1993-1997 Volvo 850: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1993-1997 Volvo 850 and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Passenger and cargo room
Cons
- Acceleration (Base)
- Automatic-transmission performance
Vehicle Highlights
Volvo replaced its 700-series with the all-new 850 GLT sedan. The new 850 broke new ground by being Volvo's first U.S. front-wheel-drive model, as well as the first ever to feature a 5-cylinder engine. Under the hood of both the base and GLT trim levels, Volvo provided the 850 with a dual-overhead-cam, 20-valve, 168-horsepower 2.4-liter 5-cylinder engine. Five-speed manual was standard; 4-speed automatic optional. Driver- and passenger-side airbags were standard, as were 4-wheel antilock disc brakes. Traction control was an option.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Volvo 850 Turbo wagon Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 7 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 6 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 46 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1993-1997 Volvo 850. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1993-1997 Volvo 850.
Year to Year Changes
1994 Volvo 850:
A new 4-door wagon joins the Volvo 850 line for 1994, along with a turbocharged engine, available for both wagons and sedans. The new wagon can seat up to seven with its rear-facing seat, and comes with a folding rear seat that has a built-in booster seat for children between 50 and 80 pounds. The new 2.3-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder comes only with an automatic, yet manages to deliver a hearty 222 horsepower. Volvo has dropped the GLT designation from the 850 line, while adding a new base-level sedan and a Level II tier of optional equipment for both sedans and wagons.
1995 Volvo 850:
Volvo's front-drive 850 is the first production car to offer side airbags as a supplement to front airbags. The new airbags are mounted in the outside bolsters of the front seatbacks and deploy in a lateral impact to help protect the chest area of occupants. The side airbags are standard on the 850 Turbo sedan and wagon and a $500 option on nonturbo models. Among other changes, the more rounded nose of last year's Turbo model now becomes standard styling for all 850s. Also, a new base wagon was added. Base models are now badged as 850s. The GLT name has been revived once again to become the upscale model. In the spring, Volvo introduced limited-edition sporty versions of the sedan and wagon, called the T-5R. Just 1000 units, all with a special yellow paint treatment, were imported. These high-performance models featured a 240-horsepower version of Volvo's turbocharged engine, 16-inch aluminum wheels, and leather seats.
1996 Volvo 850:
Following up on the popular T-5R sport sedans offered in spring '95, Volvo adds another new sporty version for the fall--a Platinum Limited Edition 850 sedan and wagon. Only about 1500 are imported for the fall, equipped with the 222-horsepower turbocharged engine, leather seats, and 16-inch wheels as the T-5R; but Volvo replaced the yellow paint with a metallic "pearl white platinum." Volvo added a second turbocharged model in the spring--the Volvo 850 R--equipped with a special Bosch engine-management system that programs the turbo to produce 240 horsepower from the same 2.3-liter 5-cylinder. All of Volvo's turbocharged models come only with the 4-speed automatic.
1997 Volvo 850:
The four models in ascending order of power output are: base, GLT, T5, and 850 R. All are available in both sedan and wagon body styles. The 2.4-liter 5-cylinder returns to power the base model, but the GLT now uses a "High Torque, Low Rev" turbocharged version that delivers 190 horsepower. The T5 features the turbocharged and intercooled 2.3-liter 5-cylinder, rated at 222 horsepower. Finally, R versions use the same engine as the T5, but employ more sophisticated electronics, which squeeze an additional 18 horses out of the engine--boosting horsepower up to 240.
Our road test for the 1993-1997 Volvo 850 includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1993-1997 Volvo 850 and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1993-1997 Volvo 850 is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
These 850s drive much like Volvo's larger 960 models, but their trimmer size and superior suspension give them truly athletic cornering ability. The suspension is firm enough to provide a stable highway ride with little bouncing and absorbent enough to soak most bumps without braking stride. The standard engine lacks sufficient torque to provide good acceleration. But the turbocharged engine is an entirely different story. The 850 Turbo wagon can sprint from stop to 60 mph in an impressive 7.1 seconds. We do have a couple of disappointments to report, however. Turbocharged engines come only with a 4-speed automatic, which is often slow to downshift when climbing steep hills. Speaking of jolts, on the Turbo versions the ride is often a bit too stiff, with excessive tire thump on rough pavement. As you'd expect from Volvo, there's plenty of head and leg room for four adults, but the interior isn't quite wide enough for comfortable three-across seating in back. The sedan's spacious trunk has a low bumper-height opening, and the wagon has a long, flat cargo area when the rear seat is folded down.
Value for the Money
Though we've not been overwhelmed by the 850, it represented a good job of breathing new life into what had become an outdated product line. With the side airbags and turbo engines, it also had more going for it than some rivals in the near-luxury market.
Though we've not been overwhelmed by the 850, it represented a good job of breathing new life into what had become an outdated product line. With the side airbags and turbo engines, it also had more going for it than some rivals in the near-luxury market.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Volvo 850 Turbo wagon Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 7 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 6 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 46 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Volvo 850 includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Volvo 850 .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Automatic transmission:
If the transmission is sometimes difficult to shift out of park, it is due to improper contact of the lockout microswitch. (1994-96)
Cruise control:
If the cruise control will not engage, the plastic vacuum supply line may be damaged in the area of the left headlight. (1993-96)
Engine noise:
Noise from the front of the engine at the drive belts may be caused by a defective belt tensioner and/or idler pulley. (1993-96)
Oil leak:
Replacement copper washers might fix oil pump leaks from mounting screws on 2.5-liter engine. (1993-97)
Poor drivability:
Starting and drivability problems may be caused by a corroded ground connection on the engine for the negative battery cable. (1993-97)
Windshield washer:
If the windshield washer does not work well, the jet can be replaced with a larger one. (1993-94)
Windshield washer:
Washer leaks at the rear window can be prevented by installing a pressure valve in the line near the upper hinge of the window. (1993-95)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $940 |
| A/C Compressor | $395 |
| Alternator | $425 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,305 |
| Brakes | $170 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $755 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $135 |
| Exhaust System | $330 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $470 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $200 |
Our price chart for this generation Volvo 850 details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1997 | |||
| 850 | $2,900-3,800 | $2,200-2,900 | $700-900 |
| 850 T-5, R | $4,000-5,500 | $3,300-4,500 | $1,300-1,800 |
| 1996 | |||
| 850 | $2,400-3,200 | $1,700-2,300 | $500-600 |
| 850 Turbo/R, Ltd. | $3,200-4,500 | $2,500-3,500 | $800-1,100 |
| 1995 | |||
| 850 | $2,000-3,000 | $1,400-2,100 | $300-500 |
| 850 Turbo R | $2,900-3,600 | $2,200-2,700 | $700-800 |
| 1994 | |||
| 850 | $1,600-2,300 | $1,100-1,500 | $200-300 |
| 1993 | |||
| 850 | $1,300-1,800 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Volvo 850 include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 104.9 | 104.9 |
| Overall Length, in. | 183.5 | 185.4 |
| Overall Width, in. | 59.3 | 69.3 |
| Overall Height, in. | 55.7 | 56.9 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3232 | 3342 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 14.7 | 67.0 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 19.3 | 19.3 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.1 | 39.1 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.4 | 41.4 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.8 | 37.8 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 32.3 | 35.2 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Volvo provides the 850 with a dual-overhead-cam, 20-valve, 2.4-liter 5-cylinder engine. It's derived from the 960's all-aluminum, 2.9-liter inline-6, and provides 168 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 162 pound-feet of torque at 3300 rpm. A second engine joins the powertrain team for '94. New 850 Turbo models feature a 2.3-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder that delivers a respectable 222 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque. Volvo also provided limited-edition sports models in 1995-96, equipped with an even hotter version of the turbocharged 5-cylinder. It cranks out 240 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 2100 rpm. The extra power is possible thanks to the Bosch Motronic 4.4 engine-management system, programmed to squeeze the maximum boost from Volvo's turbo motor. All of Volvo's turbocharged engines come only with a 4-speed automatic, while the normally aspirated units can be joined to either a 5-speed manual or the 4-speed multimode automatic, which features shift programs for "Economy," "Sport," and "Winter" modes. Starting in 1997, the GLT begins using a "High Torque, Low Rev" turbocharged version of the base engine that delivers 190 horsepower. The T5 model offers the 2.3-liter turbocharged and intercooled 5-cylinder provided on former Turbo models, rated at 222 horsepower. Finally, R versions use the same engine as the T5, but employ more sophisticated electronics, which squeeze an additional 18 horses out of the engine--boosting horsepower to 240.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I5 | 2.4 / 149 | 168-190 | 162-191 | 5-speed manual: 20/29 4-speed automatic: 20/29 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 21.8 |
| Turbocharged dohc I5 | 2.3 / 141 | 222-240 | 221 | 4-speed automatic: 19/26 | 4-speed automatic: 22.5 |
|
1. 1997 GLT models add a turbocharger to the 2.4-liter engine, which boosts the engine up to 190 horsepower. A slightly lower EPA highway rating of 27 mpg is the result. Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Sweden
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Volvo 850 include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1997 850 |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1993-1997 Volvo 850 directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1994:
Ice can form on throttle linkage, resulting in uneven throttle return or loss of low-speed engine control.
1994-97:
After prolonged exposure to heat, fuel tank on some cars may seep or leak fuel.
1995 w/power seats:
Threaded insert that attaches safetybelt catch was incorrectly manufactured and can reduce restraining capability.
1995:
Some jacks do not have the necessary load capacity.
1996-97 sedans and sation wagons:
Under excessive compression, seat cushions with heaters could short, causing a possible fire. Dealer will inspect and replace affected parts.
1996-97:
Screws that attach throttle plate to the throttle shaft can loosen, possibly preventing throttle from returning to idle position.
1997:
Operation of headlight switch over extended period of time can result in inconsistent operation.
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