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If you want the security of all-wheel drive without the heft of a sport-utility vehicle, Volvo has an ideal compromise with its new family of V70 AWD Sportswagons.

The three models range from mild to wild:

The V70 AWD is the most serene and sensible, configured like the normal station wagon and utilizing a 2.4-liter, turbocharged engine with 190 horsepower. Price starts at $35,620.

This is the model driven for this report.

The V70 XC AWD has the same engine but sits two inches higher for occasional use on rough roads or simple trails. Price starts at $37,385.

The V70 R AWD has a 236-horsepower engine that can yank you out from under your hat. This limited-production model has an interior trimmed with alloy and upholstered in leather and suede. Price starts at $40,995.

In many ways, what Volvo has done with their station wagons is similar to what Subaru has done with the Outback: create a utilitarian vehicle with moderate off-road potential by adding all-wheel drive to a basic station wagon.

You might look at the V70 and think it resembles the 850, which it does. With 1998’s moderate redesign Volvo also changed its naming convention to reflect each vehicle’s type. Wagons are referred to with a V because they are versatile, while 70 denotes the front-wheel-drive platform previously known as the 850.

Styling has been modernized. Up front, the sloping hood and new grille slide through the wind easier and look more contemporary. All moldings and bumpers are now one color for a more unified look. The rear section remains much the same as before. Altogether, there were 1,800 changes for 1998, which is one reason the car got a new name.

Even though the V70 has been tweaked considerably, its overall shape is still fairly square, which means that you can get a lot of stuff inside. Folding down the back seat is a snap. The split-folding rear seat back flops forward at the squeeze of a single button, offering up a load floor that is wide, flat and long. I hauled two bicycles and all our gear with plenty of space left over.

In this way I found the Volvo wagon easier to use than some sport-utility vehicles with three seats because you don’t have to fool with taking out the third seat.

All-wheel-drive, or AWD, is what makes these wagons so desirable. A differential next to the transmission sends power to the rear wheels, where a viscous clutch determines how much drive goes to which end of the car based on available traction. In normal conditions, 95 percent of the drive goes to the front wheels. When traction is lost by the front wheels, as much as 95 percent of the drive can be shifted to the back wheels. And it all happens transparently.

Except for the high-powered R model, power for these wagons comes from a light-pressure, turbocharged five-cylinder engine. Under moderate throttle it feels smooth. Acceleration is accompanied by the five-cylinder’s uniquely raspy exhaust note. Under full throttle it accelerates to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds, but the harder this engine is used, the more you can feel vibrations.

The automatic transmission has Sport, Economy and Winter shift modes so you can tailor its shifting to conditions as well as your preferences.

The V70 AWD should be as surefooted as a mountain goat when the road turns slippery because of TRACS, a low-speed traction control system, and four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes, both of which are standard.

Once inside the V70 you will be surprised at how much the interior has changed. Borrowing the dash from the lovely C70 coupe is a major improvement, in terms of both ergonomics and styling. Switches are now placed more logically, knobs have rubber nibs that can be gripped with gloves and the textures and finishes are much like Scandinavian furniture.

Once you settle into the front seats you won’t want to leave because they have excellent lumbar support. Even though t se seats do not have pronounced side bolsters that you have to clamber over, they provide support in all the critical areas. Our test car’s heated seats were even more cozy on chilly mornings. All seating positions, front and back, have three-point seat belts.

Side airbags built into the front seats and a three-piece steering column that breaks away from the driver are important safety items. The rear-window brake light uses LEDs because they light faster than bulbs.

Around back, the wide liftgate pivots up out of the way for easy access to the cargo floor. Lift-over height is moderate so heavy loads are easy to manage.

With this new family of all-wheel-drive wagons Volvo is challenging the status quo and offering a station wagon alternative to folks who might normally pick a sport-utility. The price, however, is a bit steep.

Price

The base price of our test car was $35,620. Options included leather seats, fog lights, trunk lid spoiler, trip computer, wood trim, power passenger seat and compact disc player.

The sticker price was $39,665.

Warranty

The standard warranty is for four years or 50,000 miles.

Vehicles for The Star’s week-long test drives are supplied by the auto manufacturers.

Point: Turbocharged power, great seats and the security of all-wheel drive make this V70 wagon an attractive choice for buyers seeking function, versatility and safety.

Counterpoint: The five-cylinder engine turns a bit raspy when roused with full throttle, and the AWD’s prices are a bit high.

SPECIFICATIONS:

ENGINE: 2.4-liter, 5-cyl.

TRANSMISSION: automatic

WHEELBASE: 104.3 inches

CURB WEIGHT: 3,754 lbs.

BASE PRICE: $35,620

PRICE AS DRIVEN: $39,665

MPG RATING: 18 city, 24 hwy.