Any notion of Volvo wagons being dowdy suburban troop haulers – or prohibitively expensive – go out the window with the speedy, adaptable and aesthetically upstanding V50 T5 AWD. An all-wheel-drive wagon variation on Volvo’s S40 sedan (and replacement to the V40), the V50 adds considerable cargo room, exceptionally clean styling details and loads of responsive power from a 2.5 liter, inline five-cylinder turbo.

Aimed at a younger market that might have previously felt disenfranchised from the Volvo experience, this “active lifestyle sportswagon” takes a stylistic shift to the future. It also offers a pleasant, punchy and reasonably affordable alternative (ours clocked in at just under $34,000, fully equipped) for those who felt the Subaru Outback was their only automotive option. Looks-wise, it’s a whole new direction for Volvo, with a squared-off, sharkish nose, a stocky stance and a long sweeping arch that peaks mid-cabin and tapers off towards the tail. From behind, the V50 is a literal wall of brake and turn signal lights; up front, the huge three-stage headlights and halogen fog lights make for a very impressive presentation.Ours added highly polished 17-inch alloy wheels and grippy Michelin Pilot 205/50 R17 tires to round out the look and keep you connected to the pavement.

And with a load of electronic driving assistance technology (dynamic traction and stability control, dynamic sport suspension, ABS and electronic brake distribution, plus speed-dependent steering), the V50 rides with the same smoothness and security as its $40-50K relatives. The car felt completely solid with absolutely direct steering input and no excessive AWD ride; the turbocharged engine offered ready acceleration in all conditions, even during steep climbs and was only slightly compromised when we had a full load of passengers. Even though the V50 is equipped with a five-speed Geartronic automatic transmission, the engine provided enough power and made such intelligent gear changes that we never felt it necessary to second guess things by messing around with the Autostick.

All totaled, it’s a comfortable, tightly finished package that’s amply reined in by oversized four-wheel disc brakes.The V50’s interior is equipped with an equally impressive mix of functional, angular but comfortably minimalistic details and uncluttered, fully intuitive controls. Finished off in a mix of cloth, leather and plastic (plus aluminum on the door handles and that distinctive, space-saving arch that contains the audio and heat/AC controls), there’s almost nothing to complain about … well, with the minor exception of a peculiar plastic/tobacco new car smell that we attributed to an overly warm test day and the blend of materials in the cabin, but it eventually dissipated. Taller drivers will also enjoy the ample headroom.

A large, comfortable, leather-wrapped steering wheel provides fingertip cruise and audio controls; two easy-to-read, steel-rimmed speedometer and tachometer gauges are supplemented with a small information screen providing mileage, range and maintenance warnings. Four knobs control the stereo and climate system, with a litany of secondary buttons also controlling niceties such as heated seats and directional air flow. The dual-zone AC system provides fast, efficient cooling and heating with an external dust and pollen filter; an in-dash six-CD changer is pumped up by a 300-plus watt, 12-speaker, surround sound system blasting out excellent, ample sound. Seating is slightly aggressive but made for the most comfortable experience I’ve had in a car in a long time. The electrically controlled driver’s seat featured near-perfect lumbar support and anti-whiplash headrests, topped by easily cleanable, neoprene-like T-Tec fabric.

Large headrests in the back seats do obstruct rear sightlines but provide extra safety for your passengers, so it’s an acceptable trade-off.True to wagon form, there’s ample storage in the back and even more room with 60/40 folding rear seats and a folding front passenger seat. The only downside is the absolutely huge and bulky cargo area cover tray, which features yet another storage box inside; it takes up way too much space and will probably end up in your garage.We took the V50 through a variety of terrain and driving styles and still came out with a 23.8 mpg average, quite acceptable for the car’s size and performance. Blend it all together and you have one attractive and desirable vehicle, ready for winter duty and comfortable for long highway jaunts.