VOLVO has come a long way since the square box design that became almost a way of life for the country set.
At one time you could count on the fingers of one hand the number of Volvo estates you saw without a black labrador staring from the rear window.
Today's range bears the influence of British designer Peter Horbury - although the team was led by Henrik Otto - and is much sleeker, chunky - in a street-wise sort of way - yet immediately recognisable.
For my money, the best looking model in the line-up is the diminutive S40 - the squat stance and the caricatured lines in the bonnet mark it out as a truly confident styling venture.
Of course, under the svelte Swedish skin much of the car is Focus because Ford now owns Volvo, but it is none the worse for having an American master.
In fact the Focus platform is one of the best in the business and helps endow the S40 with a comfortable blend of rigidity, space and security.
There's a huge array of models with petrol engines spanning a wide band that starts with the pretty tame 100bhp 1.6-litre and goes up to the fire-breathing 220bhp turbocharged T5 - and that's not including the diesel power units.
I drove a relatively modest 1.8-litre in SE spec which clocks in at £18,955 which is a bit dearer than the Focus and Astra but cheaper than the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. And it is really from these aspirational models that Volvo is aiming at winning sales.
The 1.8 pushes out 125bhp which gives it a fair turn of speed - 124mph and 0-62 in 10.9 seconds - without earning it a place in the sport bracket. Handling and roadholding is vast improvement on the previous S40, partly thanks to a body that's 68 per cent stiffer.
With great rigidity and ample sound insulation, the S40 is one of the quietest cars in its class - a quality that's much appreciated by buyers of premium sector cars.
The cabin, though relatively compact, is among the best designed - simple and stylish but effective, and above all, quite individual.
A curved binnacle in front of the driver houses the main dials and the centerpiece of the facia is what Volvo calls a 'free-floating central instrument stack' that contains stereo and ventilation controls. Behind is a storage space for oddments but I'm sure I'd lose my sunglasses or mobile there.
There's plenty of space up front for driver and passenger, but legroom in the back is a bit tight. The conventional rear boot holds just over 400 litres of luggage but items must be lifted through a relatively narrow aperture.
Practicality is improved, however, by the flip-down rear seats that allow access to the boot. Climate control, alloy wheels, CD player with Dolby Pro Logic sound and electric windows and mirrors are all standard.
And when it comes to safety Volvo are right at the forefront - a whiplash protection system, side impact protection system and 'inflatable curtain' are fitted along with twin front airbags.
Somehow, Volvo has managed to retain its traditional values in the S40, yet has freshened and rejuvenated its image to make it appeal to a younger audience.
FAST FACTS
Volvo S40 1.8 SE 4dr
Price: £18,955
Mechanical: 125bhp, 1,798cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 124mph
0-62mph: 10.9 secs
Combined mpg: 39.2
Insurance group: 9
CO2 emissions: 172g/km
BiK rating: 21%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 8yrs anti-rust