Okay, why the online review of the $70k Volvo. We get test cars weekly--sometimes two per week. We're on a set rotation with the manufactures as well as the agents who deliver their cars. Once you're in rotation, logistically it's way, way easier to keep on it. Otherwise each swap becomes a two-man operation on their end. That gets expensive.
This week we have a Toyota Yaris and a Hyundai Ioniq. Last week was the Volvo wagon and a Dodge SUV. The Type R is on deck once it's in the Florida fleet. That should be really soon.
Why do we get these cars? It's nice to see what's available. Some of the cars are aimed right at our market, some aren't. Either way, it's good for the staff to know what's going on in the mainstream. When I'm talking to my friend in Volvo's PR department about borrowing the P1800 from their collection, I like being able to also talk about their latest offerings. It's just part of how our world operates.
These tests also leave us with some great historical perspective. Want to know what it's like to live with an Eagle Talon, 20-year-old Camaro SS or 10AE Miata? Thanks to our usual rotation, we can. (I actually got hit in the Talon, but that's another story.)
A lot of these reviews won't make the magazine. In fact, just a few will. However, since pixels are still free, we post reviews of all of the cars here online. Maybe someone here is looking for a high-end Volvo. Or maybe a friend or a relative is. Or maybe someone Googling for a review will find ours, take a few minutes to look around, and like what they see here.
When it comes to cars that are aimed right at us--the MX-5, Fiat Spider, etc.--then, yes, we will arrange track time, run numbers and work on more content. For stuff like the Volvo wagon, we just can't justify it.
And, to be honest, our forte is doing project cars, hands-on tech, etc. That's where our focus lies, so that's what you mostly see in the magazine.
TL;DR: The Volvo wagon review isn't blocking out any of our usual content, especially when it comes to the magazine.