After decades of being synonymous with big and boxy styling, Volvo pulled off a major surprise when the V60 hold-all rolled into showrooms.

Low and sleek, the mid-range load carrier shed plain Jane looks in favour of fresh, eye-catching lines. Subtle changes are allowing the Swedish line-up to be more competitive in the premium sector, where kerbside appeal is all-important.

A roofline that slopes gently toward the rear in a design shaped to appear more like a coupé than an estate means the most attractive Volvo yet has less space behind its rear seats than in the 3 Series Touring or A4 Avant.

However, bootspace big enough to accommodate large cases allows the V60 to be a practical solution for the growing number of fleet and family drivers who prefer sportswagon looks over maximum load potential.

In base form, the D2 is keenly priced and comes with standard equipment that includes lumbar-adjust front seats with whiplash protecting head restraints, hill-start assist, an electric parking brake, speed-sensitive steering and a rear parking sensor.

Our car comes with £5,500-worth of options which include a £1,900 driver support pack offering collision warning with auto braking, blind spot information, road sign display, auto headlights and a clever adaptive cruise control.

Then there’s auto transmission (£1,485), keyless drive (£550) and an active crystal driver’s information display (£550). Given present weather conditions, the heated front seats, windscreen and washer nozzles and headlight cleaning system in the £525 winter pack might be particularly useful.