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The automobile market, at least in Thailand, has come to a point in which people's affinity towards an SUV is not hidden anymore. The brisk sales of vehicles such as the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape have shown that people like driving high-end vehicles. Although not really a genuine SUV, sales of the Toyota Fortuner too, have hit the roof.

Even bigger SUVs seem to be enjoying good sales. Volvo's large-sized SUV, the XC90, has been doing good business and company officials admit they have not been able to keep up with the demand.

But what about crossover-utility vehicles or CUV's? If it is the additional ride height, they have got it. If it is sedan-like handling, they have got that too. But as Volvo proved it to me in Sweden, they can pretty much do everything that an SUV can.

To prove what Volvos are made of, the company whisked me off to Lappland in Sweden, 150km above the Arctic Circle with temperatures dropping below 15 degrees Celsius. That is when I learned that Volvos are a tough bunch. There is a reason why these cars needed to be built tough and still are. While other carmakers test their vehicles in 30C, Volvo does it in 40C.

In terms of styling, the previous generation XC70 had excessively dark plastic all around that made it seem like some parts had an unfinished paint job. However, the new version has better design overall and a touch of silver plastic helps maintain the "premium-feel" of the vehicle.

Gone is the boxy appearance that was predominant in previous-generation model. Instead, the new XC70 has a more city-friendly look.

This Volvo is one of those vehicles that you can drive to drop your kids off  at school without letting the world know that you had been roughing it out in the national park the day before.

In the snow-covered roads of Northern Sweden - a surface I have almost no experience of driving - the 3.2-litre V6 XC70 managed superbly without much hint of body roll, while impressing off the road as well.

The insides, too, are noteworthy. The main feature is the floating centre console which is now a common feature on Volvos. Stashed behind the console is space for storing knick-knacks. The steering is four spoke and has buttons for cruise control and the audio system.

However, the GPS display's positioning obstructs the driver's field of vision - a feature I have not liked in other Volvos either.

Comfort for rear-seat passengers is high and there is plenty of space to carry load especially when you can fold down the second-row seats flat down. Besides, the XC70 features dual frontal air bags joined by front-seat side-mounted bags with curtain protection for all rows.

The rear seats come with built-in child seats that pop up and adjust seating positions for children so that the seat belts are in the right position. The fact that no other premium carmaker offers such a feature shows that Volvo designers are thoughtful about your family's comfort and safety.

Another safety feature, the Blind Spot Information System  uses cameras situated on the side mirrors to warn you if any car is in the blind spot. An orange indicator lights up on the A-pillar when a car enters the blind spot.

The Collision Warning System senses if you are driving too close to the driver in front and activates the braking system apart from alerting you with audible and visual signals.

This can be  useful if you are driving at a high speed. In Sweden, the legal limit is 110kph but I struggled to get beyond 90kph on snow. However, while overtaking a vehicle, the XC70 gathered commendable acceleration, and I imagined how good this would feel on the dry tarmacs of Thailand.

The brakes were impressive and metal studs in the tyres provided better grip in the snow.

My verdict? While testing the XC70 in its natural environment, you realise just how robust this vehicle feels. Gone are the days when Volvos derived impressions of your uncle's boxy car - just look at the C30, for example.

The XC70 should be considered seriously by those who need a versatile vehicle that truly does it all. Now who does not love a little family outing?

Vijo Varghese

The Nation