Volvo practically started off the revolution in chic school-run SUVs with its XC90 - the combination of rugged off-roading looks combined with smooth on-road manners gave it a sort of Nigel Havers-as-Rambo appeal to mainly yummy mummies.
It was a bit of a departure for Volvo, used as the company is to trotting out massive estates and the odd quirky coupe every 20 years, but the XC90 really fitted in with its hopes of broadening its appeal to more buyers and moving upmarket to become something genuinely desirable and luxurious.
Impressively the XC90's sales remain healthy, although those times of huge waiting lists and premiums for young second hand models are definitely gone. Not least because other manufacturers have wised up and practically every single one of them has a sexy SUV sitting somewhere in its range.
The XC90's interior is better described as durable rather than luxurious, but everything does feel properly bolted together such that you feel the car could last forever with barely a squeak. The cabin is roomy with room for five and plenty of luggage too. There are collapsible seats at the back that make it more of a 5+2, with occasional seats should they ever be needed.
The XC90 isn't much of a driver's car on the move, but it does corner with reasonable agility and suppresses body roll as well as it can for such a tall and lanky car. The suspension is good at tuning out the worst of the road, and the XC90 really comes into its own cruising on the motorway. Refinement is highly impressive and there is only minimal wind and engine noise that penetrates into the cabin. Passengers will enjoy spending time in the XC90 thanks to the supremely comfortable seats.
The default engine is the 200 bhp 2.4-litre D5 diesel engine which manages a respectable turn of speed and an impressive - for an SUV of this size - 30mpg-plus in regular driving. The barking-mad 4.4 litre petrol engine, has now been dropped, so power-hungry types need to look elsewhere.
Keen prices maintain the appeal of this elderly design. It is getting old, but still has quite a lot to recommend it.