i sat in an inscription model with sovereign.... not cranberry but it was super soft. lovely feeling but not sure how well it'd wear... probably not but it'd feel great the 2-3years you have it if you plan to just lease or buy/sell quickly.

 

The cranberry leather is not as soft as the sovereign. It also has a "pebbled" texture to it. For at least the 2011 model year, this type of leather only came in the cranberry color. Although it is not as soft, the cranberry still feels good. I also agree it seems a bit more rugged. It cleans very easily. From what I've seen, the offblack and calcite sovereign leathers scuff easily, and the calcite in particular seems to pick up all sorts of marks and stains.

I noticed the difference in feel and texture between the cranberry and the sovereign options right away but I was not keen on either the offblack or the calcite colors. The only sovereign leather option color that I liked is the cacao, but that was even harder to find than the cranberry. Plus I wanted the electric silver metallic, and finding a cacao in silver seemed impossible without doing a special order or OSD. (The only cacaos I found were either white or black)

You'll have to check out both in person to feel the difference. Maybe you can see the texture in this picture:

 

I noticed the difference in feel and texture between the cranberry and the sovereign options right away but I was not keen on either the offblack or the calcite colors. The only sovereign leather option color that I liked is the cacao, but that was even harder to find than the cranberry. Plus I wanted the electric silver metallic, and finding a cacao in silver seemed impossible without doing a special order or OSD. (The only cacaos I found were either white or black)

Curiously, what got me thinking "another C70" was renting a convertible for two days last year while visiting my folks (south of Daytona Beach) and getting switched out of the Mustang I expected into a C70. And, while in the market recently, my local dealer had a '12 with 30-ish thousand miles in good condition I considered before going for a new Caspian. Both the rental and the '12 CPO were Electric Silver/Cacao...a nice combination I would have been pleased with.

 

C70 Caspian Blue with Calcite Sovereign Leather OSD 2012

Ok I'm confused... I'm shopping for a 2011 c70 and have seen some available with the cranberry leather. I've found that the cranberry was a no cost option but it is not the full leather sovereign hide. So it it only leather in the seating surfaces and does not have the contrast stitching or the perforated edge treatment.
What's the deal with this option? It doesn't sound like an upgrade and it's not as soft???

Just curious why offered this way? If Volvo wanted a red why not just offer a cranberry sovereign? I feel like I'm missing something here.

Anybody have this option? Does it wear better, clean easier? Etc...

I have a 2012 C70 (delivered by OSD -awesome -highly recommended if you buy a new Volvo!) - Shark Tune - Caspian Blue with Calcite Sovereign Leather - awesome combination! The Sovereign leather is the most comfortable and soft leather I've ever had or seen. My Calcite (light tan/off white) leather has remained like new with cleaning, but i do have one small area where it "scuffed", right near back of drivers seat near stitching. Other than that it has been great. In general though" Volvo is known for the most comfortable seats in the Auto industry, so even if the leather isn't sovereign, it will be comfortable. Good luck and enjoy: TOP DOWN!

 

I use a quality leather cleaner and conditioner when I clean my car. On my calcite leather I have noticed a light brown scuff on the doorside of backrest of driver seat. This is where I slide in each time. About 3-4 inches high right on the stitches. After 35k miles I am not worried. If I were concerned about everything I would be paranoid.