FOR a motor that majors on comfort and practicality the Volvo XC60 is a surprisingly good-looking beast.

A recent revamp is responsible for bringing it bang up to date with sleek lines and a colour co-ordinated body helping create a good first impression.

The R-Design model I drove has a unique face with a frameless grille featuring high-gloss black stripes, an eye-catching metal diagonal and a natty emblem.

The lights in the outer corners reinforce a low, road-hugging feel while at the rear there are several nice touches including R-Design tailpipes.

Volvo have left no stone unturned in the quest to spruce up this SUV - even removing the visible washer nozzles out of sight under the bonnet while the headlamp washer jets now sit flush to help create a cleaner bumper line.

As you would expect from the safety-conscious Swedes, the XC60 bristles with the latest technology designed both to prevent and mitigate collisions.

As well as warning if you're too close to the car in front, leaving a lane without first indicating also earns its ire. There are also hi-tech radar sensors that update Volvo's blind spot information system to alert the driver to rapidly approaching vehicles up to 70 metres behind the car.

Road signs are shown in the instrument display and can be combined with the Speed Alert function for a visual warning if the speed limit is exceeded.

Volvo also give the XC60 corner traction control as standard to help avoid understeer by applying brake force to the inner wheels while powering the outer wheels when accelerating out of a bend, while hill descent control automatically controls the car's speed when driving down steep slopes.

This together with good ground clearance enhances the XC60's ability to tackle muddy country lanes or roads resembling rivers without turning a hair.

The overall effect of this safety-first policy for some more adventurous souls may be slightly suffocating, but for those requiring peace-of-mind motoring the XC60 ticks all the boxes.

The interior has also been upgraded with sport seats fitted as standard featuring side support that grips all the way from thighs to shoulders.

The cabin is a light airy space with a modern dashboard that bristles with information for the driver.

The rear seats are clever as they can be split three ways creating either two separate seats with an armrest in the middle or three seats with safety belts for each occupant. The seat cushions are fixed and the backrests can be individually folded when more load space is required.

The boot offers 494 litres of space up to the load cover with 655 litres available if you fill it to the roof.

With the seats folded a healthy 1,455 litres is on tap.

The high ground clearance gives a king-of-the-road driving position with little if any of the body roll in corners that normally results from a tall stance.

This is thanks to the R-Design's stiffer chassis, plus shock absorber springs and anti-roll bars adjusted and tuned to give a great deal of control and a sporty drive.

The five-cylinder diesel engine is a willing beast - ably assisted by a slick automatic gearbox - that is reasonably frugal and quicker off the mark than the 10-second plus 0-62mph time might suggest.

With an impressive kit list completing the package the XC60 should be on the shortlist for families looking for a roomy, five-seat, practical and modern SUV.