So we got a 2012 Volvo XC70 T6

Apparently we’re the first local media to drive this Volvo XC70. Not the most popular of cars here, but it has been around for a few years now, on and off, in this iteration. But for 2012, there are major changes under the skin. First and foremost, this is the T6 model.

From now on, all XC70 petrol models will be T6 AWD versions. That means they all have a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-6 under the bonnet as standard.

It’s the same engine as the one in the speedy S60 T6, but in a heavier wagon body that is more practical and better-suited for bad weather.

The interior has been upgraded too, and it is trimmed as premium as any midsizer from BMW or Audi that cost a whole lot more.

There are still the two built-in baby seats in the back, so you don’t have to spend money on child-seats.

The boot is very long, although it doesn’t have the height that only an SUV can offer. There is even a pop-up luggage divider as well as a roll-up net back there.

We always like honest cars like this. These are the kinds of cars that defined the crossover segment, before it became all about appearing all tall and offroady. It’s a slightly-raised industrial-looking crossover that won’t suffer from paint chips on gravel tracks, can handle minor sandy situations, safely manages rainy roads, and still drives like a sporty sedan on the road. More in the full review.