The V70 2.4 is soft and smooth, a sensible vehicle that offers a strong value equation. The 2.5T is more powerful. The XC70 Cross Country is firm and actually pretty sporty, considering its off-road capabilities. And the V70R is definitely a sleeper hot rod.

The Cross Country is are Volvo's best-selling wagon, so we'll start with it. Volvo insiders tell us that active outdoors enthusiasts tend to buy the XC70 Cross Country wagon, while Volvo's XC90 SUV is more popular among urban moms hauling groceries and kids around town. (We like the Cross Country more than the XC90, but we like the XC90 better than the headline-grabbing BMW X5.)

We drove a Cross Country down the Baja Peninsula in Mexico over some of the same rocky roads used in the Baja 1000 off-road race and were impressed how well the Volvo stood up to more than 2,000 grueling miles over the course of seven weeks. Likewise, we were impressed by how well it handled the icy haul road that runs along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline to Deadhorse, the farthest north you can drive on Alaska's road system, a trip we took in February.

The all-wheel drive works wonderfully, automatically switching power to the wheels with the best grip. Most of the time the system sends power to the front wheels. Our car was fitted with the optional Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) system, which further enhanced stability.

The Four-C active suspension system is a plus as it continuously adjusts the damping rates in the shocks so that the wheels stay in better contact with the ground for improved handling while also delivering a nicer ride.

Though not designed for true off-road travel, the Volvo Cross Country can comfortably go just about anywhere that's accessible via primitive roads. Yet on dry pavement, it behaves like a sporty European sedan.

We found the least expensive Volvo V70 2.4 offers a nice smooth ride. Its soft suspension dampens bumps well. The tradeoff is that it leans in corners and the nose dives under hard braking. The base 2.4-liter engine works great on the highway, but with just 168 horsepower it lacks the responsive performance of the more powerful models. Drivers who aren't inclined to dally may find the 2.4 sluggish and slow to respond. The base model offers the regular five-speed automatic as an option, but if you're willing to shift gears, go for the manual transmission as it improves response.

The other V70 models use turbocharged engines in various states of tune and are far more responsive. They also benefit from Volvo's more sophisticated Geartronic automatic transmission. We recommend the 2.5T over the 2.4 model. For $2,320 more than a 2.4 automatic, the 2.5T gets a more sophisticated transmission, wider tires on 16-inch wheels, power seats and automatic climate control. We think this is money well spent and it may be a more desirable package when selling it.

Drivers who like the stealth capabilities of a wagon that roars will be amused by the V70R. Its 2.5-liter engine with turbocharger and twin intercoolers pumps out 300 horsepower. The engine delivers 295 pound-feet of torque with the six-speed close-ratio manual gearbox, and 260 pound-feet with the five-speed automatic. With the six-speed manual, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.6 seconds; with the automatic, 60 mph comes in just 6.5 seconds. That's quick. All-wheel drive, DSTC electronic stability control, and big Brembo brakes with four-piston calipers help the driver maintain control.

The V70R offers exceptional high-speed performance, and the Four-C active suspension makes it feel confident in all conditions. We drove one comfortably for hours on choppy, twitchy and undulating Nevada back roads. On one stretch of very remote road, dead straight with visibility for miles, we achieved a very high speed, but despite the bad road surface, the V70R was rock steady. A button on the dash allows three settings, Comfort, Sport and Advanced, which modify shock response and engine management. There are distinct differences among the three settings, and each performs exactly as defined by the buttons. The suspension is soft when passenger comfort is desired, sporty when negotiating back roads or maneuvering in traffic, and nearly flat when high-speed performance is desired.

Volvo's Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, or DSTC, employs an on-board computer and various motion sensors tied to the anti-lock brakes. This sophisticated device monitors the vehicle's forward progress and, if potentially dangerous oversteer or understeer is detected, acts automatically to correct the instability by braking one or more wheels. It's optional on most models, but be sure to order it as it can help you maintain control of the car.

All models have great brakes that are smooth and easy to modulate. The four-wheel disc brakes do a good job of slowing the car. Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) helps shorten stopping distances by directing the braking forces to the tires with the best grip. ABS kicks in when needed to help maintain stability and steering control on pavement as well as dirt.

The Geartronic automatic transmission, available for all but the base 2.4 model, works very well. Put it in Drive and the shifts come in all the right places, and they are wonderfully smooth and tight. Most of the time we left it in Drive, but the Geartronic automatic features an enjoyable manual mode. Slide the lever to the left to lock it in the manual-mode gate. Then push the lever forward to bump up a gear, or tip it rearward to shift down. The selector has a feeling of quality with short, precise movements. In manual mode, Volvo engineers show respect for the driver with almost no programming of the transmission to shift on its own. However, the manual upshifts are too slow; there's a time lag between the lever movement and the shift itself. We found it works best to wait until we were ready to accelerate before downshifting, rather than downshifting sooner to use engine braking.