But even if Volvo is late to the SUV party, it makes an impressive entrance. The XC90 shows that the company has learned quite a lot through the measured evolution of its wagons. For starters, the XC90 showcases outstanding use of interior space, packing all sorts of functionality into a package that's modest for an SUV. The cabin feels cozy and spacious at the same time. The back seat isn't cavernous, for example, but on models equipped with the optional third-row seat, the middle row slides forward and back to create extra legroom wherever it's needed. Both the second and third rows fold completely flat, leaving enough cargo space to store small pieces of furniture. The rear liftgate design, borrowed from the V70, features a low split, so that when you pop the glass up there's only a low tailgate you have to reach over, which makes it much easier to move stuff in and out. Kids are at the top of the list too: On third-row models, the center section of the middle seat slides forward about a foot, so that parents in the front can more easily reach a child in an infant or car seat–an innovation borrowed from the Lincoln Aviator and Ford Expedition, produced by Volvo's parent company. And here's a completely new one: An optional integrated booster cushion that pops out of the middle row, then stows completely flush when you don't need it.

But the biggest breakthrough Volvo claims for the XC90 is a suite of safety features that make it safer, supposedly, than any other SUV. One of the biggest drawbacks of SUVs is their propensity to roll over, because of their higher center of gravity. Volvo says it has neutralized that problem with a system that senses when the vehicle is in danger of rolling over and automatically adjusts braking and engine power to keep it glued to the road. The government hasn't yet crash-tested the XC90, so the world awaits proof. But there are other convincing safety features. Side-impact airbags are standard, as are side-curtain airbags that drop down from the roofline and protect occupants' heads in a rollover. In the XC90 they reach all the way back to the third-row area, a first for SUVs. Traction control and a long list of other safety devices also come standard.

Usually, such thorough functionality comes with some kind of unappetizing tradeoff–like you have to drive a minivan or a monster SUV that can't navigate a parking lot. Not so on the XC90. It's a wonderful combination of carlike handling and SUV-style command seating. While not as sporting as the BMW X5 or the new Lexus RX330, the XC90 holds curves gracefully and is quiet enough on the highway that the driver can converse easily with kids in the third row. If there's a compromise, it's the all-wheel drive, which isn't as rugged as the off-road-capable four-wheel drive available on an Explorer or Trailblazer. But most families don't need that anyway, and Volvo even offers a less-expensive front-wheel-drive version of the XC90 that would probably suffice for many buyers. A glorified wagon it may be, but one that earns its elevated status.