1991-1998 Volvo 940/960/S90/V90: Road Test

These premium Volvo sedans provide very good passenger and cargo room, decent ride comfort, braking, and workmanship. But dropping the dual-overhead-cam engine from the powertrain lineup in '92 for the underpowered 114-horsepower engine used by the entry-level 240 dooms the base 940 to lackluster performance. Selecting the 940 Turbo is one alternative, but then you suffer with "turbo lag" waiting for the power to arrive. We prefer the smoother 6-cylinder. It gives the 960 brisk takeoffs and ensures spirited passing ability. The 6-cylinder produces sporty, aggressive tone in hard acceleration and cruises comfortably. We timed a 1995 sedan at a brisk 8.7 seconds, despite a reduction of 20 horsepower that year. Fuel economy is about average. We recorded 17.8 mpg with a 960 in mostly city and suburban commuting. On all cars, there is an excessive amount of wind noise at speed, and stiffer tires added in '95 produce additional unwanted noise and vibration over rough pavement. Suspension changes improve cornering for this large, boxy sedan, but the harsher ride makes the wagons more preferable.

Value for the Money
Base models are decent values, but both the 940 and the 960 have trouble competing now against such refined benchmarks as the front-wheel-drive Lexus ES 300 and Acura Legend. We've rated the 960 highly in most areas, helped by Volvo's reputation for safety and durability, but rivals in its price class have similar features.