A Volvo station wagon with 300 horsepower? Yes, you heard that right: 300 horsepower, and it's turbocharged. Hot-cha - the kids will never be late for soccer practice again! But this isn't the same Volvo wagon that your grandma drove. Sure, the 2005 V70 R is built to save lives just like every other Volvo before it, but now there's so much more to talk about. It's strong. It's fast. It's even kind of swank! And it's not nearly as square as it used to be.

But aerodynamic advances aside, it's still a Volvo wagon as far as the unenlightened observer can see. That's what makes it such a delight for the seemingly conservative V70 R driver who decides to peel out when the light turns green (well, within reason, of course). The active-suspension AWD wagon got 43 additional horses added to its 2.5-liter stable for this year, along with upgrades to the chassis and brakes. It bolstered its standing as a legitimate competitor with other European autos - and we do mean the ones from Germany. The wagon handles quite well, but nobody is calling this car the most agile thing on four wheels. Like its predecessors it has a considerable turning radius - there won't be any slick maneuvers in the mall parking lot. Then again, it's not a small car, and that size is what lets you take home a whole Saturday's shopping without losing your view out the rear window. But let's get to the top reason you want a Volvo: the safety. The Swedes have long earned their reputation for building great cars that save lives with their multitude of integrated features such as protective side-beams and state-of-the-art seat belts. Add to that the standard-equipment ABS, air bags (side curtain, too), and traction control, and you can be confident that you and your family will arrive in one piece. You'll get there in comfort, too. The ergonomically-designed seats have given Volvo another good reputation, and it's even better with the V70 R because leather comes standard.