Read Rusty Blackwell's comments on driving the 2008 Volvo XC70.
It rained during my entire Thanksgiving weekend in Dallas, Texas, but the XC70 was a rock of stability, even if I was a bit thrown off by the poor signage and abnormal highway exit ramps/service streets in those parts. Unlike crossovers such as the GMC Acadia and Mazda's CXs, the Volvo feels larger than it is, in part thanks to its huge B-pillars, thick-rimmed steering wheel, and smallish sideview mirrors; these factors make it a bit more difficult to manage in traffic.
It's not superquick, but the 3.2-liter I-6 - your only choice in the XC70 - pushes the wagon along well enough, but it's surprising that a more powerful engine isn't currently offered. (The similar S80 offers a turbocharged 3.2 and an even more powerful V-8.)
The interior is gorgeous and tight, like a more functional S80. I love the HVAC locator controls - a chromey, classy likeness of a person that is backlit by a soft green color at night. Outside, details like the large block VOLVO lettering on the tailgate and the optional seventeen-inch Sargas wheels help the XC70 stand apart from other Volvos.