Volvo is once again back tilting at what has come to be called the crossover market with its latest XC70, a model that fuses estate car practicality with a modicum of SUV 'go-anywhere' lifestyle desirability. It's a car that plays to a small but cash-rich audience.

Over the past five years, I've had a pat response to the question car journalists get asked more than any other, namely "If you could have one car and one car only, what would it be?". As quick as a flash the answer would come back. First generation Audi allroad 2.5TDI. I'll justify that by saying I'm a keen skier and nothing combined soaking up motorway miles with speed and economy while being surefooted in the snow and capable of hauling a big load quite as competently as the Audi. Now I'm not so sure. The latest Volvo XC70 has my undivided attention. Prices start from £31,035.

The genes of the XC70 can be traced back through the V70 Cross Country right back to the V70 XC, originally launched in April 1999. Although many credit Audi with introducing the concept of the premium 4x4 lifestyle estate, history shows that Volvo beat its German rival to the punch by a year. Now the Swedes are making that experience count.

The latest XC70 isn't just a facelifted version of the old car. The chassis has been comprehensively redesigned, ironing out the old car's vagueness and introducing an element of fun to proceedings. That said, the XC70 is never going to be a poster child of the evo generation, instead campaigning on the basis of all-weather ability and unimpeachable safety. There are two engines offered to UK customers. Petrol buyers get a Welsh-built 3.2-litre straight-six that punches a healthy 235bhp with a maximum torque of 320Nm. Diesel customers get a 183bhp 2.4-litre D5 turbo diesel with 400Nm of torque. The D5 drives through either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed Geartronic auto with a sequential 'manual' mode, while the 3.2-litre car is offered solely with Geartronic.

"The Volvo XC70 is a car whose time has come"

Extensive use of high tensile steels has improved chassis rigidity by 15 per cent, allowing the suspension to do its job better. Volvo's DSTC stability and traction control system is fitted as standard as are the Four-C electronically-controlled dampers. Hill Descent Control and an electronically-controlled hydraulic clutch, which distributes drive to whichever wheels can best handle it, will help you out of a tight spot. Ground clearance, approach, departure and breakover angles have all been improved and the wading depth of 300mm should see you through the worst of the winter's storms. There's even an intelligent power parking brake that automatically disengages when the accelerator is pressed.

The styling is probably the ace in the XC70's hole. Where the Audi has become more restrained, the XC70 opts for a beefier, more macho look and it suits it very well. As well as the scratchproof protective cladding along the car's flanks and arches, there are chunkier front bumpers, blacked out side pillars and C30-inspired tail lights.

The windscreen and tailgate are raked a little more than before but the emphasis remains on serious carrying capacity. It's still extremely space-efficient with a class-competitive 485-litres of fresh air back there and a massive 1,641-litres can be liberated if you fold the rear seats down and stack your cargo to the roofline. You'll also find luggage nets and hooks to help secure any items with wayward tendencies.

The car's designer cleverly decreased the amount the side glass curves from front to rear, for maximum style at the driving end and maximum carrying ability at the business end. XC-embossed roof rails are a standard fit and the contrasting colour of the front foglight surrounds give the XC70 a mean squint. Front and rear crash plates leave onlookers in no doubt as to this car's dual purpose role.

Volvo took a rather smart tack when developing the latest V70 and XC70 ranges. In short, it culled the dead wood from the engine line up and axed the complicated trim levels, making the whole shebang far easier for customers to understand. A couple of trim levels, a couple of engines and then a big options list. In that regard, it's almost Germanic. The XC70's cause is also helped by the deletion of the V70 AWD four-wheel drive models.

Volvo offers a truly vast array of options and accessories on the V70. It would be all to easy to succumb to the temptations of the options list and end up paying far in excess of the list price for a fully-loaded model. There are also a number of handy packages of extra equipment that serve to simplify the selection process. This being Volvo, every V70 comes with a comprehensive array of safety equipment including the excellent WHIPS whiplash protection system and traction control. There's obviously ABS along with numerous airbags as well.

The Volvo XC70 is a car whose time has come. Rather than parade around in an SUV that draws all the wrong sort of attention, the XC70 is at the same time lower profile but harder hitting than its rather meek predecessor. In other words, it strikes a decent balance. Both engines are strong powerplants that complement the driveline well without overpowering it for the sake of headline stats. Of the two, the diesel will rack up bigger sales and is marginally the preferable unit.

The interior has been given the once over too, with most of the clunkier design themes replaced by a slicker look and feel. Otherwise there are enduring Volvo qualities such as supreme practicality and a whole slew of safety features. This model at last proves that a sensible choice can have a big element of desirability fitted as standard.

TOP 5 XC70 DEALS

The results below show the top XC70 deals on buyacar

	Volvo XC70 D5 SE 5dr Off Road
	ETR	Mthly £440	Saving £3,030	Price £28,000
	Volvo XC70 D5 SE Lux 5dr Geartronic Off Road
	ETR	Mthly £510	Saving £3,434	Price £31,596
	Volvo XC70 D5 SE 5dr Geartronic Off Road
	ETR	Mthly £464	Saving £3,171	Price £29,259
	Volvo XC70 D5 SE Sport 5dr Geartronic Off Road
	ETR	Mthly £500	Saving £3,384	Price £31,146
	Volvo XC70 D5 SE Lux 5dr Off Road
	ETR	Mthly £486	Saving £3,293	Price £30,337

typical 9.75% APR

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