I don’t know about you, but when it comes to 4×4 vehicles, I would take a jacked-up estate over a crossover on any given day.

Rugged estate models like the Volvo XC70, Audi A6 Allroad Quattro or Subaru Outback have similar off-road capabilities as traditional SUVs like the XC90, Q7 and Forester, but thanks to their lower center of gravity they offer both car-like driving dynamics and fuel efficiency.

Carbuyer recently drove the Volvo XC70 and found it very comfortable and refined, especially when equipped with the D4 2.0-liter five-cylinder diesel engine that produces 163PS (161hp). It feels more at ease on the open road than in the city though, because of its vague steering and the D4 engine’s slow response at lower speeds.

All in all, the XC70 is a jack of all trades and master of quite a few of them, as you can find out from the following video review.

VIDEO