ESTATE cars have always had something of an image problem. More likely to appeal to no-nonsense Uncle Nigel than daredevil Auntie Delia, they've traditionally been bought for their practicality rather than their sex appeal.
But the last decade has seen the car industry desperately trying to give load-luggers sportier shapes and more street credibility with younger drivers.
The language has changed too in a bid to convince us that practical cars can be sleeker and sexier, which is perhaps one reason why Volvo's V50 is not an estate but a Sportswagon, no less.
Indeed, the Swedish manufacturer has taken motoring sales jargon to a higher plane in its promotional literature, determined to woo design-conscious twenty and thirty-somethings with a "go-ahead" premium estate that will "enhance their active lives".
For those who don't speak Volvish, this translates into a solid-looking beast where the boxy silhouette of the tank-like estates the company produced a quarter of a century ago has become a great deal curvier.
The roof slopes gently down towards the rear and a bumper lip encircles the angled tailgate, making sharp corners and rectangular shapes a thing of the past.
The snout extends in front of the headlights from a sloping, V-shaped bonnet in an evolution of the Volvo family look that retains a powerful road presence.
Some may find the huge rear light cluster a little ugly and intrusive, but the flared wheel arches hint at the car's performance potential and, while it's not particularly eye-catching, it's a classy and reasonably shapely package.
Slip behind the wheel however and you soon remember what Volvo does best - protecting and cosseting you in equal measure. The price tag of premium brands means that drivers have high expectations - and that starts with the sensation that things are built to last.
Here, the trim and instruments feel sturdy without being old-fashioned. The padded leather seats are extremely comfortable, the steering wheel is reassuringly chunky, the gearstick comes to hand easily.
The company is immensely proud of its "radical", "free-floating" centre stack, which "conjures images of contemporary high-end technology". Wow. What could this be?
Ikea regulars who love the cleanness and simplicity of good Scandinavian design will appreciate the fact that Volvo has moved away from solid but somewhat uninspiring controls to a slim metallic panel which neatly incorporates all the audio and climate control equipment.
This not only looks more like the modern audio-visual gizmos found in the average British home, but is simple to use too. Matched with clear, helpful instrument gauges, it's a user-friendly package that won't confound traditionalists.
The strongest selling point for the two litre turbodiesel is its sheer versatility. Matching formidable pulling power with impressive frugality, this is a whispering 90mph autobahn cruiser that can reach 62mph from standstill in under ten seconds without sounding ruffled.
Good soundproofing means it's reassuringly quiet on the open road, allowing you to enjoy your upgraded surround-sound system in serenity. But the car's driving dynamics are good on winding roads too, with plenty of torque in the lower gears when you need it, slickly harnessed through a six-speed box.
It's only when you take a Volvo onto a frozen lake in Finland that you discover exactly how impressive its handling can be, but the safety features are just as welcome on a rain-swept congested British motorway.
Stiffer, wider, taller but slightly shorter than the previous V40, the V50 naturally has a massive load space that can be readily extended if the rear seats are not in use, yet it doesn't feel bulky until you start reversing into a tight parking space - and even then, the £340 park assist option can come to your rescue.
If the feel of all the equipment smacks of quality and the traditional safety features add to your sense of wellbeing, the only remaining worry is the price.
The 1.8-litre starts at under £18,000, but you won't get much change out of £24,000 if you want to go the whole hog and add a few extras like xenon headlights and metallic paint to the leather upholstery, alloys, fog lights and powered driver's seat that come with the SE specification.
Nonetheless, it's all a far cry from those tank-like estates of old, and the company hopes to sell around 9,000 a year to "cosmopolitan and sociable" types who juggle demanding careers with a busy family life and still find time for the odd work-out on the squash or tennis court.
Yes, you might spot the odd trilby hat still balanced on the rear load cover but, thankfully, estates are no longer stuck in a timewarp - and the V50 is no exception.
FAST FACTS
Volvo V50 2.0 D SE Sportswagon
Price: £21,363
Mechanical: 136bhp, 1,997cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 130mph
0-62mph: 9.6 secs
Combined mpg: 49.6
Insurance group: 10
CO2 emissions: 153g/km
BiK rating: 20%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 8yrs anti-rust