Volvo 200 Series 1987-93

     The roots of this model go back to the 1967 Volvo 140.  Over the years, the front end, suspension, and the options package have been steadily upgraded.  The 200-series was the first to build up Volvo's reputation for safety and crashworthiness, though it was burned by its 1990 TV ad showing it getting run over by a monster truck and surviving largely unscathed.  It was later shown in the US news magazine 60 Minutes that the Volvo 240 used in the ad had been greatly reinforced and specially constructed for this advertisement.  The 4-cylinder engine used is adequate, but does not provide the stellar performance of most Volvos.  The ride comfort is above average and there is ample room for the occupants, as well as a roomy trunk.  Braking is short and sure, even more so with the antilock brakes available starting in 1991.  Handling is not very good, performing like a car much larger.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

114 hp I-4 Coupe

$6,176

G, A

395 kg

1.37 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

114 hp I-4 Sedan

$6,076

G, A

400 kg

1.42 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

114 hp I-4 Wagon

$6,276

G, A

615 kg

1.44 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

114 hp I-4 Coupe

231/22

64/6

73

51

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

114 hp I-4 Sedan

224/22

62/6

73

51

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

114 hp I-4 Wagon

221/21

61/6

73

51

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

 

Volvo 700 Series 1987-92

     This car was rumored to be the death of the 200 series when it first came out, but the 200 series actually outlasted the 700 series by one year.  The 700 is more angular than the 200; this makes it a bit roomier, but also makes it less aerodynamic.  The 700 is the fancier of the two cars, with more luxuries and accessories.  Several engines are available; all are responsive, but the Turbo 4-cylinder (the 160 and 162-horsepower engines) and the V-6 can be trouble-prone.  The interior room is excellent, and the ride and handling are both very good.  The trunk is large.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

114 hp I-4 Sedan

$6,076

G, A

400 kg

1.34 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

144 hp V-6 Sedan

$6,224

G, A

400 kg

1.41 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

145 hp V-6 Sedan

$6,230

G, A

400 kg

1.41 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

153 hp I-4 Sedan

$6,270

G, A

400 kg

1.43 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

160 hp I-4 Sedan

$6,304

G, A

400 kg

1.45 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

162 hp I-4 Sedan

$6,316

G, A

400 kg

1.46 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

114 hp I-4 Wagon

$6,276

G, A

620 kg

1.39 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

144 hp V-6 Wagon

$6,424

G, A

620 kg

1.46 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

145 hp V-6 Wagon

$6,430

G, A

620 kg

1.46 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

153 hp I-4 Wagon

$6,470

G, A

620 kg

1.48 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

160 hp I-4 Wagon

$6,504

G, A

620 kg

1.5 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

162 hp I-4 Wagon

$6,516

G, A

620 kg

1.51 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

114 hp I-4 Sedan

236/23

66/6

73

51

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

144 hp V-6 Sedan

279/27

77/7

73

64

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

145 hp V-6 Sedan

281/27

78/8

73

64

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

153 hp I-4 Sedan

292/28

81/8

73

68

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

160 hp I-4 Sedan

300/29

83/8

73

71

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

162 hp I-4 Sedan

303/29

84/8

73

72

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

114 hp I-4 Wagon

228/22

64/6

73

51

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

144 hp V-6 Wagon

270/26

74/7

73

64

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

145 hp V-6 Wagon

271/26

75/7

73

64

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

153 hp I-4 Wagon

282/27

78/8

73

68

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

160 hp I-4 Wagon

290/28

80/8

73

71

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

162 hp I-4 Wagon

293/28

81/8

73

72

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

 

Volvo 850 1993-97

     These vehicles drive very much like the 900 series, but with a trimmer frame, they handle better and get better performance from their engines.  The suspension provides a stable and smooth ride while also granting good handling.  It uses an unusual 5-cylinder engine; the turbocharged version is produced coupled with only an automatic transmission, which downshifts poorly and can soak up much of the power that a turbocharged engine can offer.  The Volvo 850 is long and offers much headroom and legroom, but is rather narrow and while it can seat three in the rear seat, they will not be comfortable on a long trip.  Like all Volvos, the 850 is a tough, reliable machine with many perks like being one of the few cars with side-impact airbags.  However, they are not cheap.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

168 hp I-5 Sedan

$6,624

G, A

335 kg

1.47 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

190 hp I-5 Sedan

$6,736

G, A

335 kg

1.53 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

222 hp I-5 Sedan

$6,896

G, A

335 kg

1.61 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

240 hp I-5 Sedan

$6,984

G, A

335 kg

1.67 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

168 hp I-5 Wagon

$6,824

G, A

520 kg

1.52 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

190 hp I-5 Wagon

$6,936

G, A

520 kg

1.58 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

222 hp I-5 Wagon

$7,096

G, A

520 kg

1.66 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

240 hp I-5 Wagon

$7,184

G, A

520 kg

1.72 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

168 hp I-5 Sedan

310/30

86/8

73

75

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

190 hp I-5 Sedan

337/32

94/9

73

85

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

222 hp I-5 Sedan

373/36

104/10

73

99

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

240 hp I-5 Sedan

387/37

107/10

73

107

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

168 hp I-5 Wagon

301/29

84/8

73

75

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

190 hp I-5 Wagon

327/31

91/9

73

85

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

222 hp I-5 Wagon

362/35

101/10

73

99

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

240 hp I-5 Wagon

376/36

104/10

73

107

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

 

Volvo 900 Series 1991-97

     This is another Volvo with fewer luxuries.  Unfortunately, the 4-cylinder engines don't live up to the rest of the car, from the underpowered 114-horsepower to the turbocharged 162-horsepower that tends to suffer from turbo lag, where you press the gas pedal, wait a moment, then the power arrives.  The I-6 engine offers good performance, but at the expense of fuel economy.  As with most Volvos, there is an excessive amount of wind and road noise, though handling is superb as well as ride.  This Volvo model is equipped only with automatic transmission.  Models from 1995 on have stiffer tires that increase handling at the expense of ride.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

114 hp I-4 Sedan

$6,106

G, A

355 kg

1.45 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

153 hp I-4 Sedan

$6,300

G, A

355 kg

1.54 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

162 hp I-4 Sedan

$6,346

G, A

355 kg

1.57 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

240 hp I-6 Sedan

$6,534

G, A

355 kg

1.66 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

114 hp I-4 Wagon

$6,306

G, A

545 kg

1.49 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

153 hp I-4 Wagon

$6,500

G, A

545 kg

1.58 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

162 hp I-4 Wagon

$6,546

G, A

545 kg

1.61 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

200 hp I-6 Wagon

$6,734

G, A

545 kg

1.7 tons

1+4

2

Headlights

Open

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

114 hp I-4 Sedan

220/21

61/6

75

51

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

153 hp I-4 Sedan

273/26

76/7

75

68

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

162 hp I-4 Sedan

288/28

80/8

75

72

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

200 hp I-6 Sedan

327/31

91/9

75

89

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

114 hp I-4 Wagon

214/20

59/6

75

51

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

153 hp I-4 Wagon

266/25

74/7

75

68

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

162 hp I-4 Wagon

280/27

78/8

75

72

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

200 hp I-6 Wagon

318/30

89/9

75

89

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1