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But those who are satisfied by the mere pretense of safety and an appearance of a rugged individualist do not intimate the Volvo XC70. This is the real deal. It does everything that people hope for in a sport Utility Vehicle but with reality rather than fantasy. It's hard to stand out in the parking lot of the Leawood Hereford House as this is a virtual auto show of late model luxury vehicles. These are folks that can afford to drive anything they want and they can eat at any restaurant they want. They demand more than the ordinary. The rugged good looks of the Volvo Cross Country hints that this is no ordinary station wagon and we all know the Hereford House is no ordinary restaurant. For over 44 years the Hereford House has defined Kansas City as the steak capital of the world and no one should ever visit this "cow-town" without experiencing what many believe is the best steak on the planet. Sure you can get a steak anywhere in this city, but for the real deal there are only a handful of restaurants that really represent the tradition of Kansas City steak. Volvo also celebrates fifty years of building the Sport Utility Wagon. The 1953 Volvo Duett was the answer to those who needed space and utility for fun and family. Fifty years later Volvo continues to prefect a safe near luxury vehicle that is the essence of both utility and sport with the 2004 XC70 Cross Country. The lower height profile makes this a safer and more fun vehicle to drive than a Minivan or Sport Utility Vehicle. While the all-wheel-drive Volvo Cross Country may be similar in price to the Ford Expedition most people don't realize that the XC70 has almost as much ground clearance, only 24 less horsepower and weighs almost a ton less. Unless you need the huge cargo area of a minivan, you may find this sport wagon to have all of the utility needed. Driving at highway sppeds it's hard to imagine that you have over 8" of ground clearance with an all-wheel-drive vehicle. The handing is superb and the ride is extremely comfortable. In a panic situation this vehicle could give you the control and stability necessary to avoid disaster. Most people claim that safety is an important factor in purchasing a vehicle for their family but in reality image goes a lot further than fact with many. In my opinion the 2004 Volvo XC70 Cross Country may be one of the safest vehicles on the planet built with a core of innovative safety features. Reputation is an attribute not manufactured quickly and Volvo has a reputation for safety just as Kansas City has a tradition of great steak. Rod Anderson nurtures this tradition of steak with his four Hereford House restaurants around Kansas City. Walking into the dining room you are transported back to a day of cattle, horses and the rugged individualist nature of the cowboy rancher. And whether it's seafood or steak, the Hereford House always produces a "best in class" meal. Volvo enthusiasts have always cherished their reputation as individualists, for this is not a vehicle for the rest of the herd. Not everyone appreciates the reputation for building safe tough high mileage vehicles. They would rather join in a pretentious illusion of sport and utility rather than experience the real thing. So if you are looking for an all-wheel-drive sport luxury vehicle with loads of room, capable of limited off road travel but you require a tradition of reliability and safety take a look at the 2004 Volvo XC70 Cross Country. On one of your first trips, treat yourself to another tradition, a steak from the Hereford House. You will find both traditions to be a real treat.
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Driving the Volvo XC70 Cross Country to our destination at the Hereford House we cruised through the heart of Johnson County affluence. There at Town Center Plaza an abundance of Sport Utility Vehicles and minivans populated the parking lot. Seeking an illusion of safety and a rugged individualist image, most of the Sport Utility Vehicles we saw have the same big boxy look. Not only do these three-ton monsters sustain an insatiable appetite for fuel and space, they create a hazard for those not joining in their pretentious excess.
©2003 - Stan Risener