Girl Next Door Gets Sexy New Shape The sun was shining as usual in Costa Del Sol, Spain, an ideal backdrop for
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| The upcoming V50 Sportswagon should further enhance Volvo's new sporty image. Keep in mind though, that the waterfall grille shown here will not be part of the Canadian package, replaced instead with a sportier black eggcrate grille. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
the introduction of Volvo's much anticipated
V50 Sportswagon. It's an elegant design, similar to the stylish V70 that has done much to alter North American perceptions about the once stodgy Swedish brand and station wagons in general. Now, much because of Volvo, it's cool to drive a wagon. It's a sign of offbeat practicality, the embodiment of priorities independent of overindulging SUVs that often care little of the surrounding environment, or so the wagon mindset is often portrayed.
As I get older, now with a third child added to my home, I'm starting to like wagons for the same reasons my parents did.
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| While compact in exterior dimensions, the V50's interior is extremely spacious. Volvo's unique T-Tec upholstery is shown. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
They're practical for everyday use and much more amenable to daily driving than large, cumbersome trucks. Volvo's latest in particular, is an example of tidy packaging. While compact in exterior dimensions, its interior is extremely spacious. Ample headroom will be appreciated by the elevated set, while the car feels wider than any alternative I've tested in this class. The front seats fit me perfectly, with excellent for and aft adjustment for the small to tall among us, while those in the rear won't be compromised unless the front seats are in their rearmost positions. Then it's a tight squeeze, although the seatbacks are concave to allow for additional knee room.
