Thirty years ago, if you wanted a car that would be a real family load-lugger then there was only one choice. The Volvo estate was the biggest on the market, and what it lacked in finesse it made up for in sheer space.

Soon the big, dependable beasts were filling the driveways of middle England to such an extent they became a stereotype.

They were designed for people who did not care about how the thing performed or handled, as long as it could get the dog, three kids, two adults and a bike from A to B.

Of course nothing lasts forever, although it took a long time before the likes of Volkswagen and Ford followed the Volvo blueprint.

But then the competition really hotted up with MPVs and four-wheel drives muscling in offering similar levels of space with more practicality.

Volvo's response has been to diversify with dedicated estate models - the V70 and V50.

The V70 is very much in the mould of the traditional Volvo estate but the V50 has been designed to cover a few more bases for those wanting a car that does not sacrifice handling for extra luggage space.

With this in mind, I surveyed the car's exterior and noted that in recent years Volvos have become much better looking.

Gone are all traces of the heavy, slab-sided vehicles of the 1970s and 80s and real thought has gone into the aerodynamics and styling to make this a sleek, sculpted, car that sits favourably in appearance terms, at least with its many rivals.

Not all the traditional Volvo features have gone though, as I was gratified to find on parking myself on the driver's seat.

The leather upholstered chair was extremely comfortable and adjustable (manually) in all directions, including thigh support, which, as a six-footer, was much appreciated.

I was a little dubious about the presence of a two litre diesel engine under the bonnet which suggested it might have been underpowered, just like its ancestors.

But I was pleasantly surprised. During a run to Heathrow, I found myself having to rein in the car to keep it under the legal speed limit.

And it also acquitted itself well for the type of snap overtaking that is necessary on motorways these days, with plenty of power on hand to offer a reassuring surge of pace.

Meanwhile, the onboard computer was telling me I was averaging more than 37mpg which, although much lower than the official figures, was still very encouraging, given the size of the car.

Most hatchbacks would be hard pushed to deliver that blend of performance and economy.

Handling is also unlike the traditional Volvo, with sharp steering response and minimal body roll, which makes driving a pleasurable experience.

And this has been delivered without sacrificing the traditional virtue of space.

While the V50 is smaller than its predecessors such as the 245 and 740, there is still plenty of room for an entire family's belongings, or even a trip to Ikea. The seats also split, making loading more versatile.

But the trouble with the Volvo is that it still comes across as being rather dull. This is down to the drab, minimalist interior which is particularly gloomy with the off-black leather upholstery.

The SE version also had very few bells and whistles to make it more interesting. The climate control was welcome, but then most vehicles have this now.

There were no parking sensors, keyless entry or satellite navigation which are standard equipment on rival vehicles.

The trouble is, unlike before, Volvo has to survive against tough competition from Vauxhall, BMW, Volkswagen and even its stablemate Ford, with the new Mondeo.

And it is debatable whether its performance and handling are enough to set it apart from its rivals.