2008 Volvo XC90

The all-new Volvo XC 90 is a great pick if you have kids, pets or gear to transport but can’t quite see yourself behind the wheel of a mini-van. The all-wheel drive option is an appealing safety-feature to our family, not offered by vans and other crossovers. The engine is smaller than those which power massive SUVs, which makes the XC90 less of a gas-guzzler than larger family vehicles. I feel a bit better driving something that’s a little friendlier on the environment than more truck-like SUVs.

The XC90’s more compact size makes it easier to navigate your way into smaller parking spaces. Yet on the inside, the car can comfortably seat seven, with the option of folding down the third row of seats, both back rows of seats, or all but one of the five back seats-a handy option if you need lots of storage space and seating for just one backseat passenger.

Cup-holders are conveniently placed for all of those sippy cups and Happy Meals. Our kids enjoy dual entertainment screens with headsets: one can watch a movie while the other plays a video game and the adults up front hear nothing but sweet silence; everyone is happy!

Aside from the all-wheel drive feature-which helped to get us through a few snowstorms this past winter-Volvos are known for many other safety features. There are side air curtains, or family-friendly airbags, for little ones riding in the backseats, as well as a feature I love, called “BLIS”. This is an alert system which turns on a light on the driver’s side-view mirror when another car is in my blind-spot. The exterior lights are always on, so you’ll never find yourself in the dangerous situation of being invisible to other cars while driving at dusk.

The Volvo XC90 serves our family well: we can cart around 5 or 6 passengers when ride-sharing or fold down both back rows of seats to transport materials from Home Depot when my husband is working on one of his “projects”. It’s built tough, which makes me feel safe. I would definitely buy it again!