THE kids climbed out of the Volvo V70 R I was testing for the week and summed it up perfectly. "Great car dad, but why are the seats orange?"
I recognise that beauty is pretty much in the eye of the beholder - but sunglasses were needed to dim the glorious brightness emitting from the leather upholstery.
Thankfully having checked the brochure other more subtle shades are available so on with the review.
This was one of the best estate cars I've ever driven. Fast and sleek - laughing at Volvos of old and their tank-like reputation.
That's not to say the V70 R has compromised on Volvo's legendary reputation for safety. It's just that the Swedes have added the 'F' word to the mix - this is one fun motor to drive.
The suspension has three settings - comfort, sport, and 'so hard you're going to need dentures when you're finished'.
To be honest unless you're on a track, 'comfort' is perfect for normal road conditions and combined with the fine-tuned chassis gives the car the handling characteristics of a jet fighter.
It's exceptional in corners and with a gargantuan grip on the road surface delivers the driver a treat not normally offered by estate cars.
It defies conventions again with its speed off the mark. The 300 raging horses unleashed by the turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine propel the car from 0-62mph in a staggering 5.9 seconds.
That's sports car pace from a Volvo estate - a sentence I never thought I'd write. Indeed many purported sports cars I've driven don't give you the feel and thrill that this monster does.
The exterior of the V70 R sports an aerodynamically redesigned front end, while the aluminium wheels and rear spoiler hints at the beast beneath.
But in truth they give no real clue to the car's pace. It looks exactly as a modern Volvo estate should do. Trim, streamlined yet functional. On the catwalk it would be no supermodel, but on the road it certainly is.
The interior - apart from the orange hue - is excellent with sports seats that cosset, an 'R' embossed three spoke steering wheel that is easily adjustable as is the driving position. All the controls and dials are logically set out and easy to read.
Only a giraffe would be challenged by the amount of head and legroom on offer while the powered sunroof offers a pleasant alternative to the quality climate control fitted to the V70 R.
Slight dislikes are a handbrake that is too close to the driver and a tendency to be going too fast too quickly on roads increasingly festooned with money-making speed cameras.
For the button-pushers among you this Volvo goes some way to justifying a price-tag on the fat side of £38,000 with goodies including climate control, cruise control, power windows and door mirrors, heated front seats and a CD/Radio system with nine speakers supplying surround sound.
Volvo's reputation for making some of the safest cars around is maintained. The family will be well looked after in this estate with its state-of-the-art anti-whiplash and side-impact protection systems. It is also fitted with ABS and traction control.
FAST FACTS
Volvo V70R
Price: £38,133
Mechanical: 300bhp, 2,521cc, 5cyl petrol engine driving all four wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 5.9 secs
Combined mpg: 26.4
Insurance group: 18
CO2 emissions: 256g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000miles; 8yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint