Standard features include fabric upholstery, an eight-way power driver seat with three-position memory, dual-zone automatic climate control, 160-watt AM/FM audio with single-CD and eight speakers, a leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and remote garage door opener, fog lights front and rear, a fold-flat 40/20/40 split rear seat with a locking cargo-floor storage bin and a fold-flat front passenger seat that considerably increases cargo flexibility, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Options include the Premium Package ($2,995), which includes a power glass sunroof, leather seating, a power passenger seat and walnut or walnut-root trim. The Convenience Package ($1,195) adds front and rear park assist, a humidity sensor for the climate control system, Interior Air Quality filtration system, a power tailgate, dark tint rear windows, a Grocery bag holder and 12-volt power outlet in the cargo area. The Climate Package ($875) includes heated front and rear seats, headlamp washers, heated windshield washer nozzles and Rainsensor windshield wipers. The Audio Package ($1,650) includes a 650-watt amplifier, Dolby Pro-Logic II Surround Sound processing, 12 speakers, a 6CD changer, rear-seat headphone jacks and Sirius Satellite Radio. The Volvo Navigation System ($2,120) uses DVD-based map data with driver controls on the steering wheel and remote control. The rear-seat DVD system ($1,800) adds two seven-inch LCD monitors in the front headrests, with an auxiliary jack for video games or cameras, wireless headphones and remote control. Stand-alone options include Active Bi-Xenon high intensity gas discharge headlamps ($800), metallic paint ($475), 17-inch alloy wheels ($550) and satellite radio prep ($95).

Safety features that come standard include multi-stage front-impact airbags and curtain-style head protection airbags for all outboard seats. The front passenger side-impact airbags have two compartments: a lower one for the hips, which can handle more force without injury, and a second one that deploys more gently around the shoulders. Volvo's latest generation Whiplash Protection Seating System (WHIPS) is design to minimize neck and back injuries in a significant rear impact. Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC), the latest-generation anti-lock brakes (ABS) and a tire-pressure monitor are also standard.

The new XC70 also offers several new safety options. Integrated child safety seats ($495) are built into the rear outboard seats, and can be adjusted specifically to the child's size. This optimizes the seatbelt geometry regardless of the child's stature. The safety belts have specially adjusted force limiters to reduce the risk of restraint injury, and the side-curtain airbags are lengthened for better coverage.

Volvo's Blind Spot Information System, or BLIS (($695), is one of the original systems designed to warn the driver of approaching vehicles that might not be visible in the mirrors. Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Mitigation by Braking ($1,495) uses the radar-managed active cruise control to warn the driver of a possible collision. The system issues a warning if the XC70 is closing quickly on an object and pre-loads the brake system, and it can actually engage the brakes if the driver fails to respond.

Finally, the Personal Car Communicator ($495) adds keyless starting. More to the safety point, it allows you to determine from anywhere whether you locked the car, though you'll have to call your spouse or friend to lock it for you if you are already on the plane, because it can't actually lock XC70 out of range of the remote. This device also allows you to tell if the car has been tampered with as you approach it in a dark parking lot, and includes a heartbeat sensor to determine if there is a villain lurking inside.