The things that make a Volvo a Volvo just seem to work better in a vehicle designed for family-oriented, all-purpose transportation. The Volvo XC90 is strong on safety, comfort and functionality, and we consider it one of the most successful vehicles Volvo builds.

For 2007, Volvo's sport-utility has been freshened with a restyled grille, bumpers and lights, and improved with new hardware under the hood. The standard XC90 is powered by a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine that's smoother, more powerful and more sophisticated than the tried-and-true turbocharged five-cylinder it replaces, and it delivers comparable EPA mileage ratings.

In the growing-family scheme, the XC90 has it all. Its styling is appealing, without shouting family mobile. It seats up to seven passengers, with more cargo space than nearly all its competitors and features that allow quick, easy tailoring for cargo, gear or people. The XC90 is not the sportiest vehicle among luxury-class SUVs, but it handles well on city streets and highways. It rides very comfortably and it's easy to park. Either of the two XC90 models can tow just about anything the typical family is likely to pull along.