Remember last winter? Cars skidding around the roads like ducks on a frozen pond? Women screaming? Men weeping? Well, it doesn't have to be like that when the big freeze hits us again - you can simply buy a Volvo XC70 and get all the 4x4 benefits without the associated guilt.The XC70 is Volvo's answer to those who like the cavernous, iconic V70 estate but actually want it bigger, stronger and sending power to all four wheels.It's jacked up too and featured under-body protetion so you can legitimately drive it into a field. It looks and feels so powerful than you can probably drive it straight through a brick wall too.There are other cars that will do a similar job - the Subaru Outback, Skoda Superb, Audi Allroad models and forthcoming Volkswagen Passat Alltrack - are all 4x4 estate cars. It's a niche that's growing as people downsize from big SUVs and seek the security of four-wheel drive.These cars may not knock your socks off with their visual elan, the XC70 is probably the ugliest in Volvo's range from the outside but step inside any modern Volvo and you're greeted with a interior that's subtle, refined and straightforward - even rather beautiful.What I like about Volvos is that they match these really good-looking interiors with hi-tech gadgetry - the best of both worlds.So while you have this elegant floating centre stack and these soft-touch materials throughout - you get cutting edge technology that uses a complex system of radars, cameras and computers to keep you safe while driving.Not to mention comfort gadgets like these heating or cooling seats that are currently keeping by backside warm.Power comes from a six-cylinder 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine that takes some time to get going from low revs, like an old bear waking up in the morning.Get the revs up, however, and there's a snarling, fast engine waiting to be unleashed - it will sprint to 62mph in 7.6 seconds and it sounds fantastic doing it.Power is 211bhp, which may not sound like a lot, but the big Volvo estate develops a hefty 440Nm of torque between 1500-4000rpm - and that means it's good for towing; this one can manage over two tonnes of horsebox, sailboat or hideous caravan - depending on what you're planning on towing.While the XC70s turn-of-pace may be startling, its driving dynamics are rather more traditional; its wonderfully comfortable but it feels rather cumbersome when cornering - the car's almost 2-tonne weight rather noticeable.Get it on the motorway and the autobox and smooth D5 diesel engine come into their own, though. If you want more comfort, refinement and speed while travelling at 70mph you need to upgrade to a train.The XC70's off-road performance is well-known. With an electronic diff, jacked-up ground clearance, tweaked traction and hill-descent system that will crawl down steep terrains there are all the toys to make sure you don't come a cropper offroad.Of course, you might think that all of this weight and performance comes at something of a penalty. But fuel consumption is 41.5mpg combined, meaning you can go well over 600 miles on a tank of petrol.CO2 is respectable at 179g/km. That means you'll pay £315 in road tax for the first year and £210 per annum therafter; company car tax is 28%, which is just over £2,000 or £4,000 per annum in this D5 SE LUx Geartronic AWD model.By now you might have noticed that the XC70 is, well, big.It's so big that you'll fit in 575 litres of luggage while three people try to attract your attention from the distance of the rear seats. Fold them down and you get 1600 litres of storage space for some serious load lugging.On the road this high-specced, all-wheel drive auto transmission XC70 costs a hefty £37,665 - but that jumps to nearly £45,000 with toys like safety kit, ventilated leather, heated seats and security pack.That's a lot of cash - but it is a lot of car, in every respect. If you want to tow upwards of two tonnes, carry over 500 litres of luggage and five people in comfort and style down a hill while it's snowing look no further.Even if your needs aren't quite so extreme the XC70 is a capable, practical and modern alternative to a big SUV.
