I IMAGINE there are people at Volvo who wish they'd somehow managed to patent the idea of the now ubiquitous Crossover.

As far back as 1997 the Swedish car-maker was producing four-wheel-drive variants of its estate cars and the XC70 has proved an excellent constant in all its guises over the years in the burgeoning crossover market.

Latterly Volvo has started to roll out that crossover concept to other cars too, notably the V40 hatchback and the V60 estate with the S60 saloon set to follow suit in terms of bridging the gap between a conventional car and an SUV.

Most V40 Cross Country models don't offer four-wheel drive but what you do get is adapted suspension, elevated ride height and some body cladding to add an element of ruggedness.

With a premium of around £1,000 over a standard V40 the extra cost represents fairly good value for money it has to be said.

The cladding makes for appealing looks, the added height makes for a great driving position and view of the road ahead while the revised suspension set-up significantly improves both comfort and driving dynamics.

If you do want four-wheel drive you'll need to plump for the top of the range 250bhp 2.5-litre diesel engine but if your budget will stretch it might be worth going the extra mile, if only for the added reassurance, enhanced dynamics and winter coping capabilities it brings.

Styling modifications over the standard V40 add much when it comes to the car's presence and stature. The heightened hatchbook has an appealing profile, though to be fair it's already a nice looking car.

Enhancements include silver roof rails, bigger bumpers and metal skid plates.

The interior is identical to the regular V40 with Volvo's stylish and minimalist approach still looking fresh, contemporary and alluring.

There's an air of premium quality throughout and the distinctive ‘floating' centre stack oozes Scandinavian sophistication.

Its stylish looks impede on the V40's practicality a little, due to its sloping roofline, so the boot at 335 litres isn't the biggest and headroom in the rear is slightly curtailed, as is the amount of space a passenger in the middle seat will enjoy.

That said it offers a more than comfortable experience if four people are travelling.

The adapted and heightened suspension of the Cross Country further improves the V40's already decent driving dynamics.

On occasion Volvo has fallen short compared to premium segment rivals when it comes to delivering quality drivers' cars.

But here it seems to have got things right with a driving experience I could find little fault with.

The 2.0-litre diesel engine delivers power seamlessly and smoothly and helps make for a car that is both enjoyable and rewarding to drive.

The V40 also scores highly for safety. Not only did it receive five stars in its Euro NCAP crash test but actually singled out by Euro NCAP as the safest car it has ever tested. Safety systems include an auto brake function a pedestrian airbag.