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Volvo's stylish though pricey S40 sedan is based on the Mazda3 platform and comes powered by either a 168-horsepower, 2.4-liter five-cylinder powerplant, mated to a five-speed manual transmission, or - in the performance-minded T5 model - a 218-horsepower, turbocharged engine that comes with a six-speed gearbox. A five-speed automatic is optional. In addition, a Haldex all-wheel-drive system is available. The vehicle's suspension delivers sporty handling characteristics, thanks to MacPherson struts up front and a multilink design at the rear. As befits the brand, many safety features are on hand, including a sturdy structure and Volvo's Side Impact Protection System. A stylish center stack of controls highlights the vehicle's distinctively styled interior. Standard features include four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Emergency Brake Assistance, and front-side and side-curtain airbags. Updates for 2006 include standard steering-wheel audio controls, revised wheels, and improved cupholders.

Volvo's compact V50 is the station wagon version of the S40, and is likewise based on the Mazda3 platform. It also comes powered by either a 168-horsepower, 2.4-liter five-cylinder powerplant, mated to a five-speed manual transmission, or - in the performance-minded T5 model - a 218-horsepower, turbocharged engine that comes with a six-speed gearbox. A five-speed automatic is optional. A Haldex all-wheel-drive system is also available. The vehicle's suspension delivers sporty handling characteristics, thanks to MacPherson struts up front and a multilink design at the rear. As befits the brand, many safety features are on hand and include a stiff structure and Volvo's Side Impact Protection System. A stylish center stack of controls highlights the vehicles' distinctively styled interior. Standard features include four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Emergency Brake Assistance, and front-side and side-curtain airbags. Updates for 2006 include standard steering-wheel audio controls, revised wheels, and improved cupholders.

For 2006, the mid-size S60 sedan is now powered in the base model by a 208-horsepower, turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine; an alternately available 2.3-liter, turbocharged five-cylinder generates 247 horses in the sporty T5 edition. Both front- and all-wheel-drive versions are available with five-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions. A high-performance edition - the S60R - offers a speedy 300-horsepower, 2.5-liter in-line-five-cylinder engine, mated to a just-added six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission that affords manual gear changes. The S60R also offers a Servotronic power-steering system, suspension upgrades, beefier Brembo brakes, and a newly upgraded Haldex "Instant Traction" all-wheel drive system. For 2006, the AWD and T5 versions get redesigned alloy wheels. Standard equipment includes four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, and front-side airbags. A "Four-C" chassis is available on the T5 that allows the driver to switch from "comfort" to "sport" ride and handling settings.

Volvo's stately S80 sedan gets a simplified lineup for 2006. The former T6 and T6 Premier versions are dropped from the model range, and the contents of the formerly optional Premium and Sport option packages are now standard, along with the T6's "watch style" instrumentation. The engine in the line is a turbocharged, 2.5-liter in-line five-cylinder that produces 208 horses and comes mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. A newly upgraded Haldex "Instant Traction" all-wheel drive system is optional. A long list of standard safety features includes front-side and side-curtain airbags, whiplash-preventing active front headrests, stability and traction control systems, and anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution; Dynamic Stability Traction Control is optional. An adjustable "Four-C" chassis allows the driver to switch from "comfort" to "sport" ride and handling settings heads up the options list.

Volvo's mid-size station wagon comes powered in its base form by a 168-horsepower, 2.4-liter five-cylinder engine. The 2.4T version adds a supercharged version that nets 197 horsepower. Both are mated to a choice of a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission. While the T5 version is deleted for 2006, the sporty V70R remains in the lineup and packs a 300-horsepower, 2.5-liter in-line-five-cylinder under its hood that can be fitted to either a six-speed manual gearbox or the aforementioned automatic. The V70R also offers a Servotronic power-steering system, suspension upgrades, beefier Brembo brakes, and a newly upgraded Haldex "Instant Traction" all-wheel drive system, A host of standard safety features includes four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, and front-side and head-curtain airbags. For 2006, new 16-inch alloy wheels replace the previously standard 15-inch rims, with 17-inch wheels and tires optional.

The V70-based XC70 station wagon is an SUV pretender, styled with a slightly higher ride height to appeal to SUV intenders. It's powered by a turbocharged, 2.5-liter in-line-five-cylinder engine that generates 208 horsepower and drives all four wheels via a six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission that can be shifted through the gears manually. For 2006 the XC70 includes a newly upgraded Haldex "Instant Traction" all-wheel drive system. Four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, and front-side and side-curtain airbags are standard, along with dual-zone air conditioning, a CD stereo, cruise control, keyless entry, a leather wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and alloy wheels. Options include Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, power leather seats, a power moonroof, navigation system, integrated child seats, and an adjustable "Four-C" chassis that allows the driver to switch from "comfort" to "sport" ride and handling settings

For 2006, Volvo's S80-based crossover sport-utility vehicle receives a newly upgraded Haldex "Instant Traction" all-wheel drive system. A V-8 model was added at mid-year 2005 that comes with a 311-horsepower 4.4-liter V-8 engine and a six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission that allows manual gear selection. Meanwhile, the base 2.5T model offers a 208-horsepower, five-cylinder and a five-speed Geartronic automatic. The former T6 model and its six-cylinder powerplant are dropped from the line for 2006. The XC90 can seat up to seven passengers via an optional hideaway third row seat. What's more, the second-row seat can be adjusted fore and aft to maximize either cargo space or passenger room. Front-side and side-curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, roll-stability control and a rollover protection system are all on board for safety's sake. A long list of available options includes a wood-trimmed steering wheel, rear parking assist warnings, an integrated child booster seat, a navigation system, self-leveling rear suspension, rain-sensing wipers, and heated seats.