The 2009 Volvo V70 is a carryover of the 2008 model which the Swedish automaker called "all-new, safe, practical and stylish". It was completely redone in 2008 to be "smoother, quieter and better than ever". The V70 is the Volvo flagship wagon and has continued to endure through the shifting tastes of consumers through the years of mini-vans and now bigger, heavier SUVs. The reasons for this consumer loyalty to Volvo wagons are clear: they are comfortable, very safe, highly-practical and supremely versatile.

Of course, Volvo is the world's standard for safety and that has a lot to do with continued excellent sales. Parents want their children to be safe and a Volvo does a lot to ease their minds. You just can never know when you will be involved in an accident. The 2009 V70 is the third generation, and as such, has undergone extensive changes for enhancing both safety and performance - not to mention stylistic advancements.

New and innovative safety features that are standard on the 2009 V70 include the WHIPS seating configuration which reduces whiplash in the event of an accident by allowing the seats to move and absorb shock; a blind spot warning system and adaptive child booster seating. Also, new in 2008, the V70 received a healthy serving of refreshing Scandinavian stylistic advancements including a huge cabin space and very accessible controls.

The seating configuration of the 2009 V70 is for 5 occupants. When the rear seats are folded flat, there is a whopping inside the V70. That is more than the majority of SUVs on the markets. The exterior remains familiar with the box-style profile - Volvo wants to maintain the recognizability of the V70. Still, minor changes have been implemented in order to freshen the appearance. These include a forward-sloping rear glass as well as a larger grille and headlamps. Likewise, the taillights have grown ensuring that they cannot be missed by anyone.

The 2009 V70 wagon from Volvo is powered by a new 3.2L 235hp I6 and a 6-speed automatic transmission that creates 236 lb-ft of torque at 3200 rpm. The previously-available turbocharged, AWD models have been temporarily discontinued. V70s used to run on a I5 engine and the new I6 is proving to be superior in all respects. Quick acceleration and responsive gear changes are present and drivers are reporting a lot of excitement, especially considering that we are talking about a wagon-style vehicle here.

MSRPs for the 2009 Volvo V70 range from $30,926 up to $32,900, compared to $21,995 for the Subaru Outback, and fuel efficiency ratings weigh in at 16/24 mpg city/highway, compared to the Outback's 20/26. The standard warranty from Volvo has you covered completely for the first 48 months or 50,000 miles. The V70 continues its lineage as one of the planet's most stable and enduring rides. It offers unsurpassed safety and plenty of spacious luxury as well. Test drive yours today.