In a word association game, Barbour jackets, green wellies and clay pigeon shooting would often be associated with one of only two car brands. One would be Land Rover, the other Volvo. Both these brands are owned by Ford's Premier Automotive Group and have to be managed so as not to tread on each other's toes. Since the launch of the XC90, a fully-fledged Volvo 4x4 with instant appeal amongst the country set, that has become more difficult. The D5 diesel version looks to be the pick of the range, being of greater significance than the petrol contingent.

Despite competing in a market dominated by cars like the BMW X5 3.0d and Mercedes ML270 CDi, the XC90 D5 offers a reassuring blend of bold new world and tried and tested material. The fact that it wins just about every back-to-back comparison test and award going is also immensely reassuring. The chassis is ostensibly a stretched version of that which underpins the V70 estate, the XC90 also utilising many of the XC70's all wheel drive mechanicals. Moreover, the engine and automatic gearbox aren't significantly different to those found in an S80 D5 executive saloon.

The styling retains a number of familiar Volvo signatures too: the curvaceous bonnet that merges into the bold hiplines, the bluff front grille and the commonsense cabin and controls. The latest car emphasises the curves of the XC90's hips with a redesigned tail light section. There's also additional chrome detailing, a full-width rear scuff plate and a bumper that incorporates a little more body colouring to visually lower the rear of the car. The front also adds a splash more chrome and colour-coding.

Volvo's D5 engine used to produce 163bhp but a series of revisions to the unit boosted power to today's 185bhp and made it Euro IV compliant. The D5 starts at £32,845 and the value proposition seems to weigh in the big Swede's favour when it's compared to rivals like BMW's X5. It certainly won't break the bank to run, returning an average fuel figure of 34mpg, enjoying Euro IV status for tax purposes and producing CO2 figures of just 219g/km, which are especially good for such a large vehicle. The towing capacity of 2,250kg will also appeal to those with boats or caravans.

"The XC90 D5 isn't averse to a bit of the rough stuff."

Still, a good deal is being asked of that diesel engine. The five-speed automatic gearbox with its long, relaxed gearing saps power still further. Those looking for something a little livelier will like the more affordable six-speed manual gearbox. That said, only footballers and rap stars generally buy big 4x4s for their performance credentials and for the majority of us, the generous 400Nm torque figure of the diesel engine will be quite adequate. The 60mph increment passes in around 11 seconds and a top speed in the region of 120mph is perfectly acceptable for all but the most merciless autobahn stormer. The XC90 D5 isn't averse to a bit of the rough stuff, the adequate ground clearance, compact overhangs, diesel lugging power and comparatively low centre of gravity making it proficient but not in the same league as something like Land Rover's Discovery. It uses an electronically-controlled permanent 4x4 system with a Haldex differential calculating how much drive should be directed to the rear wheels, typically anything from 5 to 65%.

Unlike most of its rivals, the XC90 seats seven as standard with a set of rear seats that adults can occasionally use. Despite this, the car's footprint remains usefully small. Part of the reason for this apparent miracle of packaging is the compact transverse engines. Volvo offer this D5 five-cylinder diesel engine, an advanced in-lince six-cylinder 3.2-litre unit with 236bhp and the mighty 311bhp V8 powerplant. All three offer compact dimensions given their capacity and are impressively efficient.

Being a Volvo, the XC90 isn't shy of safety features. The innovative Roll Stability Control (RSC) system received the World Traffic Safety Symposium Manufacturers Award. In order to prevent the XC90 going dirty side up in the first instance, sophisticated gyroscopically controlled stability software steadies even the most radical lane changing behaviour. Should you hit a kerb or ditch and roll the XC90, it features a boron-reinforced roof to prevent the upper body deforming.

Finally, the car also features curtain airbags that stay inflated ten times longer than normal bags in order to ensure passengers are kept away from flying glass and insulated from doorframes during a roll. A demonstration outside Gothenburg where an XC90 was filled with crash test dummies and then walloped in the side by an iron sled proved how effective the system was. Despite being thrown into four-barrel rolls by this 30-tonne impact, the dummies were all safely restrained in their seats.

So, passengers are safe. What about other road users? Volvo have fitted a low-level impact absorbing cross member behind the front spoiler to prevent the high, wide and handsome XC90 riding up and over more vertically challenged vehicles.

Prices start at a cut throat £32,845 for the 183bhp D5 S. An SE version is also available priced at £36,435 which adds leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, a 6-disc CD changer, an electric driver's seat, body-coloured wheelarches and wood or aluminium dash inlays. Above the SE sits the SE Sport with its sharper responses and more dynamic appearance. Then comes the SE Lux model which features superior trim materials memory seats and bi-Xenon headlamps amongst other things. But the undisputed king of the line up is the £46,525 D5 Executive. This model really goes to town with far too much equipment to list here.

Like its BMW and Mercedes rivals, the diesel-engined XC90 is the one that most people will choose most of the time. If you're at all worried about the conspicuous consumption that big 4x4s represent, the Volvo XC90 D5 is a responsible alternative. Safe, with room for seven and without crippling running costs, it brooks no surprises. A Colossus with a conscience? That's about the size of it.

TOP 5 XC90 DEALS

The results below show the top XC90 deals on buyacar

	Volvo XC90 2.4 D5 SE Lux 5dr Geartronic Off Road
	ETR	Mthly £657	Saving £4,766	Price £33,791
	Volvo XC90 2.4 D5 SE Lux 5dr Off Road
	ETR	Mthly £635	Saving £4,592	Price £32,596
	Volvo XC90 2.4 D5 S 5dr Off Road
	ETR	Mthly £547	Saving £3,974	Price £28,320
	Volvo XC90 2.4 D5 SE 5dr Off Road
	ETR	Mthly £598	Saving £4,333	Price £30,799
	Volvo XC90 2.4 D5 SE 5dr Geartronic Off Road
	ETR	Mthly £620	Saving £4,506	Price £31,996

typical 11.31% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000