I'D STARTED to wonder if the traditional Volvo brick' had disappeared. Once upon a time, the boxy Volvo estate was a must-have for antique dealers and large families.

These days those ultra-practical load-luggers have fallen out of favour, replaced by so-called fashion wagons' - trendily-styled estates with barely any more carrying capacity than a normal hatchback.

Having spent a week with Volvo's new XC 70 I know now that I need not have worried.

The XC may be fashionably butch, but it remains supremely practical, at home romping across a muddy field towing a horsebox as it is filled to the roofline with antique grandfather clocks.

Like all good ideas the recipe is fairly simple: take the V70 estate, add some plastic wheel-arch extensions and a hefty body kit, pump up the suspension and bolt on four-wheel drive for a go-anywhere 4x4 wagon.

Hardly anyone ventures seriously off-road these days so who cares if the ground clearance is too modest for serious mud-plugging?

That said, the XC is actually pretty good off the road provided you are aware of its limitations.

It has Land Rover's much-copied Hill Descent Control system for calm descents on slippery slopes and excellent traction from the wide tyres.

The body kit is fashioned from black plastic so it doesn't matter too much if your body picks up the odd scrape.

The cladding offers great protection from those annoying parking knocks I seem to pick up all the time in supermarket car parks.

According to Volvo, the XC70 has better approach and departure angles than before, which means it can scramble up some pretty steep hills without ripping the sump off the fivecylinder diesel engine. It can even travel (slowly) through up to a foot of water.

And just in case your neighbours are in any doubt about which car you have just bought, both the roof rails and the alloy wheels have XC 70 logos stamped into them.

The boot is a really useful size. It is well shaped and great for carrying long objects or luggage for a family holiday.

The boot lip is nice and low and the seats fold down in the unlikely event you'll need even more carrying capacity.

Inside the cabin you'll find Volvo's trademark floating' centre console for a pinch of added drama. The controls are well placed; familiarisation takes just a couple of minutes.

However, the electrically-operated parking brake is a pain. It is hidden down by your right knee and operates with a push-pull motion.

This makes hill starts tricky and it's possible to set off without taking the brake off (although automatic disengagement should spare your blushes more often than not).

The key fob slots into the dashboard just above the air vents and you push it once to remove - the fob glides silently out into your hand.

Volvo has always taken comfort and ergonomics seriously. The leather-trimmed seats in the XC 70 offered the right amount of support for my 5ft 10in frame and there is a wide range of adjustment available.

They can blow fresh air for extra cooling in warm weather and have electric heaters that work wonders on chilly mornings.

Rear-seat passengers have their own face-level fresh air ventilation that's perfect for stuffy days. Young children, too, will appreciate the cool flow from the climate control.

All the usual Volvo safety features are present and correct, including the neatly integrated child booster seats. Staying in bed would be more risky than driving an XC 70.

The D5 turbodiesel sounds a bit gruff but pulls lustily via an automatic gearbox. It's a good choice if you plan to tow a caravan or horsebox.

Fuel economy worked out at 29mpg overall - a fair result - and the car has a touring range of almost 500 miles between trips to the forecourt.

Volvo also offers buyers a choice of its 2.5-litre light pressure turbo petrol engine which gives excellent performance at the expense of your fuel economy.

In these days of the £5 gallon I'd take the diesel every time.

I was surprised at the tidy handling. Volvo's are usually more suited to sedate driving so I didn't expect great things from a standard chassis with more suspension travel.

First surprise was the lack of body roll, but leans a bit on smartlydriven B-roads but nothing like as alarmingly as many SUVs and it so inspired confidence.

The brakes felt a bit wooden and sometimes needed a fair old stamp for a smart stop, although ultimate retardation isn't in doubt.

It may be a large car, but the brick-like shape and decent mirrors make it a cinch to park, even in a tight space.

The XC70 lacks the raised suspension and the low-range gearbox of a genuine off-roader. It doesn't have seven seats like the larger Volvo XC90.

What it is, though, is an excellent compromise.

Its competition comes chiefly from the excellent Audi Allroad, which costs a little more but offers the same attractive mix.

If you'd like the reassurance of four-wheel drive but don't want to become a social pariah then the XC is a neat way of having your cake and eating it.

There's nothing wrong with following traditional, particularly when it is a new take on an old favourite.

SPECIFICATION

Engine: 2.4-litre, 5 cylinder turbodiesel
Max power: 182bhp
0-62mph: 8.8 seconds
Top speed: 130mph
Fuel economy on test: 29.4mpg
Exhaust emissions: 193g/km
Equipment: Electric windows, power steering, premium audio, 4x4, 18-inch alloy wheels, ventilated leather seats, climate control.