For those not desirous of the extra heft accompanying most SUVs, an all-wheel-drive (AWD) wagon is a worthwhile alternative; the refreshed and re-powered 2008 Volvo XC70 is an exceptional example of that.

Volvo styling resist radical design changes.

The XC70 design evolution
Although Volvo styling has become slightly more daring over the years, they resist radical design changes. For 2008, the XC70 receives a new nose, tail and plenty of reshaped sheet metal. It also receives a comprehensive cabin makeover. Despite the totality of these significant changes, it's still an XC70 to anyone vaguely familiar to Volvo's lineup, and from a marketing perspective that makes sense.

The exterior tweaking bolsters the XC70's presence, making it more eye-catching and artistic than before. Yes, I prefer the new lines to the old but my admiration for changes to the mid-size wagon favor its new interior architecture. Cabin revisions result in an appearance that's clean and notably upscale not to mention tremendously functional and wonderfully comfortable.

My tester was shod in butter-soft leather and finished in cream hues that combined to create a soft, airy enclosure. Large slabs of glass ensured plenty of light entered the cabin while providing excellent outward visibility for the driver and passengers.

Increased functionality
On the functional side, Volvo is hard to beat. I was impressed with the rear seat, which is split into three sections: 40/20/40. This arrangement enables the insertion of long items, such as skis, through the centre 20% section while both outboard passengers enjoy independent, full-size seating. Folding one or all three seat sections is a "snap." There's no need to slide the front seats forward or remove rear seat head restraints; they simply flip down while the seat back drops flush to create a load floor that's truly flat.

The cargo bay features Volvo's Cargofix rails and sliding tie-down hooks to assist in securing awkwardly stowed items. The cargo floor can be lifted to access cleverly hidden storage pockets. Finally, shopping bags can be secured to an inner portion of the floor that pivots to 90-degrees and is fitted with hooks and an elastic belt. These are smart, innovative touches that keep articles snugly positioned, preventing the "roll and bang" syndrome we all hate when groceries escape their largely useless bags.

The cargo floor can be lifted to access cleverly hidden storage pockets.