, and rough-road capability, so do not expect sports car handling.

The XC70 is all Volvo safety bells and whistles, including City Safety, a driver support system that helps to prevent low speed collisions. Depending on vehicle speed, City Safety will either pre-charge the brakes or automatically stopping the XC70 to help avoid a collision. Other preventive safety measures aimed at preventing driver distraction with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake new (CWAB), new Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake, Distance Alert (DA), Driver Alert Control (DAC) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

3.2: 18-19 mpg city/24-25 mpg highway

T6 all-wheel drive: 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway

The XC90, which was introduced in 2003, Volvo's flagship crossover SUV. It has not been updated since 2007, and marches into 2012 with only small model-level changes, including the termination of the V-8. The XC90 is available with a 240 horsepower 3.2-liter inline-six and a six-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is optional on all models.

Although the XC90 is built on the same foundation as the S80 sedan, is a big car with seven seats in three rows, with comfort features and safety features Volvo's signature. Unfortunately, this comes down to very low mileage: 16 mpg city/23 a lackluster mpg highway for both front-and all-wheel-drive versions.

The XC90 is a very conservative offering Volvos. However, the R-Design model, there is some sparkle with 20-inch wheels and xenon headlights. Volvo is expected soon to announce a completely new XC90, which come as a 2013 or 2014 model.

Bodystyle: 4-door SUV

Engine: 3.2-liter inline-6

Transmission: six-speed automatic

Models: 3.2, 3.2 R-Design

The V-8 model has been discontinued for 2012, and there is a Caspian blue color for the base model. Like other Volvos, there is a new design philosophy that optimizes standard features: Premier, Premier Plus, and Platinum

The XC90 is a very conservative design compared to current design trends Volvos. Compared to the newer XC60, the XC90 is noticeably angular. However, for some that translates into a visual impression of substance and toughness.

The XC90's interior is wonderfully luxurious and consists of smooth curves and rich-looking details. It is also well done from an ergonomic standpoint, with an elegant, easy to use controls and superb seats, but the addition of the third row, second row affected room. Features-wise, the Volvo XC90 has all amenities, including Bluetooth and audio streaming, plus an optional 650-watt audio system.

The XC90 drives just as you would expect from his appearance: Heavy-feeling, but comfortable. The six-cylinder equipped 3.2 accelerates to 60 mph in about 8.7 seconds, fast enough for a regular, around-town driving, but poorly performing compared to other vehicles in this segment.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the XC90 with "Good" ratings for front, side, rear and rollover tests. Meanwhile, the NHTSA gives the XC90 five stars for driver and passenger and driver side and rear passenger protection, four stars for rollover protection.

3.2 and 3.2 R-Design: 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway

Volvo S60 is the second year of a stylish redesign, supported by new Chinese owners. Packaged in a slinky coupe-like profile, the S60 is Volvo's adult sports sedan, a quirky alternative to the snobby German competitors.

Visually, his features of the S60's fashionable oblong, resembling those recently given to the updated C30, while the tail has a nice fastback design. The interior combines traditional Volvo's stoicism with an Audi-like flair and an excellent center stack control ergonomics.

Three engines are offered a front-wheel drive T5 with 250 hp 2.5-liter 5-cylinder turbo, the T6 all-wheel drive with a 300 horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder, and T6 AWD R-Design with a high-output 325 hp turbocharged, 3.0-liter 6-cylinder. All engine configurations come with six-speed automatic electronically controlled Volvo.

Predictably, Volvo has also gone all-out in the security arena, offering its sports sedan with advanced technologies, including City Safety and Pedestrian Detection - both of which lead to automatic braking in an emergency - and a 180-degree front mounted video camera. The S60 is a solid start for Volvo when it starts the future under Chinese ownership.

Volvo upped the ante for 2012 sport with the introduction of the all-wheel drive T6 R-Design, with 325 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. a torque of a turbocharged six-cylinder in the T6 model. The S60 T6 also sees a flurry of special exterior and interior design cues, including 18-inch wheels.

The S60 is Volvo's most dramatic step away from the "boxy" design heritage and towards a flamboyant new design philosophy. The S60's nose is similar to that of the newly redesigned C30, while the profile is a unboxy, sweeping and dramatic arc. Think fastback.

Inside, you'll be treated with two easy to read meters in the simple instrument bin, and extravagantly carved chairs are topped with scythe-like head. The atmosphere of the Swedish elegance is enhanced by the deposit available "Urban Wood".

All S60 variants are capable of sub-7 seconds 0-60 mph time, and the most powerful version - the T6 AWD R-Design - get to highway speeds in only 5.5 seconds. The front-drive T5 is the most pedestrian of the bunch, but the all-wheel drive T6's, with an improved suspension, the aggressive sport-tuned models lovers would like.

The S60 is an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2012, with a 'good' score in the front, side and rear impact, plus standard stability control. Besides the abundant airbags, anti lock brakes and other safety systems, in 2012, the S60 also offers advanced systems, such as City Safety and Pedestrian Detection, both designed to prevent accidents by stopping the car at low speed collisions.

Body: four-door sedan

Engines: 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-5, 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6

Transmission: six-speed automatic

Models: T5, T6 all-wheel drive, all-wheel drive T6 R-Design

Front Wheel Drive: 20 mpg city/30 mpg highway

AWD: 18 mpg city / 26 mpg highway