The 2007 Volvo V70 continues to fill the needs of active families, committed dog owners, and commuting professionals. Because of their fine taste and commendable choosiness, buyers of the '07 are rewarded with some cosmetic upgrades (in the front end as well as the interior trim) and an antiskid system that's now standard equipment in all trims.

Other standard safety features include ABS, daytime running lights, and a rear obstacle detector. Air bags are included as well for the driver and passenger, and this includes the side-curtain units as well. The passenger's can be switched off, which is the wise way to go with a smaller person (generally those 5'3" and shorter). This wagon handles wonderfully, with especially notable cornering and braking ability.

Volvo's reputation for providing a comfortable on-road experience is upheld by many conveniences that for this maker are a given. The list includes heated front seats, power mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and dual-zone air conditioning.

You'll be impressed with the cargo space, but if you need a third seat, there's that option as well. This is recommended if you need to accommodate more than four adults or teens, as the second-row seat feels cramped with three average-sized people shoulder-to-shoulder.

The list of negatives is small. Volvo as usual recommends the use of premium gasoline, so those fill-ups can seem pricey. All the same, you want to keep your brand-new beauty running that way for a long time to come, and you get a bit more miles per tank from the high-test stuff, anyway.

Some drivers complained that the backseat's headrests blocked their rear view to a degree. It's one thing if this is a driver who almost never has anyone riding back there, but if backseat passengers are the norm, then those headrests should be appreciated for their injury-reducing duty. The solo driver might readily grow accustomed to the situation by relying on the three mirrors and just plain getting used to the available view.