Considerably more expensive than most of its contemporaries, the 2008 Volvo XC70 is a new breed of vehicle that is worth its price tag. Deftly combining the looks of a station wagon and the off-road capabilities of a crossover sports utility vehicle, it has everything the previous XC70 revamped: new six-cylinder engine, new platform, structures with better rigidity, and new features, such as the hill descent control.

Hill descent control is a feature that proves the XC70’s off-road mettle – it automatically utilizes the brakes and engine braking to let the vehicle go down steep and treacherous hills in a controlled manner. This is an incredible feat considering that the car weighs more than 4,000 pounds – 400 pounds heavier and 4 inches longer than its predecessor.

The XC70’s new engine is also bigger than that of the previous model. From a five-cylinder, its engine is now a naturally aspirated 3.2-liter inline six cylinder with 24 valves and dual overhead cams that is 27hp more powerful than before. Nevertheless, the heftiness of the vehicle forces this engine to use much of its might to move it: it takes 8.1 seconds for the XC70 to go from zero to sixty miles an hour. Moreover, according to government testers, its fuel economy is one of the lowest in its class at 15 miles per gallon at normal strides, and 22 miles per gallon in highway cruising.

What the vehicle apparently lacks in speed and power, it more than makes up for in ride stability, comfort, and the secure feeling it gives its passengers. Its brakes are very responsive and do not fade in hard driving. The car feels well-planted on the road; and its tires do not spin on slick pavement. Additionally, its automatic transmission system senses where power needs to be allocated and shifts it there as needed, resulting in a very relaxing ride for the driver. All of these complement the safety features that come standard in every Volvo. Anti-whiplash head restraints, side curtain air bags, and electronic stability control are but some of those features. Other safety features are optional and include children’s booster seats that allow youngsters to be positioned correctly for wearing seatbelts, and the side-view blind spot alert. Everything a safety-minded driver would want and more is in the 2008 Volvo XC70; and now, he can go cross-country with it, too.