Mark Wibberley tests the latest version of a car he owns

Earlier last year my business took on a 1999 V70 AWD, the light pressure turbo 4WD version of the evergreen and archetypal Volvo estate. And very good it has proven too – capacious, flexible, tough and comfortable, with a good gearbox and meaty engine. I’m quite happy to hammer it and suspect many more will do so when we pass it on.

So I was keen to see how the car had evolved in its 10th iteration, and straight away noted that it’s become much more luxurious, more stylish and actually doesn’t feel like a car you have to buy due to need, but one you may buy through choice. Simply, it’s come on leaps and bounds, but still retains class-leading space in the rear, and actually manages the trick of being bigger but looking less bulky. The interior style is – well, to be honest, it has styling aplenty, whereas the old one was purely functional. The curves of the dash, floating centre console, rock solid materials in leather, aluminium and textured plastics feel lovely and make it a very comfortable driving machine. It’s also loaded with typical Volvo safety features and security such as laminated glass all round.

Particularly noteworthy are the electronics such as Dynamic Stability & Traction Control, Blind Sport Information Systems and Collision Warning with Brake Support – self-explanatory and reassuring. You also get all the in-car audio, comfort and convenience toys you might want – this is clearly a flagship model so everything is available.

Load space is just enormous, 1,600 litres to the roof, 840 litres just to the glass line, with Cargofix rails inside plus roof bars, fold-flat front passenger seat and a powered tailgate, plus plenty of comfort and space for rear seat passengers. You can have heated rear seats now, a two-stage booster seat, ventilated front seats – the list goes on.

From launch there is a 300bhp T6, though I expect the most popular will be the 185bhp D5 diesel, returning a huge 43.5mpg overall. Its clever filters remove 95% of soot particles, so it doesn’t look (nor sound) like diesels of old. The V70’s more aerodynamic shape helps consumption, and at the end of life it is 85% recyclable. Indeed, it the exterior styling which tells over the older model, with more complex lines, resulting in a curvaceous, refined and commodious car. Very impressed.

l V70 SE kindly loaned by Marshall Peterborough, Tel: 01733 894894.
Prices from £26,496 OTR, £27,995 as tested.