Volvo V70

The V70 is part of a new generation of Volvos, a generation that combines the traditional Volvo virtues of safety and practicality with an avant-garde style and a sassy attitude.

All-new last year (2001), the V70 is a mid-size wagon based on the same mechanical platform as Volvo's prestigious S80 sedan.The kinship shows: While V70 surrenders nothing in practicality to other mid-size wagons, and exceeds most, if not all, in safety.And this sexy Swede does more than haul moldings home from Home Depot.In T5 form, especially, it just plain hauls, but with the refined demeanor of a European luxury sedan.

V70's practical side shows in an adaptable seating arrangement, and a cargo compartment with tie-down hooks and other useful accessories.Its safety heritage lives on with a safety-cell structure and active seats rigged to thwart whiplash injuries.Occupants are shielded by airbags positioned ahead, beside and above.Responsive steering, electronic brake enhancements, and optional traction control help avoid accidents in the first place.

But with a selection of turbocharged engines, aggressive suspension tuning and low-profile performance tires, the V70 also likes to go out and play.

.The problem with the common sport-utility is that it's more than 80 percent truck, when you probably need a truck less than 20 percent of the time.This can lead to a bad case of SUV-itus.Symptoms include a jarring ride, uncertain handling, and a wallet-emptying thirst for fuel.

Volvo has the cure, or maybe we should say antidote, or just anti-SUV.The Cross Country isn't a truck; it's a car, based on Volvo's versatile V70 station wagon.Yet it boasts an elevated chassis for ground clearance, no-dent body armor to brush aside trail debris, and all-wheel-drive traction on the ground.

Cross Country can plow down rough routes to reach a backwater fishing hole or favorite camping hideout.Yet on pavement, Cross Country displays the sophisticated traits of a refined road car, with agile handling and a smooth ride quality.It's nimble, while coddling passengers in luxurious comfort.

Volvo's traditional focus on active and passive safety carries over to the Cross Country, with its safety-cell body structure and seats that react to collision forces to thwart whiplash injuries.Occupants are shielded by airbags ahead, beside and above.It's still better to avoid the crash, however, so the Cross Country provides quick steering, traction control, and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and emergency brake assist.

As a bonus, this go-anywhere wagon comes with a flat and generous cargo bay.An optional third-row seat may be added.A second-row bench splits and folds in three sections to vary the mix of passengers and gear.Most important, an electric cooler is available that plugs into the center seat section to chill your road food or beverages.