Crash tests have not been conducted on the 2012 Volvo XC70. As is required of all 2012 models, it has standard antilock brakes and an electronic stability system with traction control. It also comes standard with driver and passenger frontal airbags, side-impact airbags for the front occupants and side curtain airbags for both rows.

All trim levels of the XC70 can have the optional integrated dual-stage booster seats. These pop out of the seat bottom into two seating positions. The first one accommodates children ranging from 44 to 55 inches tall and 48 to 80 pounds, while the second position fits children 37 to 47 inches tall and 33 to 55 pounds. If you don't opt for the integrated booster seats and use your own instead, your kids will have no trouble buckling their own seat belts. While the seat belt buckles are more or less flush with the seat bottom, the seats are wide enough that kids can still reach down and buckle on their own without the booster seat creeping its way over the buckle and obstructing it.

For those installing rear- or forward-facing child-safety seats, the Latch anchors in the two outboard seating positions are buried quite deep within the seat bight, making it difficult to install — and subsequently uninstall — seats using Latch. You may prefer to use the seat belts themselves to secure child seats.

The XC70's rear seats do not recline. That can cause discomfort for child passengers who nap in booster seats, causing them to slump forward and over the top of their seat belt.