DESPITE being somewhat spoiled for choice these days in the world of load lugging vehicles, it is always pleasing to be able to occasionally revert to those masters of the estate car, Volvo.
Having shaken off that old image of strength and safety shrouded in a boxy shape finished in battleship grey, the Swedish car maker has justifiably gained a reputation for delivering saloons and estate cars boasting eye catching fluid lines and comfortably spacious interiors.
One of the most recent members of this particular estate car club is the latest version of the Volvo V70 in R-Design specification, a package which combines sporty visual features and more dynamic driving characteristics.
Volvo has always been renowned for delivering a broad range of engine power choice and it doesn't disappoint here, four petrol and a trio of diesels being available.
As one would expect in a product from those Scandinavians, this is a quality estate car which comes with the best of both worlds - sport and refinement - thanks to sports inspired styling which gives the car a desirable and unique look both inside and out.
There is also a pretty harmonious balance between roominess and versatile loading functions, while this V70 gets a higher level of interior luxury.
The R-Design badge is displayed in the silver matt finish grille and the car also features silver matt door mirrors and chrome exhaust pipes while 18 inch Cratus alloys complete the overall look on the tarmac.
Inside the V70, leather faced sports upholstery in black and cream is embossed with the R-Design logo while super wide and heated front seats, based on the Volvo S80 executive saloon, offer greater stability and prove to be the very essence of comfort over the long haul.
Kit levels are very generous and include the likes of climate control while Volvo's legendary safety systems include, a plethora of airbags, whiplash protection system and side impact protection.
Special aluminium interior trim, sports pedals and an easily navigable centre console add to the quality while a neatly set out dashboard with new dials all add to the dynamic interior look and feel of a serviceable, well put together cabin.
Along with the wide and comfortable front seats, the driving environment proves a good place to be. Facing the neatly turned out dashboard and the 'floating' centre console, the electric driver's seat height adjust delivers sufficient movement to provide a driving position to suit most folk while overall vision is good.
Although rear seating may perhaps prove a little inhibiting in the headroom stakes for some tall passengers, overall, the V70 does provide plenty of room to accommodate passengers and their stuff.
The load area is huge - 575 litres with all seats taken, extending to 1,600 litres with rear seats folded flat - with plenty of hooks and nets about to prevent luggage having a mind of its own.
Driven here is the D5 derivative powered by the 2.4-litre turbo diesel which, paired with a smooth slotting six-speed manual gear change, will sprint from 0-60mph in well under nine seconds.
Fuel economy is around 43mpg when driven sensibly while 178g/km of CO2 emissions compares favourably with much of the competition.
Despite Volvo's 'Four-C' active chassis control which allows drivers to manually select comfort, sport or advanced mode settings, a certain amount of suspension noise does intrude while on the urban trawl. However, there is still a quite decent blend of agility with good grip and decent turn-in plus ride comfort to be enjoyed in the corners.
This latest V70 also offers a much more involving drive than its predecessor and, with road and wind noise being well hushed and body sway well contained, this five-door estate car's best work comes when effortlessly cruising the long haul.
Overall, the V70 R-Design is a good example of the premium estate car genre being spacious, comfortable, well kitted out and highly capable, while Volvo's reputation for safety and reliability add further to the assets of, what is, a very fine touring car.
FAST FACTS
Volvo V70 D5 R-Design
Price: £29,070
Mechanical: 183bhp, 2,400cc, 5cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 140mph
0-62mph: 8.9 seconds
Combined mpg: 42.2
Insurance group: 15
CO2 emissions: 178g/km
BiK rating: 25%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles