THE LAST time I was behind the wheel of a Volvo I was driving one in its natural habitat - in sub-zero temperatures in Sweden.
The vehicle was the smash-hit XC90 4x4, which we took onto the frozen waters of the Baltic Sea, through tree-lined forest tracks and an ice-bound off-road obstacle course. It was a great experience, and proved how reliable, stable and versatile the Swedish product can be.
And this strength and stability percolates down through the whole range. These are the qualities that Volvo drivers look for - and get.
And that's not all they get. Not so many years ago the image of Volvo was of somewhat staid dependability. Now it has been changed to one with a more sporty, rakish look.
This has been mainly due to the efforts of British designer Peter Horbury, who is now executive director of Ford's Premier Automotive Group, which includes Volvo, Jaguar and Aston Martin.
A prime example of Horbury's magic touch is Volvo's big V70 estate. It still retains a squarish back end, which is typically Volvo, but the rest of the body styling is a mixture of S60 and S80 with sleek, go-faster lines.
The V70 is a big motor - 15ft 4in long. But unlike some other heavyweight load-luggers, which are big on the outside but lack interior space, the V70 is a real five seater with huge load space.
The flat boot floor and low loading point are ideal for those who lead an active lifestyle and need to carry sporting or leisure gear. There's also a unique shopping bag holder in the boot that keeps items upright and secure, and most models also feature a rear waste bin.
And the space is not confined to the boot. Leg, head and shoulder room are more than adequate for five adults. Seating is comfortable - standard fit all-leather in the V70 - and a good driving position can easily be obtained. The Volvo's large windows also make all-round vision good.
A well designed fascia means that all switches for CD, radio, heating and other functions are easy to find and understand.
So what's it like on the road? The days of wallowing around corners in big estates are over. The V70, although a heavy machine, is very stable and nimble through bends but is most at home when cruising the motorway. And there is no lack of power, especially in the 250 bhp T5 petrol version I had on test which has a top speed of 150 mph and a mind-blowing sprint time of just 7.5 seconds from zero to 60 mph - faster than many hot hatches!
A five-speed manual gearbox is standard across the range, but my test car was fitted with the optional five-speed automatic Geartronic system - a £1,300 extra - which also allows slick sequential manual changes for added control and driver satisfaction.
My motor also had plenty of other optional extras such as a rear spoiler, towbar, metallic paint, winter pack and Xenon headlamps, which pushed its price up to £33,464 on the road. The entry level V70 2.4 S comes in at a more modest £22,260. Still a lot of money - but it's a lot of car.
During the test week I managed to average 25 mpg in the V70 which, considering its size, means it isn't the gas-guzzler I thought it would be.
FAST FACTS
Volvo V70 T5 SE Auto
Price: £31,060
Mechanical: 250bhp, 2,319cc, 5-cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via five speed auto transmission
Max speed: 150 mph
0-60 mph: 7.5 sec
Combined mpg: 26.2 mpg
Insurance group: 16
CO2 emissions: 258g/km
BiK Rating: 27%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 8yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint