2016 Volvo XC70

Historically, Volvo has been all about the boxy station wagon, so this sophisticated cubist offering will appease the traditional Volvo customer. Apparently not everybody wants an SUV, yet with only 426 XC70s wagons sold in Canada last year, we must thank Volvo for making the effort.

And traditional this all-wheel-drive wagon is, as the XC70 T5 AWD with a starting MSRP of $45,500 is the only vehicle in Volvo’s 2016 lineup that isn’t offered with the new four-cylinder Drive-E powertrains or the technology suite that includes such things as adaptive cruise and lane departure warning.

But fear not you Golden Retriever-toting empty-nesters. The proven 2.5L turbocharged inline five-cylinder with six-speed auto found in the XC70 is a fine motivator for this full-size wagon. With 250 hp and 266 lb-ft, the T5 is refined and relaxed - power comes on strong and early. It runs on regular grade gas, too (as do all Volvos save the Polestars).

The base car gets fabric seats, 18-inch alloys, City Safety, 7-inch Sensus infotainment, Bluetooth and heated front seats with driver memory.

Stepping up to the $49,150 T5 AWD Premier begets leather, adaptive digital TFT instrument display, proximity key, walnut inlays, sunroof and auto-dimming rearview mirror. Blind spot warning costs $800 and a Climate Package with heat for the back seats, steering wheel, windshield and washer nozzles with set you back $1350. Also available are integrated two-stage rear booster seats for the kiddies ($650). Active bi-xenon headlights with washers run $1100.

Although not a sharp handler, the XC70 T5 AWD wagon carries itself with a sense of reassuring solidity and extreme practicality that is equal parts mainstream and off-side quirky. An all-new and strikingly gorgeous V90 Wagon is in the wings, but traditionalists take note, the current XC70 will be the last of the boxy Volvo wagons.